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The complexity of co-teaching in the secondary science classroom: a case study

L. R. Goulet, Donna L. Ross

Frontiers in Education | Jun 12, 2026

Abstract

Abstract

To understand the experience of secondary science co-teachers implementing new science standards, the roles they assume in the classroom, and the degree of parity they exhibit in their work, we examined one pair of co-teachers in a case study via questionnaires, video and audio recorded lessons, and teacher interviews. Specifically, this research addresses the following questions: (1) What roles do secondary science co-teachers assume in the classroom when implementing new science standards? and (2) How do the demands of the new standards affect the experiences of co-teachers? In this pairing, the co-teachers lacked parity, or equal status, due to a lack of preparation for the partnership and the complex content, skills, and knowledge needed to teach the new standards. They also lacked time and structure to plan for teaching throughout the year, resulting in greater role disparity. Each partner's respect for the work of the other did increase over the academic year. There is currently little research about how science standards influence the co-teaching environment, this study is meant to add to this discussion.

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Authors

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L. R. Goulet

first

Donna L. Ross

last | San Diego State University | ORCID 0009-0006-3433-5740

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Citation

BibTeX

@article{Goulet2026complexity,
  title = {The complexity of co-teaching in the secondary science classroom: a case study},
  author = {L. R. Goulet and Donna L. Ross},
  journal = {Frontiers in Education},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.3389/feduc.2026.1693373},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2026.1693373}
}

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