Universal Education

1
Universal Education
March, 2006
2
Michigan Board of Education Charge
June, 2003 Prepare a draft position paper on
universal education that will include principles,
statutory alignment, and vision for the education
of all infants, toddlers, children and youth
including diverse learners such as those with
disabilities and others who require special
supports, to achieve desired educational outcomes.
3
Diverse Composition of the Universal Education
Referent Group
Within education General and special
educators Administrators Curriculum
specialists Higher education faculty Related
service providers Parents Recent graduates School
board
Leaders from fields of Education Public
health Mental health Juvenile justice Social
services Representing all geographic regions of
the state of Michigan
4
Universal Education
In October 2005, the State Board of Education
approved the Vision and Principles of Universal
Education as a framework and foundation for
policy development by the State Board, the
Department of Education, and local and
intermediate school districts. The principles of
Universal Education reflect the beliefs that each
person deserves and needs a concerned, accepting
educational community that values diversity and
provides a comprehensive system of individual
supports from birth to adulthood.
5
Universal Education Vision
Every individuals success is important to our
society. Each person deserves and needs a
concerned, accepting educational community that
values diversity and provides a comprehensive
system of individual supports from birth to
adulthood. Universal Education removes barriers,
provides flexible and responsive supports, and
facilitates life-long learning for all.
6
Universal Education Vision
In order to support the learning of ALL in
achieving desired educational outcomes,
there must be

• A learning community
• A learning environment
• Culture
• Resources
• Adult and student learning

7
Universal Education Principles

• WHO The learning community...
• Values diversity
• Engages working partnerships in removing all
  barriers
• Recognizes the essential roles of
  families/primary caregivers
• Involves a broad base of stakeholders that
  influence public policy and practice

8
Universal Education Principles

• WHAT The learning culture...
• Creates a safe and accepting learning environment
  in partnership with families and community
  characterized by mutual support, respect, and
  responsibility.
• Is guided by a commitment to educational
  excellence, democracy and social justice (equity)
  to create a sense of belonging.
• Honors the rights of all students to learn
  together.
• Supports and facilitates learning for all from
  birth through adulthood

9
Universal Education Principles

• WHAT The learning resources...
• Assure access and provide support
• Create flexible instruction and learning
  environments
• Support policies and practices to prevent
  learning problems
• Promote leadership to guide continuous improvement

10
Universal Education Principles

• HOW Adult and student learning...
• Ensures effective educator preservice and ongoing
  professional development.
• Implements effective, instructional practices,
  moving the student from the edge of competence
  forward.
• Uses student performance and growth data
• Ensures student assessment based on growth in
  addition to broad, standardized tests or
  benchmarks of achievement.

11
Universal EducationVision and Principles

• A Policy Framework
• To align all policies with these principles
• To measure decisions and target outcomes
• To ensure optimal learning opportunities and
  outcomes for all

12
Potential Applications of Universal Education

• Teaching/Teacher Education
• Policy
• Individual Learning Plans
• Parents/Family
• Administrative

13
Potential Applications of Universal Education

• Teaching/Teacher Education
• Review teacher training programs, teacher
  certification processes, and approved
  professional development opportunities and
• Align with the framework, using the framework to
  inform, guide and support teaching practices

14
Potential Applications of Universal Education

• Policy
• Guide development of education law and
  regulations
• Evaluate educational policy initiatives and
  decisions at state, regional/ISD and local
  levels
• Set standards for quality education throughout
  the state and
• Tie education program funding or other financial
  incentives to compliance with principles.

15
Potential Applications of Universal Education

• Individual Learning Plans
• Establish Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for
  all students and
• Guide course and program planning for students.

16
Potential Applications of Universal Education

• Parents/Family
• Empower parents
• Support more family involvement in education
• Enhance diversity in schools
• Support more meaningful community involvement
  and
• Provide a lens for parents selecting a school or
  district.

17
Potential Applications of Universal Education

• Administrative
• Help schools develop a local school vision and
  school culture
• Support the school improvement process and
• Serve as a benchmark for quality education for
  each and every student.

18
Universal Education aligns with

• The State Board Strategic Goal
• The Michigan High School Initiative
• The Lieutenant Governors Commission on Higher
  Education and Economic Growth
• Education YES!
• Continuous Improvement and Monitoring System
  (CIMS)
• State Performance Plan (SPP)
• School Improvement Framework
• Universal Design for Learning

19
Current State Board Applications

• Proposed teacher certification requirements
• Criteria for approval of Institute of Higher
  Education teacher preparation programs
• School Improvement Framework and Tools
• Education Technology Plan, 2006-2010

20
A Current MDE Application
MI High School Initiative Student Support
Intervention Action Team

• The Universal Education document accelerated its
  work.
• The Graphic
• reflected the array of students of concern.
• identified critical partners to be involved.
• The Principles
• served as an established foundation for the
  teams emerging recommendations.
• outlined types of supports needed for students to
  achieve high standards.
• supported the provision of resources for staff to
  help students achieve high standards.
• promoted leadership among stakeholder groups to
  guide continuous improvement.
• supported student assessment based on performance
  and growth in addition to standardized tests and
  achievement benchmarks.

21
State Performance Plan
Another Current MDE Application

• The Universal Education Vision and Principles
  support and link to these SPP indicators
• Graduation Rate
• Drop Out Rate
• AYP, Assessment Participation and Achievement
• Facilitated Parent Involvement
• Least Restrictive Environment

22
Universal Design for Learning
Another Current MDE Application

• HOW the Vision and Principles of Universal
  Education can be implemented to facilitate
  students learning and progress
• Strategies
• Accommodations
• Technology
• Assistive technology
• Emerging new technology

23
Reach and Teach for Learning
Another Current MDE Application

• The Universal Education Vision and Principles are
  being used in this new MDE initiative
• Purpose is to improve learning outcomes
• Hard to reach and/or
• Hard to teach students
• Middle and High School Building Teams
• Commitment to sustained involvement
• Reorganize systems and practices at the
  secondary level
• Diverse core planning team

24
Universal Education Public education's
responsibility to each and every student in all
educational settings, with support from all
stakeholders
Youth in Transition
Family
Community
Neighborhood Schools
Learning Style Differences
Home Schools
Non-Public Schools