UDL

Education & Academia abbreviation · K-12 Education

UDL
Stands forUniversal Design for Learning
CategoriesEducation & Academia

UDL stands for Universal Design for Learning, a K-12 education abbreviation.

Framework for designing lessons and curricula that offer multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression, so that learners with different needs can access the same content without separate adaptations. It was developed by the nonprofit CAST.

Example: Following UDL, the teacher offered the reading as text, audio and video and let students choose how to show understanding.

Usage notes

The idea borrows from universal design in architecture, such as curb cuts that help everyone. CAST, founded in 1984, released UDL Guidelines 3.0 in 2024. The Every Student Succeeds Act and the Higher Education Opportunity Act both reference UDL.

More K-12 education abbreviations

  • 504 plan – Section 504 plan
  • ADA – Average daily attendance
  • ARD – Admission, Review and Dismissal committee
  • AVID – Advancement Via Individual Determination
  • AYP – Adequate yearly progress
  • BIP – Behavior intervention plan
  • BOE – Board of education
  • BTSN – Back-to-school night
  • CAS – Creativity, activity, service
  • CCSS – Common Core State Standards
  • CEP – Community Eligibility Provision
  • CSE – Committee on Special Education

See all 96 K-12 education abbreviations →