Accommodations vs modifications chart windows#

Setting modifications can be considered for students with more significant characteristics that affect their ability to attend during instruction or when taking assessments. Allowing the student to use a physical device to reduce distractions (headphones or study carrel)Įven though some students might benefit from these setting accommodations at different times during instruction, students with disabilities who have been assigned one or more of these accommodations must be provided with the accommodation on a regular basis.Offering a separate location for the student to complete a test or assignment (this option should be used only when necessary).Providing instruction in small groups to minimize distractions.

Accommodations vs modifications chart windows#

Changing the seating and/or grouping for the child, such as sitting near the teacher or away from doors or windows.Some setting accommodations that can be implemented to support these students include:

Setting accommodations are changes to the conditions or locations of instruction or assessment. Changes to SettingĬhanges to the setting of instruction or assessments are most beneficial for students who are easily distracted by routine classroom interactions or need support to make the learning environment physically accessible.

Reduce the reading expectation for word problems (e.g., removing irrelevant information)īecause they change the depth, breadth, and/or level of proficiency of the learning objectives, these changes are modifications and should only be provided with guidance from the IEP team.

Shorten story problems in math by reducing the number of relevant steps needed to respond.

Allowing the student to read shorter versions of a textbook that may not contain grade-level vocabulary.

Examples of modifications that involve changes to presentation include: Some students with more significant physical, sensory, or cognitive difficulties may need modifications to presentation to gain access to the content.

Providing the student with a copy of notes or class presentations before the lesson beginsīecause these changes do not alter the content expectations, these are classified as accommodations.

Offering tactile prompts such as physical guidance or raised-line paper.

Allowing the student to use a screen reader.

Increasing the contrast or differentiation of information included in visual representations (e.g., using color to help students identify corresponding sides on similar figures).

Increasing the font size-enlarging text or using a magnification device.

Reading the directions or problems out loud to the student.

Allowing them to audio- or video-record a lesson instead of taking notes.

Accommodations to support access for these students may include: For example, some students may have visual impairments that make it difficult to perceive written materials. Presentation accommodations change the way in which instructional material or assessments are disseminated to students. Here’s an overview of the categories and some helpful examples of each one: Changes to Presentation Often used with students who have significant intellectual disabilities, modifications help align the learning environment with more intensive needs.Īccommodations and modifications can be classified into four categories: presentation, setting, timing and scheduling, and response mode. Modifications, on the other hand, may change the extent to which the student is required to learn the material. For example, an instructional accommodation may change the time a student is provided to learn the content. (In the book, these suggestions are framed as helpmates for teaching math effectively, though the guidance here applies across content areas.)įirst, a quick review: What’s the difference between instructional accommodations and modifications?Īccommodations are changes that support access but don’t change the underlying instructional objective. Ketterlin‑Geller, et al., these strategies will support academic success for students who need additional help. Excerpted and adapted from the book Teaching Math in Middle School by Leanne R.

When differentiating instruction isn’t enough, how can teachers deliver the additional supports some students will need? Today’s blog post is a handy guide to four types of accommodations and modifications that can be worked into a student’s IEP.