Continuous growth
In addition to the cohorts and zones, our district pairs general and special education teachers together in collaborative and co-teaching models to support UDL- and Common Core-aligned learning goals.
In our collaborative model, many of our students who need additional supports stay in mainstream classrooms and receive individualized support through lessons designed to address their learning styles and needs. A special education teacher works with several general education teachers in and out of the classroom to ensure all students are progressing. For core subjects of math and English, the district uses a co-teaching model. A special education teacher is paired with one general education teacher and is in the classroom 100 percent of the time.
To ensure support is provided on an ongoing basis, technology plays a critical role in providing resources that are available 24/7 and accessible to students with varying abilities and skill levels. The district uses an LMS (Learning Management System) in order to share resources. UDL lessons and resources are curated by teachers and posted in the system for anyone to use. The district also employs a variety of apps and software, such as Gizmos, Achieve 3000, and will be using Math180 to reach students through auditory, kinesthetic and visual learning and demonstrate mastery in ways that make sense to them. For example, Learning Upgrade, an online math and reading curriculum, uses catchy songs and fun games with text to address Common Core standards in a relatable way.
The district’s collaborative culture and teaching approach further enables educators to adapt to new technologies. We encourage teachers who are reticent to try one thing first, whether it be an instructional strategy or an app, and master it before moving on to the next in order to build their confidence and comfort level. As the district expands its one-to-one program beyond the middle school grades, this mindset will become ever more important.
Christine Fax-Huckaby is a Special Education Academic Support Teacher (SEAST) in the Sweetwater Union High School District in California.
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