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Taproot issue 45 - September 2003

School Accommodation & Modifications

Some students with disabilities need accommodations or modifications to their educational program in order to participate in the general curriculum and to be successful in school. While the individuals with Disabilities Education Act and its regulations do not define accommodations or modifications, there is some agreement as to what they mean.

An accommodation allows a student to complete the same assignment or test as other students, but with a change in timing, formatting, setting, scheduling, response and/or presentation. The accommodation does not alter in any significant way what the test or assignment measures. Example if accommodations include a student who is blind taking a Braille version of a test or a student taking a test along in a quiet room.

A modification is an adjustment to an assignment or a test that changes what the test or assignment is supposed to measure. Examples of possible modifications include a student completing work on part of a standard or a student completing an alternate assignment that is more easily achievable than the standard assignment.

Needed modifications and accommodations should be written into a student’s IEP or 504 plan. They should be chosen to fit the student’s individual needs. It is important to include the student, if appropriate when discussing needed accommodations and modifications. Asking the student what would be helpful is a good first step.

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