I wanted to share an update about exciting work we have been engaging in over the past year at the Diverse Learners Cooperative.
During the 2024-25 school year, we partnered with Nashville’s STRIVE Collegiate Academy Charter School to improve diverse learners’ access to Tier 1 academic instruction in the general education setting by implementing the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. The DLC and STRIVE created a case study to celebrate our collaboration.
The DLC and STRIVE’s partnership began with an onsite needs assessment to understand baseline performance of teachers and coaches in implementing UDL principles and set partnership goals. STRIVE’s leadership selected focal classrooms to gather observational data, and used that information to generate suggestions for all classrooms. The needs assessment consisted of classroom observations using a UDL rubric, staff surveys, and leader interviews.
From there, we created 3 goal areas. We wanted to see growth in:
- Teacher mindsets about inclusive practices
- Teachers’ skills in implementing UDL practices
- Student learning
To achieve these goals, the DLC provided quarterly school-wide professional development and leader coaching on the principles of UDL. Additionally, the DLC and STRIVE leadership conducted walkthroughs of focal classrooms in the fall, winter and spring using the UDL rubric. STRIVE and the DLC selected three target areas for growth within the UDL framework: Collaboration and Community, Flexible Methods, and Flexible Materials.
As STRIVE’s Executive Director LaKendra Butler shared, “What benefits one student, is going to benefit all… and we know that’s going to change the trajectory of all students.”
This work is a prime example of our vision: to provide teachers with high quality resources and collaborative learning experiences that increase best practices for diverse learners. The Diverse Learners Cooperative is more committed than ever to improving teacher and student experiences through our School and System Partnerships. We hope you will watch this video and share it with your colleagues and networks. Every school, teacher, and student deserves access to partnerships like this in order to improve diverse learner outcomes.
If the DLC can support you in increasing equitable instructional access for all learners, please let us know.
In gratitude,
Brooke Allen