Understanding the Difference: Accommodations vs. Modifications in Education

Understanding the difference between accommodations and modifications is crucial for parents advocating for their child's educational needs. Both terms refer to ways of supporting students, especially those with disabilities, but they serve different purposes and are applied in different ways.

Accommodations

Accommodations are changes in how a student accesses information and demonstrates learning. They do not alter the instructional level, content, or performance criteria. Instead, accommodations provide students with equal access to learning and an equal opportunity to show what they know.

Examples of Accommodations:

1. Presentation: Providing information in alternative formats, such as audiobooks, large print, or Braille.

2. Timing: Allowing extended time to complete tests, assignments, or projects.

3. Setting: Offering a quieter room or a less distracting environment for taking tests.

4. Response: Permitting answers to be given orally, dictated, or typed instead of written.

5. Organization: Providing organizational aids like graphic organizers or planners.

6. Equipment and Technology: Using assistive technology such as speech-to-text software, calculators, or specialized keyboards.

   
   

Modifications

Modifications are changes in what a student is expected to learn. They alter the instructional level, content, or performance criteria. Modifications create a different educational standard for the student.

Examples of Modifications:

1. Curriculum Changes: Simplifying the content to be learned, such as using lower-level reading materials.

2. Alternate Assignments: Assigning different assignments that are more appropriate to the student’s abilities, such as creating a poster about the main idea in the chapter instead of writing an essay with details about the book.

3. Grading: Grading the student based on a different standard, such as effort or improvement rather than the standard grade-level expectations.

4. Alternative Assessments: Allowing the student to demonstrate learning through different means, like oral presentations about one character instead of written tests with details about the book.

   
   

Key Differences

1. Purpose:

   1. Accommodations: Aim to provide equal access to learning without changing the learning goals.

   2. Modifications: Aim to provide access to the curriculum by changing the learning goals and expectations to better suit the student’s abilities.

2. Impact on Curriculum:

   1. Accommodations: Do not alter the curriculum or lower the learning standards.

   2. Modifications: Change the curriculum and adjust the learning standards to match the student’s needs.

3. Use in Education Plans:

   1. Accommodations: Commonly used in both IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and 504 plans.

   2. Modifications: Typically used in IEPs, where more significant changes to the curriculum are necessary to meet the student’s needs.

Conclusion

Both accommodations and modifications are essential tools in supporting students with special needs. Understanding the difference helps ensure that your child receives the appropriate support to succeed academically. Accommodations provide equal access to learning, while modifications tailor the learning expectations to the student's abilities. Knowing when and how to use each can make a significant difference in your child’s educational experience. Understood has a list to show the different between accommodations and modifications.

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