Overview
There are three different ways to work with students across classes: co-teacher access, multi-class enrollment, and Priority Groups. Choosing the right option matters. When used correctly, students see clear expectations and avoid unnecessary workload. When used incorrectly, it can create overlapping training, duplicate assignments, and confusion. This article will help you determine which option best fits your situation and avoid common pitfalls.
Quick Guide
- Co-Teacher Access → Shared instructional responsibility for an entire class
- Multi-Class Enrollment → Separate classes with separate Membean requirements
- Priority Groups → Monitoring specific students without assigning work
Co-Teacher Access
Adding a co-teacher gives another teacher full access to the entire class and the ability to assign or manage work. A co-teacher has nearly all the same permissions as the primary teacher (with the exception of deleting the class).
This option is best for when teachers share instructional responsibility for the same group of students. This includes situations where both teachers:
- Need access to all (or most) students in the class
- May assign quizzes or writing assignments
- May adjust settings or make accommodations
- May change training expectations or cycles
Why not just create a second class? In true co-teaching scenarios, creating a separate class can cause problems. Students will receive double training expectations. Quizzes and assignments can become duplicated. Grading and progress tracking gets confusing. Co-teacher access prevents those issues by keeping everyone in one shared class environment.
Multi-Class Enrollment
Students should only be enrolled in multiple classes if each of the classes assigns Membean work (training, quizzes, and/or writing).
Here are a couple examples where multi-class enrollment makes sense:
- Credit Recovery + Current Course: a student is retaking English 1 for credit recovery while also enrolled in English 2. Both classes assign Membean work.
- English Class + ELA Elective: a student is enrolled in their regular English class and an ELA elective (such as Creative Writing), and both assign Membean work.
In cases like these, multi-class enrollment ensures each teacher can assign work, monitor progress, and grade accurately. Students will clearly see expectations for both classes and complete work accordingly.
Priority Groups
Priority Groups allow you to monitor specific students without assigning any work. Students in a Priority Group do not receive additional training expectations, quizzes, or writing assignments. They remain fully enrolled in their original class, and you simply gain visibility for tracking purposes.
Common use cases include the following:
- A support facilitator or intervention specialist tracking student progress
- An ESL coordinator monitoring vocabulary growth
- A guidance counselor checking engagement and performance
- A homeroom/study hall teacher responsible for giving students time to complete training
Comparing Priority Groups and Multi-Class Enrollment
This chart will help you decide if Priority Groups or Multi-Class Enrollment is best for you.
| Priority Groups | Multi-Class Enrollment | |
| Purpose | Monitor students across classes without assigning extra work | Student belongs in multiple classes and complete training in each one |
| Student Dashboard | Unchanged | Separate expectations and work for each class displayed |
| Training Goals | Unchanged | Separate goals for each class |
| Quizzes & Writing | Unchanged | Separate quizzes and writing assignments for each class |
| Best For | IEP/504 tracking, support facilitators or intervention specialists, ESL coordinators, homeroom or study hall teachers | Classroom teachers assigning Membean |
| Set Up | Any teacher at the school | Rostering-enabled schools (automatic) or any teacher at the school |
If you're still unsure, reach out to us at support@membean.com.