Blog 2 UDL

I do believe that the current focus of high stakes testing is what is disabling our classrooms and not allowing us from fully implementing the principles and potential of the universal design for learning (UDL). The current curriculum in the public school system is solely focused on rote learning and memorization, which is required for students to score high on statewide standardized testing. The Maryland public educational system today, at least in the testable subjects of English, Reading, and Mathematics, is only focused on making sure students get a good grade on the MSA or HSA. It is not about learning and comprehension, it is about memorization, which totally hinders the principles and promises of UDL.



UDL focuses on the idea of reviewing the current curriculum and finding the strengths and weaknesses of the current system in order to correct any problems. The UDL system isn’t about locating each individual student’s strengths and weaknesses, which I believe is a problem with UDL. It is impossible to find a curriculum that will fit the need of every single student, in every single school across the United States of America. We need to not only focus on our current curriculum’s shortcomings, but also the needs of all of our students. People are individuals and therefore all their needs are different as well. The challenge of UDL is embedding its principles and ideas into all areas of our curriculum. The final challenge is to not only find the strengths and weaknesses inside our current curriculum, but also in our students as well. This can ensure that all our students are learning to the best of their ability.