Accommodations and Modifications
There is often confusion about what an accommodation is and what a modification is. Both accommodations and modifications are designed to support a special needs student in a general education classroom, enabling him/her to be successful. Both may be used for a student, but you should know the difference between accommodations and modifications before you choose them for your student. An accommodation does not change the curricular expectation for a student. A modification changes the curricular expectation. Below is an example of an accommodation and a modification for a student learning basic multiplication facts.
Classroom assignment: 100 multiplication facts, 0's through 10's
Accommodation: The student will complete 50% less problems, but he/she will still solve facts 0's through 10's
Modification: The student will complete 50% less problems and only be responsible for multiplication facts 0's through 5's.
The latter is a modification because it changes the curricular expectation from practicing all facts 0's through 10's to only practicing 0's through 5's. This changes what the student is expected to learn - it isn't just a reduction of work load. Below are some links to more sources of information regarding accommodations and modifications for special needs students.
The Organized Special Education Teacher
This website has an explanation of the differences between accommodations and modifications. It also has a list of sample accommodations and modifications as well as links to websites that might be helpful to a special education teacher. This is a handy website to keep on hand for any teacher.
Lesson Modifications and Accommodations
This is a short list of modifications and accommodations that be used to adapt the lessons of students on the autism spectrum.
Accommodations Interventions Modifications Chart
This downloadable chart explains the differences between accommodations, modifications, and interventions. It also provides examples of each. This is a handy resource for any teacher!
IEP Accommodations and Modifications Quicksheet for Teachers
This is a free resource downloadable from Teachers Pay Teachers. This single page organizer allows you to list student accommodations and modifications and which of the students on your caseload receive those supports. This is a great way for the special education teacher and the classroom teacher to have information about what supports a student needs at their fingertips!
These are just a few of the many links you can find to help you accommodate or modify to ensure your student's success in the classroom. Whatever the need, make sure you use appropriate adaptations. These adaptations are as important as any other component of the student's IEP.
Classroom assignment: 100 multiplication facts, 0's through 10's
Accommodation: The student will complete 50% less problems, but he/she will still solve facts 0's through 10's
Modification: The student will complete 50% less problems and only be responsible for multiplication facts 0's through 5's.
The latter is a modification because it changes the curricular expectation from practicing all facts 0's through 10's to only practicing 0's through 5's. This changes what the student is expected to learn - it isn't just a reduction of work load. Below are some links to more sources of information regarding accommodations and modifications for special needs students.
The Organized Special Education Teacher
This website has an explanation of the differences between accommodations and modifications. It also has a list of sample accommodations and modifications as well as links to websites that might be helpful to a special education teacher. This is a handy website to keep on hand for any teacher.
Lesson Modifications and Accommodations
This is a short list of modifications and accommodations that be used to adapt the lessons of students on the autism spectrum.
Accommodations Interventions Modifications Chart
This downloadable chart explains the differences between accommodations, modifications, and interventions. It also provides examples of each. This is a handy resource for any teacher!
IEP Accommodations and Modifications Quicksheet for Teachers
This is a free resource downloadable from Teachers Pay Teachers. This single page organizer allows you to list student accommodations and modifications and which of the students on your caseload receive those supports. This is a great way for the special education teacher and the classroom teacher to have information about what supports a student needs at their fingertips!
These are just a few of the many links you can find to help you accommodate or modify to ensure your student's success in the classroom. Whatever the need, make sure you use appropriate adaptations. These adaptations are as important as any other component of the student's IEP.