An accommodation is a tool or support that helps students to reach their expected outcome without changing it.  Some examples of an accommodation are preferential seating, additional time to finish a task, providing information to a student in a different format (visually or orally), and providing the student with a support or tool to help them complete a task.   A modification is a change in what the student is expected to learn.  Some examples of a modification could be assigning a student an exam with fewer questions than the rest of the class, providing a student a different assignment than their classmates, and using a different grading system for certain students.  

Some students who don’t qualify for an IEP may qualify for a 504 plan.  A 504 plan allows full participation of people with disabilities in organizations and schools that receive federal funds.  An IEP is federal education legislation that guarantees a free and appropriate education for students who are identified with one of the federal disability categories.  A 504 plan is for any person with a disability as someone with a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities.  An IEP is for students ages 3 to 21 with an identified educational disability.  For a 504 plan, professionals can make decisions without parental consent, but parents must be notified.  For an IEP informed and written parent consent is required.  A 504 plan does not require specialized instruction, but an IEP does.  504 plans receive no additional federal funding.  For an IEP state and local educational agencies receive federal funding to support special education and related services.  A 504 plan does not include a provision to allow independent evaluations at the district’s expense.  With an IEP parents can request an independent educational evaluation, at the school district’s expense, that meets the district’s criteria if the parents disagree with the evaluation conducted by the district.  With a 504 plan districts are required to have a grievance procedure for parents who disagree with the LRE placement, identification evaluation or implementation of the IEP.  A due process hearing is not necessary prior to the U.S. Department Office of Civil Rights being involved.  Enforcement is provided by the office of civil rights.  With an IEP due process hearings allow parents who disagree with the LRE placement, identification, evaluation, or implementation of the IEP rights.

When it comes to including special education students in the general education classroom, the collaboration between special education teachers and general education teachers is constant.   However, each teacher has a different role in this process.  The general education teacher brings the content to the table and introduces the standards being covered in their classroom.  The special education teacher comes up with ways to differentiate this content through modifications and accommodations.  The general education teacher creates their classroom environment.  Special education teachers think about ways to help their students adapt to this environment and how to make it work for their students.  Special education teachers are responsible for creating individualized instruction or individualized education programs (IEPs). 

RTI stands for response to intervention.  RTI is a system that teachers use to help students who are struggling with a specific subject or skill.  RTI is used with all students, not just students with special needs or a learning disability.  

Tier 1

This level uses high quality instruction to help students catch up.  

Tier 2

This level is for students who need more intensive help.  

Tier 3

This level provides the most intensive help.  

Person first language is a way to emphasize the person and view the disability as a part of the whole person.  This language avoids defining a person by their disability.  

Some examples of person first language are: 

• People with disabilities.  

• She uses a wheelchair.  

• He is hard of hearing.  

• He has a developmental or intellectual disability.