Summary: | The achievement gap between typical and special education students has been
explored in scholarly circles to understand how to implement universal design for learning
(UDL) to ensure that all students are achieving at the highest levels possible through an
inclusive educational environment. Universal design seeks to support all students to the
maximum extent possible in the general education environment through the framework of
multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement being integrated
into the curriculum. This qualitative, explanatory case study sought to examine how
administrators can best support high school math and science teachers in implementing
universal design to close the achievement gap in math and science through the disability
theory. The study includes survey of six teachers (three math and three science),
semi-structured interviews of four teachers (two math and two science) with assessment
artifacts, and an observation in one math and one science classroom. This study advances
three major findings. Administrators need to find and support professional development for
high school math and science teachers in: (1) Aligning the curriculum with the framework of
UDL to provide multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement; (2)
Planning and pedagogical practices; (3) Assessment. Through these findings and the
literature, this study has proposed that teachers and administrators use the Four Shifts
Protocol as an ongoing discussion guide for developing meaningful and authentic curriculum
for the math and science curriculum that meets all students' needs. Second, that PLCs should
be around the exploration of current assessment data to determine the area(s) of the
curriculum where the largest achievement gap exists. Third, that the instructional coaching
model needs to be re-examined to focus on closing the achievement gap through shifts in
instructional practices based on the Four Shifts Protocol. Fourth that more math and science
teachers should attend conferences and workshops outside of Moe High School to learn from
the experts in the field. Teachers should all engage with online PLCs on Twitter to expand
the conversation beyond the walls of Moe High School. Last, that administrators should
redesign faculty meeting time using the EdCamp model to focus on continued professional
learning of all staff to support students with disabilities.--Author's abstract
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