2017 UDL Symposium

New Hampshire has determined that it is possible to develop a deeper understanding of how to use the principles of Universal Design for Learning to educate underserved learners, and to embrace new philosophical ideas from which to design for social justice based on concrete plans to put into action in which networks of educators will unite to ensure that learning has no limits for every student.

The New Hampshire Department of Education’s NH Vision 2.0: - A Blueprint to Scale Competency-based Education across a PreK-20 System,” is a culmination of intensive planning where we pushed ourselves to answer the question: What would need to be true in New Hampshire to prepare all of our students for the complex future that awaits them?

Within the New Hampshire Department of Education, the NH Office of Student Wellness is committed to the development of the whole child. The Office of Student Wellness works, in collaboration with local communities, school districts, and individuals, to support students as they become fully productive members of society.

Student Wellness is the recognition by which schools, districts, and educational professional concur that there are many factors that impact a student’s academic attainment. The dimensions of wellness include: Emotional, Personal, Intellectual, Physical, Environmental, Occupational and Social factors.   

The New Hampshire Department of Education promotes family and student voice via meaningful partnerships between school/district personnel, parents, students, and community members. This is   based on evidence based and culturally responsive practices that include principles of effective partnerships.  

The New Hampshire Department of Education’s Frameworks for Universal Design for Learning and Family and Student Voice build the foundation to continue to engage districts to implement  current initiatives including the New Hampshire Accessible Educational Materials (NHAEM); the New Hampshire Universal  Design (UDL) Academy; The New Hampshire Assistive Technology Initiative; The New Hampshire UDL Rural Teacher Literacy Project, and the New Hampshire State Pyramid Model activities to improve outcomes for preschool children with disabilities and their families.

In order to leverage change and to maximize and sustain state and local efforts in all of this justified work, the New Hampshire Department of Education created a Universal Design for Learning State Plan Network to provide technical assistance and training to educators and families regarding federal statues, policy guidance, and evidence based practices based on the implementation of the principles of Universal Design for Learning and the five phases of Universal Design for Learning implementation based on the National Center for Universal Design for Learning.  The Network builds  state and local capacity to implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles based on a valid framework for guiding educational practice that provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient and those with accelerated learning needs.

Measureable Goals: Examples of anticipated outcomes and UDL Considerations

Participants will be asked prior to the conference questions they might have about how to implement a UDL State plan that addresses social justice to support youth as they become fully productive member of society. 

Participants will learn the essentials of identifying stakeholders, generating common goals and collaborating to explore , implement and sustain work to connect  UDL and Family ad Student Voice to be the vehicle design for social justice based on concrete plans to put into action, and networks of educators who will unite to ensure that learning has no limits.

Participants will acquire information about the UDL State Network and Office of Student wellness and the Family and Student Voice Project so they can explore both entities  potential to be implemented in their schools, districts, and states.

Participants will actively engage with a staff from the New Hampshire Department of Education: New Hampshire Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut, Mary Steady Administrator of the Office of Student Wellness and Mary Lane from the Bureau of Special Education to hear their successes, struggles, and problem solving solutions  to promote and sustain change  designed to unite social justice and UDL to ensure that learning has no limits.

Participants will increase their knowledge of UDL and Student wellness to identify their needs and develop goals and processed to begin their journey.