During a recent Board of Education meeting in Pickerington Local, Ohio, significant concerns were raised regarding the effectiveness of special education strategies at the middle and high school levels. The discussion highlighted two primary approaches currently in use: co-teaching and replacement classes.

Co-teaching involves a special educator and a general educator collaborating in the same classroom. While this strategy increases the number of teachers present, it does not enhance the amount of instructional time students receive in core subjects like math, science, or social studies. This raises questions about the overall effectiveness of co-teaching in providing adequate educational support.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the issue of replacement classes, where some students with mild to moderate disabilities are placed in separate math classes led solely by a special educator. This approach has been criticized for not covering the full curriculum and lacking the rigor found in general education classes. As a result, students in these replacement classes may miss out on essential core instruction, further impacting their educational outcomes.

The discussions underscored the need for a reevaluation of current practices to ensure that all students, particularly those with disabilities, receive a comprehensive and challenging education. The Board's commitment to addressing these issues signals a proactive approach to improving special education services in the district. Moving forward, stakeholders will be looking for actionable steps to enhance instructional strategies and better support students' learning needs.