Mentor School

Mentor School Showcase: Pine Valley Elementary School

Co-Teaching Model

School: Pine Valley Elementary School
District: Pine Valley Central School District
Grade Level: Elementary
Region: West (RFF contact)

Video: Scott Burdick, principal

Demographics

• Grades: Elementary
• Enrollment: 331
• Needs/Resource Category:
• Free & Reduced Lunch: 54%
• SWD: 11%
  

Racial & Ethnic

• White: 98%
• Black or African American: 1.5%
• Other: 0.5%

Co-Teaching - Key Elements: Leadership

Practice Description

• Pine Valley Elementary School began using the co-teaching model in 2003. The practice was initiated due to NYSEDs push for SWDs to receive instruction at the greatest possible extent with their non-disabled peers.
• The majority of SWDs remain at PV Elementary to benefit from the Scientifically Based Research strategies and tools that are utilized within the co-teaching model. Seventy-seven percent of the elementary students who have IEPs are in integrated co-taught classrooms.
  

Planning and Making It Work

Just Starting Out

• Any new initiative or practice within a building takes time, planning and collaboration to ensure its success. The teams at Pine Valley Elementary school have worked diligently to make co-teaching an effective practice within the building to ensure success for students.
• This slide includes a video-clip of two teachers that began co-teaching during the 2010-11 school year. They share their concerns, fears and how they are planning and making it work.

Co-Teaching In Action

In the Classroom

• On a typical day, there is one special and one general education teacher. In addition, there is one teaching assistant.
• During the attached video, students from a local college, SUNY Fredonia, are present to observe and learn.
• Large group instruction typically begins the day followed by small, interchangeable groups.
• Both ELA and Math occur in this setting with a musical, movement break in between subjects to rejuvenate the minds.

Co-Teaching Perspective From a Classroom Teacher

This video seems to be unavailable (please check to make sure you have javascript enabled AND the Flash Plug-in installed on your browser).

A Veteran Teacher's Perspective

• Lisa Gallivan has been providing special education services to Students with Disabilities (SWDs) for 17 years.
  
• She has been co-teaching for 3 years.
  
• She believes that Integrated Co-Teaching is the most viable option to provide services to SWDs.
  

Data Based Decision Making

Data Collection & Analysis

• AIMSweb
• Early Literacy, K and 1st
• Early Numeracy, K and 1st
• RCBM, 2nd - 6th
• MAZE, 3rd - 6th
• MCOMP, 2nd - 6th
• MCAP, 1st - 6th