Accommodations and Modifications
Accommodations
What are they?
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Accommodations do not modify the content that students are learning or are being assessed on. Accommodations are the changes in how information, tests, or assessments are presented to a student. These changes may include how the student participates but the content remains the same. The students accommodations are listed in the student's IEP. Remember that accommodations are a part of the IEP which is a legal document. Students are legally obligated to their accommodations.
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How will they affect my class?
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You may have students leaving your class to take tests. There may be paraprofessionals in your classroom assisting your students that are in special education. Students may be using materials like a calculator, multiplication chart, or notes, while general education students and some special education students are not allowed, depending on classroom rules, expectations and accommodations listed in the IEP.
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What are my responsibilities?
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As a teacher, you should be aware of each of your special education students' accommodations and which ones you are responsible to provide. Remember that the special education teacher is part of your team and he/she is there to help you. If you are unsure how to provide an accommodation or need some clarification, please reach out to them.
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Modifications
What are they?
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Modifications are changes in the curriculum of what the student is learning. They are the changes in what is being taught or what they are expected to know or do. For students with modifications, they are not expected to learn to learn the same material as their classmates.
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How does it affect my class?
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You may have students using different curriculum than the other students based on their needs. You may have additional staff in your room to assist students with modifications, or students may come and go from your class to the special education room to receive help.
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What are my responsibilities?
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You may have to provide different instruction, work, or tests to students with modifications. Remember to reach out to the special education teacher when you need assistance on modifying work, tests, or projects.
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Download the accommodation and modification classroom management document from the
free resources page.
This will simplify your management of students' accommodations and modifications in your classroom.
free resources page.
This will simplify your management of students' accommodations and modifications in your classroom.
Common Accommodations
Presentation Accommodations - changes in the way material is presented
- Listening to audio recordings instead of reading the text - This helps students that have reading difficulties or visual disabilities focus on the content rather than deciphering the text to learn the content.
- Large print - This helps students with a visual disability see the material in an appropriate way, usually 16 pt. font or larger. It will typically say in the accommodations they minimum font need for the student.
- Class notes from a teacher or student or partially filled notes- some students have tracking disorders or motor control difficulties, this accommodation lets them have access to the notes.
- Tests read aloud - This includes a recording of the tests. It allows the student to focus on the question and answer instead of first deciphering the reading, then determining the question and answer. This is important to allow students to show what they know, rather than their comprehension of reading the question on the test.
- Written list of instructions - Some students have memory difficulties, or auditory processing disorders, and having visual instructions may help them
- Study Guides - This helps the student understand key concepts that will be on the test and helps them know what they need to study.
Response Accommodations - changes in the way the student completes classwork, assignments, or tests
- Oral response - This allows students to speak their answer instead of having to find the words to put down on paper. Some students have disabilities that make putting their words down on paper difficult
- Scribe - This allows students to have their answers written down. Some students have disabilities that affect their handwriting, and it may not be legible to others.
- Spellcheck or dictionary use - Some students have disabilities that make it difficult to remember how to spell words. This way they can be confident that their writing is close to the level of their peers.
- Computer notes - Some students have handwriting disabilities but it does not affect their ability to type. This way they are still doing their own work.
- Calculator or math table - There are disabilities that make it difficult to recall math facts, it can take students much longer to complete their work when they have to try to remember each fact, since it is not in their long term memory.
- Fewer multiple choice - This still makes sure students know the content, but they have less choices to choose from
- Use of notes on tests - Some students have difficulty with recall
Timing or Scheduling Accommodations
- More time to complete school work, projects or tests - usually a specific amount, i.e. 1 extra day
- Frequent breaks - Some students have difficulty sustaining attention and may need movement breaks or brain breaks to complete tasks
- Wait time - Some students require longer processing time to respond or begin work
Organizational Skills Accommodations
- Use planner or organizer - Some students have difficulty keeping track of their assignments and remembering what they need to complete
- Highlight - some students me be allowed to highlight important information to make it easier for them find
Setting Accommodations - Where the student completes their work
- Preferential seating - This allows students to choose the location that is most conducive to their learning, reducing distractions, allowing for easy movement, or best lighting or view
- Work or test in a quiet setting - This allows students to work in a less distracting environment
Common Modifications
Assignment Modifications
- Modified homework - reduction of amount, or different questions
- modified tests - change in content or amount
- Students may have tests with no more than 25 questions
- Students are tested on key concepts
- Pass/fail - graded on work completion
- Complete paper instead of project or vice versa
Curriculum Modifications
- Learn different material - students may reading or learning different material than the rest of the class
- Different standards - Students may be graded only on the work they complete on an assignment or based on their attendance in the class
- Using similar curricula that is written at a different level
Behavior Modifications
- Positive reinforcement
- Breaks between tasks
- Peer supports
- Daily feedback
- Behavior Chart