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Lesson 8: Putting It Altogether for the Twice-Exceptional Student

Designing A Process for Collaboration

Collaboration describes how teachers work together, not what they do. (Friend & Bursuck, 2002)

Key elements for general education, gifted and special education teachers working together:

    • Shared goal:  success of 2e student both academically and emotionally

    • Partnership that evolves over time

    • Process not product

    • Team that supports one another to:

      • develop appropriate instructional plans

      • differentiate instruction

At the beginning of the school year:

    • Meet with all stakeholders involved with student both previously and currently to:

      • Review program goals set for the student

      • Emphasize that both exceptionalities must be addressed

    • Share the need for a collaborative process with principal to gain their support.

    • Meet with student and guardians to learn about their personal goals/expectations.  Explain how collaborative process works.

Collaborative Partnerships among Teachers of 2e Students.  Kennedy, Higgins and Pierce. 2005

Flow Chart for Collaborative Partnerships

Support the Classroom Teacher:

  • Learn about classroom structure, teaching styles, expectations

  • Provide suggestions to expand curriculum for students

    • Find appropriate materials

    • Work together to design and develop a differentiated curriculum

    • Provide support for modifications

  • Develop a schedule for collaborative planning

  • Collaborate on creation, implementation

  • Partner in evaluation of process using data gained from:

    • Direct observation in classrooms

    • Interviews of teachers, students and guardians

    • Samples of student work (process and product)

  • Create a Student Profile:
  •  Create a Learning Profile 

    • Put together a learning profile for the student with detailed notes on how they learn, both their weaknesses and their strengths, and update these as more information comes in from assessments. 

    • The Student Study Form suggests data that will be helpful to best serve the student.

Adapted from “Supporting Twice Exceptional Students in the Classroom” by Amanda Drury, July, 2017