Fears of UDL

Today at St. Peter we were discussing the metrits of Universal Design for Learning. The perception of UDL from Elementary - High school ranges from relief to fear.

Here is the overview of UDL-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Design_for_Learning

The elementary teachers saw the possibilities that exist when you stop labeling students with disabilities and start watching for their strengths. Leaning on their strengths for growth in learning and in growing other strengths will be easier than the up hill battle of ‘fixing’ their problems.

The high school teachers’ first fears were that UDL will move us away from successful PAT results. I guess they think that skill and drill practice has no place in gaining successful PAT results. I need to get to know some high school teachers better (my mom doesn’t count). I am always confused at their strong resistance to learn new things; like they expect their students to do.

I guess the best way to get them is to use their strengths to help them grow as teachers. So where do we start?

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