Introduction
The Washington State Learning Standards outline the learning goals for every student, ensuring that ALL can progress and demonstrate proficiency in prioritized standards for their grade level. With this vision, WA’s Learning Standards center ALL students. When environments are intentionally designed to reduce barriers, all learners can engage in rigorous, meaningful learning across content areas. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a core approach to supporting every learner access and make meaningful progress in grade level standards by focusing on changing the environment's design and instruction rather than to change the learner. In addition to setting UDL as a foundation practice, the Washington State Learning Standards utilize Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity,& Inclusion (CCDEI) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as pedagogical approaches to support comprehensive, transformative, and proactive teaching and learning that recognizes the academic and socio-emotional needs and strengths of ALL students.
The intention of Planning for All Learners is to support educators in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt instruction to the diverse and evolving needs of all students. Rather than focusing on categories of support students may be eligible for or receiving, this information emphasizes the importance of understanding and responding to individual learning needs as the hallmark of effective teaching. Students often have intersecting and varied needs, and many instructional strategies can benefit a wide range of learners. High-quality instruction is characterized by its flexibility, intentionality, and responsiveness to the full spectrum of student strengths and challenges.