Accommodations
Changes to how a student accesses the curriculum that do not alter what the student is expected to learn.
Accommodations are changes to how a student accesses instruction and demonstrates learning — they do not change what the student is expected to learn or the level of rigor. Common accommodations include extended time on tests, preferential seating, access to audio books, large-print materials, breaks during long tasks, and the use of a word processor.
Accommodations belong in the IEP and are binding on every teacher the student sees, including general education teachers and substitutes. If an accommodation is listed on an IEP and is not provided, the district is out of compliance regardless of whether the teacher was aware.
Distinguish accommodations from modifications: a modification changes what the student is expected to learn (a shortened assignment, alternative content), whereas an accommodation changes only how they access it.
Related terms
- ModificationsChanges to what a student is expected to learn — the curriculum itself is altered, not just how the student accesses it.
- IEPA legally binding written plan for a student with a disability that spells out the specialized instruction and services the school will provide.
- 504 PlanA civil-rights plan under Section 504 that provides accommodations for a student whose disability substantially limits a major life activity.
Managing Accommodations day-to-day?
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