Accomodations and Modifications

Accommodations and modifications are individualized supports used to help a student access the curriculum, by providing support in an area of unique need resulting from a disability. Accommodations and modifications are usually documented on a 504 plan or IEP; however, teachers may provide accommodations informally in their classroom.

Additionally, educators should understand how provision of modifications affect a student's grades, ability to earn a diploma, etc. Educators who implement accommodations and modifications should be knowledgeable about their district policy, and contact their administrators for clarification or with questions, as procedures change from district to district.

The information included on the PENT website is intended to be informational only.

Difference Between Accommodations and Modifications

Type	Definition	Examples
Accommodation	An accommodation is a change in the course, standard, test preparation, location, timing, scheduling, expectation, student response, or other attributes that provides access for a student with a disability to participate in a course, standard or test, and it does not fundamentally alter or lower the standard or expectation of the course, standard or test.	Longer time for tests Use of audio book Use of technology to type (e.g., computer, tablet, etc.)
Modification	A modification is a change in the course, standard, test preparation, location, timing, scheduling, expectation, student response, or other attribute that provides access for a student with a disability to participate in a course, standard or test, and it does fundamentally alter or lower the standard or expectation of the course, standard or test	Reading a shorter or alternate text Completing a different homework assignment Test covers different standards.

 

Examples

Type of Curriculum Adaptations	Examples	Accommodation or Modification?
Quantity: Adapt the number of items that the student is expected to accomplish.	Reduce the number of social studies terms a learner must learn at any one time Add more practice activities or worksheets	Accommodation
Time: Adapt the time allotted and allowed for learning, task completion, or testing.	Individualize a timeline for completing a task Pace learning differently (increase or decrease) Allow extra time on test	Accommodation
Level of Support: Increase the amount of personal assistance to keep the student on task or to reinforce or prompt use of specific skills.	Utilize peer buddies, teaching assistants, peer tutors, or cross-age tutors Specify how to interact with the student	Accommodation
Input: Adapt the way instruction is delivered to the student.	Visual aids Enlarge text Use concrete examples Hands-on activities Cooperative groups Pre-teach key concepts or terms before the lesson	Accommodation
Setting: Adapt where the learner completes work or tasks.	Complete classwork in a quiet room Test in a small group setting	Accommodation
Organization: Inclusion of additional supports to help student manage workload, etc.	Use a timer to monitor length of work period Planner to schedule upcoming assignments	Accommodation
Difficulty: Adapt the skill level, problem type, or the rules on how the learner may approach the work.	Use of a calculator to figure math problems Simplify task directions Change rules to accommodate learner needs	Accommodation or Modification - depends on how used and/or what expected learning outcome is.
Output: Adapt how the student can respond to instruction.	Verbal response instead of writing Use of a communication book to point to answers Create and present a power point with content, instead of writing an essay Use of a spell checker	Accommodation or Modification - depends on how used and/or what expected learning outcome is.
Alternate Goals: Adapt the goals or outcome expectations while using the same materials. When consistently utilized, this is only for students with moderate to severe disabilities.	In a social studies lesson, student locates colors of the states on the map while other students learn to locate each state and name the capital	Modification
Functional Curriculum: Provide different instruction and materials to meet a learner’s individual goals. When consistently utilized, this is only for students with moderate to severe disabilities.	During a language lesson a student is learning toileting skills with an aide Student learns how to use money in the community	Modification

Substantially altered by Diana Browning Wright with permission from Jeff Sprague, Ph.D. from an original by DeSchenes, C., Ebeling, D., & Sprague, J. (1994). Adapting Curriculum & Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms: A Teachers Desk Reference. Publication. Adapted here for accessability.