Accommodations and Modifications
Accommodations and Modifications
Course Question
What types of accommodations and modifications are made for students with disabilities?
Study Guide
Complete this study guide to help you focus on the most important aspects of the readings.
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ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
You have already been exposed to the concept of accommodations and modifications in the lesson on IEPs but this reading will help clarify the purpose of accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities.
Article: School Accommodations and Modifications Links to an external site.
What to look for:
- What is the purpose of accommodations and modifications?
- What is the definition of an accommodation?
- What is the definition of a modification?
- Look through the list of accommodations and modifications for suggestions that would work well for students in your subject area.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
Most of the time we want to work toward providing accommodations for our students with disabilities in inclusive settings rather than providing modifications. This is due to the fact that modifications cut down on the amount of learning or content that is covered and can lead to gaps in students learning. In some cases, when students are not required to learn all the content in the core curriculum, modifications will be appropriate. Read this article to understand more about the differences between accommodations and modifications.
Article: The Differences Between Accommodations and Modifications Links to an external site.
What to look for:
- What are some differences in accommodations or modifications in classroom instruction?
- What are some differences in accommodations or modifications in classroom tests?
- What are some differences in accommodations or modifications in standardized testing?
- What are some differences in accommodations or modifications in gym, music, and art class?
- Which of your four case study students would most likely receive accommodations? Which would most likely receive modifications? Why?
COMMON ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
It can be challenging to come up with appropriate accommodations or modifications to your lessons and classroom assessments. It is usually best to focus on the students' strengths and leverage those to support their weaknesses. For example if a student is great socially, but struggles in reading, they might benefit from working with a peer who can read assignments to them. If a student struggles physically, but is a great reader, they might read instructions to classmates in a lab setting rather than being the one to handle the lab equipment. Consider the needs of your four case study students as you read this list of accommodations and modifications. Which of these accommodations or modifications would help the case study students to be successful in your content area?
Article: Common Accommodations and Modifications Links to an external site.
What to look for:
- What are presentation accommodations and how are they used to benefit students who struggle in this area?
- What are response accommodations and how are they used to benefit students who struggle in this area?
- What are setting accommodations and how are they used to benefit students who struggle in this area?
- What are timing accommodations and how are they used to benefit students who struggle in this area?
- What are scheduling accommodations and how are they used to benefit students who struggle in this area?
- What are organization accommodations and how are they used to benefit students who struggle in this area?
- What are curriculum modifications and how are they used to benefit students who struggle in this area?
James and His Theater Teacher Discuss Accommodations
In the next two video clips, you will see James and his theater teacher, Ms. Marriott plan for his accommodations in class. In the first video, James and Ms. Marriott privately discuss his performance and areas where he needs additional accommodations. They plan what accommodations to try together.
In the second video you will see Ms. Marriott providing the accommodation in class. She provides it in a way that doesn't single out James for having a disability. James is able to use the opportunity to access a valuable accommodation that helps him to succeed in this class. Watch both videos to see how you might provide accommodations to your future students.
Accommodation Discussion Video (James and Ms. Marriott) Links to an external site.
Using an Accommodation in Class (James and Ms. Marriott) Links to an external site.
WHAT IS A 504 PLAN?
Some students will receive accommodations through a 504 plan rather than an IEP. Read this article to better understand 504 plans and how they differ from an IEP. You will encounter both 504 plans and IEPs in your future teaching career.
Article: Understanding 504 Plans Links to an external site.
What to look for:
- What is a 504 plan?
- Who qualifies for a 504 plan?
- What does a 504 plan contain?
- Who develops a 504 plan?
- What happens in a 504 plan meeting?
ASSIGNMENTS
- Complete the closed book, closed note quiz for the readings.
- Complete the accommodation assignment for one of the four case study students.
- As a PLC Group meet with the instructor.