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Case Study

Lowell Elementary's Data-Driven Approach to Inclusive Learning Environments

Lowell Elementary is a diverse urban school in Seattle where students from all over the world with varying strengths and challenges come together to learn and grow academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. As part of Seattle Public School's inclusionary project, Lowell Elementary was selected as an "Early Adopter" school. Together, our team at Novak Education, led by Pam Tupy, collaborated with a joint goal of creating an inclusive learning environment for all students and  educators through the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and Restorative Practices. 

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We began with a mindset shift towards the idea of collective efficacy and the belief that we can do more when we all put our brains together, and that our students belong to all of us.

Jess LaChapelle Lowell Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher

Results At a Glance

47.8 %

Dramatic Attendance Gains

The share of students averaging fewer than two absences per month rose from 40.9 percent in Spring 2022 to 88.7 percent in Spring 2024.

20 %

Significant Growth for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities in the 3rd-grade cohort improved from a 17th percentile growth ranking to 37th percentile by year-end.

28 %

ELA Growth Exceeds Target

Using localized MAP-based tool, 54 percent of all students met their mid-year ELA growth targets (up from 26 percent in the previous testing window).

 

 


 

The Process

1. Conduct Needs Assessment & Build Capacity

Spring 2023 - Fall 2024

In partnership with Lowell’s brilliant principal and Tier 1 leadership team, we conducted a comprehensive audit of existing systems—reviewing key documents, leading instructional walkthroughs, and facilitating focus groups with staff and students.

Insights from this audit drove a targeted capacity-building plan in which principal-led leadership and Trailblazer coaches immersed themselves in UDL and MTSS frameworks.

This work forged a shared vision and language for inclusive practice across the school.

2. Pilot & Professional Learning

Fall 2024 - Ongoing

Guided by Lowell’s principal and Tier 1 leadership team, cross-functional groups focused on three high-leverage UDL areas:

  • Co-designing clear, standards-aligned objectives with student-friendly success criteria;
  • Developing flexible materials and instructional methods—like choice boards, digital tools, and manipulatives—that meet diverse learner needs,
  • Restructuring the master schedule to embed dedicated intervention blocks for timely, targeted support. 
These initiatives were reinforced through monthly PLCs and coaching cycles championed by school leadership, where UDL look-fors drove classroom observations and feedback, creating refined practices and internal exemplars poised for school-wide scale.

3. Data-Driven Refinement & Scale

Fall 2024 - Ongoing

Guided by a live dashboard, quarterly data huddles - co-facilitated by the principal, interventionists, specialists, and administrators - examined fidelity and outcome metrics.
 
Insights from these sessions informed iterative adjustments to professional development, resource allocation, and scheduling.
 
By anchoring UDL/MTSS strategies in continuous-improvement cycles led by Tier 1 leadership, Lowell has embedded a culture of data-driven, inclusive practice that promises long-term impact.
Snapshot of Inclusion at Lowell A Student Story-1

The Impact

The collaborative efforts of Novak Education, the Lowell Elementary staff, administration, and community partners have helped to create a successful start towards driving significant improvements in inclusive education:

Inclusive Access for All: UDL-aligned objectives and flexible methods ensured every learner—regardless of IEP status—received the right support at the right time.

Collective Educator Efficacy: Cross-role teams met regularly to co-review data and refine instruction, fostering shared ownership and consistent practice.

Sustainable Sytems Change: By anchoring our work in live progress-monitoring tools and structured leadership support, Lowell now has a replicable model for continuous improvement.

How It was Achieved

A Strategic Framework for Sustainable Change

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Lowell Elementary worked closely with Novak Educational Consulting to develop and implement a structured, data-driven approach to advancing inclusive education. The initiative focuses on three key areas:

Defined Goals and Success Criteria

The school created clear goals for student outcomes in learning environments and 3rd grade reading proficiency, with specific metrics and timelines for achievement.

Collecting Evidence to Inform Decisions and Impact

Staff engage in regular data review cycles at least every six weeks to examine student progress, adjust interventions, and ensure accountability to common assessments and material use.

Driving Continuous Improvement

Through staff development focusing on inclusive practices, restorative practices, and co-teaching frameworks, Lowell Elementary is building capacity for long-term success and systemic change.

By embedding inclusive education into school-wide systems, Lowell Elementary is creating lasting changes that benefit students, educators, and the community. Their success underscores the power of strategic leadership, professional development, and collaborative problem-solving in transforming educational practices.

 

Ready to see the difference. Contact us to discuss your district's needs and how our program can help you achieve your goals.

 

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