Equity by Design
Delivering on the Power and Promise of UDL
“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
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.
Also From Corwin:
- Hammond/Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain: 9781483308012
- Moore/The Guide for White Women Who Teach Black Boys: 9781506351681
- France/Reclaiming Professional Learning: 9781544360669
"Many 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."
"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."
“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.”
"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."
"Equity by Design will promote usefulness for teachers and students through its research based foundation and practical applications. It is thought provoking!"
"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."
"Now, more than ever, equitable education is of the utmost importance. Equity by Design is a great tool for getting those hard conversations started.