The terms accommodations and modifications are commonly used when children have a 504 plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP). While the two words might sound similar and often you may see them incorrectly used interchangeably, they have very different meanings. Show
If you need some clarification on the differences between accommodations and modifications in special education, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve included in-depth descriptions, examples, and other useful resources below. Everything You Need to Know About Accommodations vs. ModificationsThe sections in this guide are based on my formal training, research, and years of first-hand experience in special education.
Why Accommodations and Modifications Are So ImportantBefore we dive into the definitions, explanations, and comparisons, I want to quickly give you some background information on the importance of these terms. Everyone learns differently. The key to success in the classroom is often tied to the attention and support given to each individual student. This statement holds true for children with and without a learning disability. According to the NCLD, one in five children in the US has a learning disability (LD). Seven in ten children with LD spend 80% of their time in general education classrooms. Inclusion is crucial to both learning and child development. Inclusion continues to be the best option for most students due to the implementation of individualized accommodations and modifications. Inclusive education makes it possible for children with different learning abilities to learn, play, and socialize with each other. It’s not always obvious how different accommodations or modifications may benefit a particular student. That’s why it’s so important for parents, teachers, school administrators, and therapists to clearly understand the different options. Accommodations ExplainedAccommodations adjust how a student learns. Special education accommodations do not change what students are expected to learn. Most accommodations refer to altering an environment, curriculum presentation, or equipment. These changes allow children with a disability to follow a regular course of study and completion of assigned tasks. Accommodations help students overcome or work around different learning barriers. Let’s say your child has trouble writing due to a disability. An accommodation can be made for them to give answers orally instead. In this scenario, the student is still expected to learn the same material and answer the same questions as everyone else in the classroom. Verbalizing the answers as opposed to writing them down is the only difference. Generally speaking, accommodations fall into four main categories:
Accommodations are put in place to give students with LD equal access to learning and equal opportunities to show what they can do in the classroom. Depending on the unique needs of the student, formal and standardized testing scenarios can also include accommodations. But an accommodation does not alter the way a test is scored and does not alter the contents of materials presented. Modifications ExplainedModifications adjust what students are taught and what they’re expected to learn. The term can be used to describe changes in the curriculum to accommodate the needs of a student with LD. If a student is unable to comprehend all of the content and materials that an instructor is teaching, modifications can be an appropriate course of action. Instruction level, performance criteria, and content can all be modified based on individual learning abilities. Some students may require test questions to be reworded using simpler language. Other students may be given a “pass” or “no pass” grading option, as opposed to traditional number or letter grade scoring. Modifications can be applied to formal or standardized testing scenarios as well. Unlike accommodations, a modification can impact the way standardized test results are scored and interpreted. Students who need modifications can still be included in general education classes. Some modifications can be presented in the form of an “alternate assignment.” In this situation, classroom tasks, homework, tests, and quizzes would cover different material outside the standard curriculum. Examples of Accommodations in Special EducationWhen it comes to understanding special education terms, most parents, teachers, paras, and school administrators like to see examples. These real-world situations are easy to comprehend and paint a better picture than dictionary definitions. I’ve spent years working in different environments for special education. So I’ve seen tons of accommodation examples first-hand. Let’s take a closer look at accommodation examples in four distinct examples and learning environments: Accommodation Examples for Classroom InstructionsClassroom accommodations allow students to learn the same materials and meet the same expectations as their peers.
Accommodation Examples for Classroom TestsClassroom testing accommodations can vary from the accommodations used during instruction.
Accommodation Examples for Standardized TestingStatewide tests and national tests have different rules than the classroom. But they still allow for certain accommodations.
Accommodation Examples for Music, Art, and PE ClassAccommodations outside of a traditional classroom environment are extremely helpful to some students.
Examples of Modifications in Special EducationI’ve also had plenty of first-hand experience with modifications. I segmented these examples into the same categories from above so you can clearly see the differences: Modification Examples for Classroom InstructionsClassroom modifications change the curriculum.
Modification Examples for Classroom TestsSimilar to the classroom instructions, test modifications usually make the testing contents less complex.
Modification Examples for Standardized TestingIn terms of standardized tests, it’s common for students to take an alternate assessment, which is a state test that includes modifications. Examples of alternate assessments include:
Modification Examples for Music, Art, and PE ClassSimilar to accommodations, a modification in these types of classes can really enhance the student’s experience.
Accommodations vs. Modifications – How Do I Choose?!To be clear, one of these isn’t better than the other. It’s all about finding the best fit for each individual student. In some scenarios, an accommodation is more appropriate than a modification. But modifications are necessary for a wide range of scenarios as well. Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself when deciding whether accommodations or modifications are appropriate for your child or student:
The same child can be given accommodations in one scenario but modifications in another. ConclusionI hope this answered all of your questions about accommodations and modifications in special education. More importantly, I hope this gives you the information needed to make the appropriate decisions for the child or children in your life. Inclusion is important, and both accommodations and modifications make it possible. Remember, accommodations change how a student learns, and modifications change what a student learns. These can be applied to classroom environments, standardized tests, music class, art class, PE, homework, and everything else in the education system. Still have questions? Drop a comment or send me a message! I’m more than happy to offer personal help with my knowledge and expertise! 🙂 What are some examples of modifications?Modifications are changes in what students are expected to learn, based on their individual abilities. Examples of modifications include use of alternate books, pass/no pass grading option, reworded questions in simpler language, daily feedback to a student.
What are examples of accommodations?Examples of accommodations include:. sign language interpreters for students who are deaf;. computer text-to-speech computer-based systems for students with visual impairments or Dyslexia;. extended time for students with fine motor limitations, visual impairments, or learning disabilities;. What is the difference between accommodations and modifications quizlet?-Accommodations are intended to reduce or even eliminate the effects of a student's disability; they do not reduce learning expectations. Modifications might intentionally change, lower, or reduce learning expectations.
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