Date

Summer 8-11-2024

ESRP 9000 Professor

Gina L. Peyton, Ed.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Gina L. Peyton, Ed.D.

Executive Summary

Implementing Universal Design for Learning-Focused Quality Teaching Rounds: A Strategic Research Project. Jessica L. Alfone, 2024: Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: Universal Design for Learning, inclusion, Quality Teaching Rounds, Special Education, professional development, professional learning communities.

This strategic research project was designed to shift the paradigm of inclusive education by providing effective professional development to enhance the capacity of teaching staff members in meeting the diverse needs of all learners. The organization analyzed is a large school district located in suburban central New Jersey. To determine a problem of focus for the strategic research project, a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-strengths (SWOT) analysis conducted to thoroughly examine the internal and external factors of impact within the school district. From this analysis, it was determined that the most poignant issue facing the organization was the high number of out-of-district special education placements. To address this issue, four potential solutions were identified: (a) implementation of Universal Design for Learning-Focused professional development, (b) expansion of resources to support inclusion, (c) fostering of strong parent-school partnerships for inclusion success, and (d) enhancement of co-teaching efficacy. Ultimately, the solution selected was implementation of Universal Design for Learning-Focused professional development.

Based on the selected solution, two strategies for implementation were explored: (a) Universal Design for Learning-Focused instructional coaching model and (b) Universal Design for Learning-Focused Quality Teaching Rounds. A Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) was then employed to determine which strategy was more attractive in relation to the organization. The strength of each strategy was weighed against the initial 40 factors from the SWOT analysis. The Universal Design for Learning-Focused Quality Teaching Rounds strategy received the higher attractiveness score on the QSPM with a total score of 4.92. Quality Teaching Rounds merge two powerful professional development concepts of instructional rounds and collaboration of educators through professional learning communities. The job-embedded, sustained, and collaborative nature of the Quality Teaching Rounds model can serve to expand teacher-capacity in Universal Design for Learning principles and practices. To implement this strategy, an action plan was developed to outline the steps of the initiative and ensure that the implementation was carried out with intention and fidelity. Future recommendations include continual building of stakeholder understanding and buy-in of the paradigm shift in inclusive education, in addition to intentional progress-monitoring of the initiative’s impact over a longer period as statistics related to the initially identified problem, an escalated number of out-of-district placements, will be a lagging statistic.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Concentration

Curriculum and Teaching

Language

English

Download
Share Feedback

Share

COinS