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DLM First Forty and the Universal Core Vocabulary Sort

This project began with a desire to identify the vocabulary words that were most important to support the success of beginning communicators participating in the Dynamic Learning Maps® alternate assessments in English language arts and mathematics. Through the years, the list first led to the development of the DLM First 40 and eventually to the Universal Core vocabulary for Project Core. The resulting Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) and Universal Core Vocabulary Sort is a list of words that have been determined to be highly useful for communicating in both social and academic contexts. The words are listed in rank order of utility based on a variety of factors that are fully explained in The Universal Core Vocabulary Technical Report.

Columns on the spreadsheet include the following:

Column ACore vocabulary words
Column BPriority score – A score derived through this project to indicate the utility of the word. A larger number indicates greater utility.
Column CAAC Core – A score of 1 indicates that the word appears on one or more AAC core vocabulary lists from the research and/or on a commercially available AAC system that features core vocabulary.
Columns D—GDLM Essential Elements that require the expressive use of the word. The listed Essential Elements come from the lowest grade level where the word is required, and the list is not exhaustive.
Columns HCollege and Career Readiness Standards that require the expressive use of the word. The listed College and Career Readiness Standards come from the lowest grade level where the word is required, and the list is not exhaustive.

Links of Interest

Archived DLM Project Publication – Dynamic Learning Maps Core Vocabulary Overview paper

DLM Project Presentation – Journey to the Core: Developing a Core Vocabulary for the Common Core presented by Dr. Penelope Hatch, Allison Dennis, and Marlene Cummings at the 2013 ASHA Conference in Chicago, IL.

Universal Core Vocabulary Open-Source Formats (Project Core: 2015 – Current)

For more information on current core vocabulary research and development efforts, visit Project Core