Let’s say a social studies teacher wants her students to understand the impact of the Lewis and Clark expedition on shaping America students can create a PowerPoint presentation, design a video game, compose a newspaper with some of their peers, or write and illustrate a children’s book. When teachers provide differentiated opportunities, they are taking into account the student. The purpose of modifications is to provide support for the student to the very skill that is being measured and even altering the skill to meet the ability of the student.ĭifferentiation is planned curriculum that takes into consideration the individual needs or interests of the child, or as Carol Ann Tomlinson puts it, “Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs.” Where accommodation is about how instruction is delivered and modification is about what a child will learn, differentiation focus on how a child will demonstrate learning. Allowing outlining instead of writing essays.Some examples of modifications can include: In math, if the student is below grade level, the problems can be provided in whole numbers rather than fractions. In science, students can be provided copies of the notes by the teacher.

In an English class that is reading Romeo and Juliet, a student who is below grade level reading could have access to either an adaptation of the play written in easier to understand language or could be provided with a “parallel text” which has the original text on one side of the page and an adapted text on another page. Some modifications can include the number of problems a student needs to complete on a given assignment, but other modifications can include providing material that is quite different than that of the rest of the class. They may include altering the standard expectations for a course or assessment, as the student may be unable to learn all of the material, or particular portions of the material presented.” According to Erica Zollman, “Modifications describe very fundamental changes in the curriculum. Modifications are essential for students who need them. If another student is easily distracted by noise, she should not be penalized when it inhibits her ability to demonstrate what she knows on an assessment. When a student struggles with coordination, he should not fail an assignment because he could not type. The purpose of accommodations is to ensure equal access to the same content. Additional time to complete testing or homework.Extended instruction, such as video playlists or access to exemplars.Voice to text applications in lieu of typing.Access to a scribe or someone to read texts to the student.Rather, they ensure access to certain tools that allow the child to access the same curriculum other students are offered. Accommodations do not alter the curriculum in any way. Thus, wearing glasses is a necessary accommodation for many students but not all students.Īs technology continues to progress, students have more access to accommodations. However, not all students wear, or need, glasses. There isn’t a teacher out there who would deny a student the ability to wear glasses in class. A simple example of accommodations is the ability for students to wear glasses.

Both parents and students should be aware of the impact these terms have on learning to better understand how curriculum will be made more accessible.Īccording to Lee Ann Jung, Ph.D., “Accommodations are adaptations that provide access to the general curriculum but do not fundamentally alter the learning goal or grade level standard.” In other words, accommodations provide access to curriculum for students with varying abilities.Īccommodations are a necessity for many students, not just special education students. Modification and accommodation are common terms in any 504 or IEP. It is important for parents and teachers to speak the same language to ensure our children have access to an appropriate and challenging education. However, as the primary advocate for our children, we need to understand what is being written into our children’s Section 504 plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP). School staff seem to speak a language of their own. Walking into a special education meeting can be intimidating. On in Education Accommodation, Modification, and Differentiation: Understanding Terms

Accommodations vs modifications chart