In recent months, the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) has been at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative, leading a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Advisory Group. Comprised of both internal and external partners, this group embarked on a mission to explore and evaluate California’s infrastructure in supporting UDL in education. The resultant memo synthesizes their findings and recommendations, underlining the need for a strategic, systemic approach to UDL’s expansion in California. This blog will delve into the key insights from the memo, outlining the path towards a more inclusive and effective educational system in the state.

Understanding the UDL Landscape

The UDL Advisory Group’s work was informed by collaborative efforts between CCEE and pivotal organizations like the California Coalition for Inclusive Learning (CCIL), Open Access, and Supporting Inclusive Practices (SIP). In addition, empathy interviews with frontline educators and practitioners were conducted, offering a comprehensive view of the UDL landscape in California’s education system.

Four Critical Areas of Discussion

The data collection and analysis led to the identification of four critical areas that require attention and action to drive UDL forward in California:

• Awareness: The first area of concern centers around educators’ awareness of UDL and its significance within the existing instructional systems in California. Do educators understand the “why” behind UDL and how it fits into the broader educational framework?

• Alignment: Is there a coherent alignment between the state’s support system and the foundational concepts of UDL? Are California educators equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively implement UDL principles in their classrooms?

• Application: Are educators provided with statewide systems that motivate, prepare, and consistently support the incremental application of UDL in their classrooms? Do existing educational systems facilitate or inhibit the adoption of UDL-style instruction?

• Assessment: How can educators measure the effectiveness of UDL implementation at various levels, from the classroom to the district? To what extent are existing assessment measures universally designed to accommodate diverse learners?

The Call for Action
The memo concludes with a resounding call to action for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in California’s education system. The recommendations are as follows:

• Develop a Coherent Vision: Policymakers are urged to prioritize a strategic, systemic approach to UDL’s expansion. This includes crafting a compelling vision for implementing UDL in California, emphasizing its coherence with best instructional practices and tiered levels of support.
• Support Flexible Resources: Promote, encourage, and fund the development of curriculum and resources that align with UDL principles. These resources should be flexible and supportive, catering to diverse learning needs.
• Align Timelines and Evaluations: Align timelines and evaluations of existing state funding initiatives with a focus on UDL. Facilitate collaboration and integration between these initiatives to ensure a cohesive approach to UDL implementation.
• Enhance Best First Instruction: Shift the focus of future initiatives towards enhancing best first instruction and supporting the whole child. Avoid relying solely on special education as the primary application of UDL.

The release of the UDL memo by the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence is a pivotal moment in the state’s educational landscape. It highlights the urgent need for a systemic transformation that embraces Universal Design for Learning as a core principle. By addressing the areas of awareness, alignment, application, and assessment, California can create a more inclusive, equitable, and effective education system that empowers all learners to thrive. The call to action provides a clear roadmap for policymakers and educators to follow as they work towards this important goal. It’s time for California to lead the way in reimagining education for the 21st century.