Classroom Menus for Supporting the Academic Success of Diverse Learners

In the fairy tale Goldilocks, a young girl enters the home of three bears. As she explores the porridge, chairs, and beds, in each situation she is seeking what is "just right." It seems that Goldilocks is the perfect metaphor for describing learners experiencing universal design for learning (UDL) as it highlights the importance of learner agency. However, who is in charge of designing the bear's home to ensure that all that is needed is in place? The teacher's role in implementing UDL is a topic that has been woefully understudied. This article describes critical practices needed to help teachers design the UDL buffet in ways that provide meaningful support for diverse learners to be successful in achieving high academic standards within the time constraints of the curriculum.