NYSTCE Students With Disabilities Practice Test

Which collaborative approach allows for teaching the same topic to students in smaller, ability-based groups?

1. Station teaching

2. Cooperative learning

3. Parallel teaching

4. One teach, one observe

The correct answer is: Parallel teaching

The collaborative approach that allows for teaching the same topic to students in smaller, ability-based groups is parallel teaching. In this model, two or more teachers instruct the same content to different groups of students simultaneously, often divided based on their skill levels or learning needs. This allows for tailored instruction that can cater more effectively to each group's specific abilities and challenges, enhancing engagement and understanding. Parallel teaching fosters an environment where students can receive more focused attention, as the teacher-to-student ratio is improved. By being grouped according to their abilities, students can work at a pace that suits them, ensuring they grasp the material before moving on. This approach also allows for differentiation within the classroom, as educators can modify the content, process, and products based on the needs of each group. In contrast, station teaching involves various learning stations where students rotate and engage in different tasks or subjects, which may not necessarily cater to the same level of ability within each group. Cooperative learning emphasizes collaboration among students in diverse groups to achieve common goals, rather than focusing on ability-based instruction. The one teach, one observe model allows one teacher to instruct while the other observes and collects data, but does not inherently involve tailored instruction for different ability levels in a collaborative manner.