Is it an Accommodation or a Modification?

Accommodations vs Modifications. Although these special education terms may be used in the same conversation between team members at the IEP meeting table, they are VERY different things! It’s important to understand the difference between the two and the impacts they have on an individual student receiving specialized services. 

In this blogpost, you'll see both definitions and examples of accommodations and modifications. This may be helpful to bookmark and save for later or share with your school district.

Accommodations – Supports that are put into place to help a student access the general curriculum. The expectations of the general education curriculum do not change. 

When a student is receiving specialized instruction, you are most likely going to see accommodations provided for them.The purpose of accommodations in the learning environment is to give students equal access to the opportunities that the rest of the class has. Students are still held to grade level standards in the regular course of study. Accommodations may be provided for general classroom work and/or for standardized testing. 

Some examples of classroom accommodations include…

• Additional time to complete work and/or a test
• Large print textbooks or workbooks
• Adaptive writing utensils
• Read aloud of math word problems or test questions
• Utilizing graphic organizers or a word bank
• Assistive technology used to access the general education curriculum (use of calculator, mobility aids)
• Preferential seating or working in an alternative space

Modifications – changes in the curriculum, based on the student’s individual abilities. Modifications typically change the instructional level, content, or performance criteria for the student.

Sometimes an IEP team may determine that a student requires more than just an accommodation to the curriculum in order for them to have equal access to it. Modifications may be appropriate in order to meet the needs of the child. 

Some examples of modifications include…

• Using alternative text books, or curriculum material
• An alternative assignment that is below grade level expectations
• Completing different assignments or tests from the remainder of the class
• Assignments are graded using an alternative grading system
• Accepting an alternate assessment (i.e.: for a state test)

It can be difficult at times to determine whether an accommodation or modification is most appropriate in order to meet a student’s need. It is best to always ask as the IEP team if there are supports that can be put into place first that allow students to access the grade level material in the same way as their peers. 

Who provides the accommodations and modifications?

Once appropriate accommodations have been determined, they will be “officially” added to the students' current IEP (Individualized Education Program). This is important to note because as a legal document, the IEP serves as a layer of protection that each child will receive the accommodations they need regardless of classroom setting. Although more specific notes may be added to the IEP, accommodations can be administered by both the general education teacher and special education teacher.

One of the most common misunderstandings educators have when it comes to special education services is defining accommodations versus modifications.

Looking for an easy way to support your school or staff with understanding the difference between the two? Check out this interactive professional development resource!

You’ll find an easy to follow slideshow that can be used during a professional development session with your cooperating teachers. There's even an “activity” with examples of accommodations and modifications to sort. This entire ready-to-deliver professional presentation is inside the Special Educators Resource Room Bundle.