Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for designing curricula and learning environments that allows all students to reach the same high goals by reducing barriers and providing rich learning support. UDL is based on 30+ years of research on how the brain learns and categorizes these findings into three broad principles:

1. Multiple Means of Representation: Presenting information and content in different ways to accommodate diverse learners.
2. Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Allowing students to demonstrate what they know in various ways.
3. Multiple Means of Engagement: Engaging students by tapping into their interests and motivation.

UDL reduces the time needed for making modifications and accommodations. It provides flexible instructional materials, techniques, and strategies, increases student engagement, and addresses the diversity of learners at the point of curriculum development. Often, the challenges of differentiated instruction can be addressed through a UDL approach first.

UDL Coaching

CREC provides school staff with a customized series of professional learning opportunities, professional coaching, facilitation, support, resources, and tools needed to assist districts throughout the UDL implementation process. The UDL implementation process is not a set of protocols that everyone follows in the same way. CREC can assist districts in identifying the structures within their system to scale and optimize UDL implementation.

UDL facilitators can guide and help sustain key system-level changes. Coaches use a collaborative team approach to build educator expertise in lesson planning and instruction.