Equity by Design: Delivering on the Power and Promise of UDL / Edition 1

by Mirko Chardin, Katie R. Novak

Overview

When it comes to the hard work of reconstructing our schools into places where every student has the opportunity to succeed, Mirko Chardin and Katie Novak are absolutely convinced that teachers should serve as our primary architects. And by “teachers” they mean legions of teachers working in close collaboration. After all, it’s teachers who design students’ learning experiences, who build student relationships . . . who ultimately have the power to change the trajectory of our students’ lives.

Equity by Design is intended to serve as a blueprint for teachers to alter the all-too-predictable outcomes for our historically under-served students. A first of its kind resource, the book makes the critical link between social justice and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) so that we can equip students (and teachers, too) with the will, skill, and collective capacity to enact positive change.

Inside you’ll find:

• Concrete strategies for designing and delivering a culturally responsive, sustainable, and equitable framework for all students
• Rich examples, case studies, and implementation spotlights of educators, students (including Parkland survivors), and programs that have embraced a social justice imperative
• Evidence-based application of best practices for UDL to create more inclusive and equitable classrooms
• A flexible format to facilitate use with individual teachers, teacher teams, and as the basis for whole-school implementation

“Every student,” Mirko and Katie insist, “deserves the opportunity to be successful regardless of their zip code, the color of their skin, the language they speak, their sexual and/or gender identity, and whether or not they have a disability.” Consider Equity by Design a critical first step forward in providing that all-important opportunity.

“Our calling is to drop our egos, commit to removing barri­ers, and treat our learners with the unequivocal respect and dignity they deserve.”

~Mirko Chardin and Katie Novak

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544380247
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	08/20/2020
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	209,439
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Mirko Chardin is the Founding Head of School of the Putnam Avenue Upper School in Cambridge, MA. Mirko's work has involved all areas of school management and student support. His greatest experience and passion revolves around culturally connected teaching and learning, recruiting and retaining educators of color, restorative practice, and school culture. He delivers keynotes across the nation on equity, social justice and personal narrative. He is also a race, diversity and cultural proficiency facilitator & leadership coach for the Aspire Institute at Boston University’s New Wheelock College of Human Development. He is a principal mentor for the Perone-Sizer Creative Leadership Institute, a Trustee at Wheaton College and is an active hip-hop artist.

Katie Novak, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned education consultant as well as a practicing leader in education in Massachusetts. With 17 years of experience in teaching and administration, an earned doctorate in curriculum and teaching, and seven published books, Katie designs and presents workshops both nationally and internationally focusing on implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and universally designed leadership.

Table of Contents

Prologue vii

Acknowledgments xi

About the Authors xv

Chapter 1 Universal Design as an Instrument of Change 1

The Power and Promise of Universal Design for Learning 1

Connecting UDL and Social Justice 9

Concrete Examples and Strategies 17

Chapter 2 Laying the Groundwork for Social Justice in Our Classrooms and Learning Communities 25

Concept Stabilization: Defining Social Justice in Your Context 26

Concept Calibration: Now That We've Defined It, What Does It Look Like? 29

Identity Development: Who Are We, and What Do We Believe? 34

Equity Audit 41

Take Action and Next Steps 42

Chapter 3 Social Justice Through Collaboration and Community 47

Intentional Learning Communities 47

Evidence-Based Intentional Learning 54

Going Beyond Access 55

Cogen Dialogues 57

Optimizing Student Voice 62

Chapter 4 Personalized Learning for Equity 65

The Design Process 65

Universal Design as Design Thinking 69

The Power of Student Voice 76

Supporting Executive Function Through UDL 80

Chapter 5 Identity, Mirrors, and Funds of Knowledge 85

Embracing Funds of Knowledge 94

Funds of Knowledge Activities 95

Facilitating Conversations That Peek Into Mirrors and Windows 100

Exploring Identity and Diversity Through Writing 105

Chapter 6 Cultural Responsiveness and Equity 113

UDL as a Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning 113

Sustaining Culture Through Relationships 115

Sustaining Culture Through Community 120

Culturally Responsive Curriculum Design 128

How to Navigate Holidays in an Equitable Way 130

Chapter 7 Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices 139

Restorative Practice to Uphold High Expectations 141

Restorative Practice Continuum 142

Restorative Practice in Action 145

Chapter 8 A Student's Journey 157

The Early Years 157

Encounters With Authority 160

Appendix A 165

Appendix B UDL Progression Rubric 167

References 175

Index 181

Editorial Reviews

"Equity by Design will promote usefulness for teachers and students through its research based foundation and practical applications. It is thought provoking!"

Melanie Sitzer Hedges

"This book offers a powerful and concrete pathway for educators to incorporate social justice in curriculum development, teaching strategies and practices. Readers meet an array of educators who put these ideas into practice and learn many ideas for creating an equitable and inclusive school. "

Becki Cohn-Vargas

Equity by Design is critically relevant for educators of today’s youth, the leaders of our future global society, to understand how our work influences their place in the world.

Lisa Graham

"M any teachers and educators are struggling with the concept that 'teaching is a political act.' Many want to know, “'s that my responsibility to teach about social issues that are often controversial?' Equity by Design will allow educators to be reflective and introspective. It is a practical, realistic and useful guide and workbook."

Paul Forbes

"Social justice should be the pursuit of every school, institution, organization and individual. The authors have demonstrated how UDL (Universal Design for Learning) can be the technique by which social justice is achievable. Their text makes clear that simply having a social justice lens or desire is insufficient; action is what is needed. From culturally responsive teaching, to restorative justice, to the design process, to navigating holidays, Novak and Chardin provide clear rationales, practical strategies, explicit examples, and next step actions for every educator interested in a just society. "

Wendy Murawski

"Now, more than ever, equitable education is of the utmost importance. Equity by Design is a great tool for getting those hard conversations started.

Kelsey Pretzer

"Equity by Design is a must-read for anyone engaged in educating young people. It does a phenomenal job of identifying the barriers that many students face, as well as how educators can help students overcome these barriers. "

Melissa Miller