What strategy should a general education teacher use when working with a special education teacher for a student with a disability?

The best strategy for a general education teacher working alongside a special education teacher is to confer regularly to ensure that classroom and resource activities support each other. This collaborative approach fosters a shared understanding of the student's needs, strengths, and challenges. By maintaining open lines of communication, both teachers can continuously align their teaching strategies and interventions, ensuring that the student receives consistent support both in the general education setting and during specialized instruction.

Regular collaboration allows teachers to share insights and data regarding the student's progress, discuss effective teaching methods, and coordinate lesson plans that integrate tailored strategies for the student’s learning requirements. Such teamwork enhances the educational experience and can lead to better outcomes for the student, highlighting the importance of partnership in addressing individual educational needs.

Other strategies, like only communicating at scheduled meetings, may limit the opportunity for necessary real-time adjustments and responsiveness to the student’s evolving needs. Keeping information confidential from other teachers can isolate the student’s support, preventing a cohesive educational team from forming. Discussing the student’s needs with the principal, while sometimes necessary, does not replace the day-to-day collaboration between the general and special education teachers that is critical for the student’s ongoing development and success in the classroom.