Implementation of the Universal Measures of Decree-Law n.º 54/2018: teachers' perspective

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the Universal Measures recommended in the D.L. n. º 54/2018, regarding their desirability and feasibility, as well as their frequency and the percentage of students to whom they are implemented. To achieve this purpose, a questionnaire was developed consisting of educational responses consistent with the UDL and Universal Measures, built based on the D.L. 54/2018 and in the reference instruments/documents from the Directorate-General for Education. The final version of this 47-item questionnaire was determined after being evaluated by ten experts (i.e., teachers from different educational degrees, special education teachers, higher education teachers) and a pilot administration to ten teachers. The online questionnaire was sent to Clusters of Schools and teachers across the country, and 118 responses were obtained.

The results of the study show that teachers reported values of Desirability statistically higher than the values of Feasibility for the dimensions Universal Design for Learning (t(117)=11.84, p<0.001, d=1.09), Pedagogical Differentiation (t(117) =11.74, p<0.001, d=1.08) and Curricular Accommodations (t(117)= 11.55, p<0.001, d=1.06). Furthermore, teachers with more years of experience tend to consider universal measures as less feasible and to implement them with a smaller percentage of students.

The implications of the study will be discussed based on the inclusion paradigm, emphasizing the contribution of Universal Measures to the promotion of equal opportunities for access and participation in the classroom context and, thus, to contribute to the quality of teaching.