A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1934742384 ISBN 13: 9781934742389

Publisher: Harvard Education Press, 2009

Synopsis

This policy reader comprises a notably wide range of articles that address the challenges and opportunities facing policy makers as they consider UDL’s implications for federal, state, and local policy.

A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning includes essays that place UDL in the context of the education field as a whole and that examine how UDL might inform pressing contemporary discussions about accountability and access to the curriculum. The volume also sheds light on various assistive technologies. It concludes by considering contemporary assessments of student learning and teacher effectiveness, and points to how they might be improved through UDL and by expanding opportunities for learning to more young people.

A timely and much-needed volume, A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning brings UDL to the center of discussions about contemporary education policy and reform.

About this title

About the Author

David T. Gordon is director of communications at CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology), where he is helping to launch a National Center on Universal Design for Learning. At Harvard University (1999–2004), he edited the award-winning Harvard Education Letter, winning a National Press Club Award for distinguished reporting and analysis of the national board certification program for teachers. He has been a college writing instructor at Emerson College (1998–1999) and a staff editor, writer, and researcher for Newsweek (1989–1997). Gordon is the editor of three previous books for Harvard Education Press, including A Nation Reformed? American Education 20 Years after A Nation at Risk.

Jenna W. Gravel is a research associate and instructional designer at CAST, where she has played a central role in the development of CAST’s UDL Guidelines. Her expertise in education policy and her experience in special education serve as a foundation for her work. Before joining CAST, Jenna was a middle school inclusion specialist in Malden, Massachusetts and a staff assistant for the Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston, an advocacy group for parents of children with disabilities. She is certified in special education from preK–12. She earned an MEd in education policy and management from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BA in government and Spanish from Colby College.

Laura A. Schifter is a doctoral candidate in the Education Policy, Leadership, and Instructional Practice program at Harvard Graduate School of Education where she is studying the experiences of and policies related to students with disabilities. Prior to attending Harvard, Laura served as an education fellow for Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in Washington, DC and taught elementary school in San Francisco. Laura earned an MEd in mind, brain, and education from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BA in American studies from Amherst College.

From the Back Cover

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) stands at the forefront of contemporary efforts to create access to education curricula for all students, including those with disabilities.

This timely book comprises a notably wide range of articles that address the challenges and opportunities facing policy makers as they consider UDL’s implications for federal, state, and local policy. The essays place UDL in the context of the education field as a whole and examine how UDL might inform pressing contemporary discussions about accountability and access to the curriculum. It concludes by considering contemporary assessments of student learning and teacher effectiveness, and points to how they might be improved through UDL and by expanding opportunities for learning to more young people.

“The use of UDL principles will ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn. These principles are not only helpful for students with disabilities but they benefit all students by increasing understanding and engagement. An important discussion of needed policy changes, A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning will help us incorporate these valuable elements into teaching diverse learners.” — Dennis Van Roekel, president, National Education Association

“This is a must-read collection for all those who want to understand the genesis and evolution of policy thinking about universal design for learning. One of the most exciting developments in pedagogy in a quarter century, UDL is an essential tool to improving teacher preparation, curriculum design, classroom instruction and assessments. This is a definitive work.” — Madeleine Will, former U.S. assistant secretary of education; parent advocate

“UDL has the capacity to profoundly remake our education system. This book is an essential primer on UDL and an exhortation for deployment of UDL into the mainstream of education policy.” — Stephen P. Crosby, dean, McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston

David T. Gordon, Jenna W. Gravel, and Laura A. Schifter work at CAST, the Center for Applied Special Technology.

From the Inside Flap

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) stands at the forefront of contemporary efforts to create access to education curricula for all students, including those with disabilities.

This timely book comprises a notably wide range of articles that address the challenges and opportunities facing policy makers as they consider UDL's implications for federal, state, and local policy. The essays place UDL in the context of the education field as a whole and examine how UDL might inform pressing contemporary discussions about accountability and access to the curriculum. It concludes by considering contemporary assessments of student learning and teacher effectiveness, and points to how they might be improved through UDL and by expanding opportunities for learning to more young people.

"The use of UDL principles will ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn. These principles are not only helpful for students with disabilities but they benefit all students by increasing understanding and engagement. An important discussion of needed policy changes, A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning will help us incorporate these valuable elements into teaching diverse learners." -- Dennis Van Roekel, president, National Education Association

"This is a must-read collection for all those who want to understand the genesis and evolution of policy thinking about universal design for learning. One of the most exciting developments in pedagogy in a quarter century, UDL is an essential tool to improving teacher preparation, curriculum design, classroom instruction and assessments. This is a definitive work." -- Madeleine Will, former U.S. assistant secretary of education; parent advocate

"UDL has the capacity to profoundly remake our education system. This book is an essential primer on UDL and an exhortation for deployment of UDL into the mainstream of education policy." -- Stephen P. Crosby, dean, McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston

David T. Gordon, Jenna W. Gravel, and Laura A. Schifter work at CAST, the Center for Applied Special Technology.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning includes essays that place UDL in the context of the education field as a whole and that examine how UDL might inform pressing contemporary discussions about accountability and access to the curriculum. The volume also sheds light on various assistive technologies. It concludes by considering contemporary assessments of student learning and teacher effectiveness, and points to how they might be improved through UDL and by expanding opportunities for learning to more young people.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harvard Education Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1934742384
• ISBN 13: 9781934742389
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Gordon David T., Gravel Jenna W., Schifter Laura A.