Our Caseload Ratio team has created an alternative approach to deciding caseloads by incorporating the Bowling Green State University’s model on co-teaching in the classroom.  Regular education and special education teachers have been paired to team teach classes in which there is the most need for special education support based on student achievement, students with disabilities and need for modification, and students involved in the RTI process.  Additionally, Maritime Academy has partnered with BGSU to model their co-teaching at the student teacher level.  Throughout this school year BGSU has brought five student teachers to Maritime Academy to be a part of the co-teaching process and reduce teacher-student ratios.

The professionals being studied are regular education teachers and intervention specialists, with the focus on teachers of core courses.  Teachers provide feedback through surveys, anecdotal notes, and monthly meetings as to how their caseload responsibilities have changed once co-teaching was implemented.  Student progress is measure by classroom grades, participation, and state testing scores, as compared to the baseline data gathered at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.  Parents, students, and staff provide feedback to the caseload ratio team by filling out surveys specific to the co-teaching model. 

The Case Load Ratio grant is in the second year of implementation.