We believe that the highest expectations for learning must be maintained in the classroom to ensure that all students are included and engaged in meaningful learning. Differentiation strategies, accommodations, and modifications offer all students equal access to learning.
Changes made to instruction and/or assessment intended to help students fully access the grade level curriculum without changing the instructional content. Accommodations provide equitable instruction and assessment for students by reducing or eliminating the effects of a student’s disability. They do not change or reduce the learning expectations in regard to the goal being addressed or assessed. Generally, the resulting student product with accommodations is equal to a student’s product without accommodations.
Accommodations are used for any student receiving Learning Support. Accommodations are listed in the Individual Learning Plan (ILP), although the list may not be exhaustive and classroom teachers may implement other effective accommodations as appropriate.
Alterations made to instruction and/or assessment that change, lower, or reduce grade level learning or assessment expectations. Modifications change or reduce the learning expectations in regards to the goal being addressed or assessed. More often than not, the resulting student product is not equal to a student product without modifications.
Modifications are rarely used and only when a student’s disability is significant enough to cause an inability to meet grade level expectations. Modification eligibility is a Student Support Team (SST) decision and parent permission must be obtained prior to implementation. Modifications will be described in the ILP and documented on the report card/transcript. (See Appendix for Parent and Student Guide to the JIS Modified Program)
The terms accommodation and modification are often used interchangeably; however, there is a significant difference between these terms. The key is to begin with the end in mind. Ask, “What is the learning goal? What do I want the student to learn?”
If a change made to the instruction and/or assessment allows access to the same learning goal, then the change is probably an accommodation.
If a change made to the instruction and/or assessment does not allow access to the same learning goal, then the change is probably a modification.
Updated August 2021