The Difference Between an Accommodation and a Modification

Related: , More TagsChildren with Learning Disabilities, Education, Parents, School, Symptoms, Fewer Tags

by Eileen Bailey
Thursday, March 12, 2009

People with learning disabilities often request extra services in school through an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). These services are generally referred to as either accommodations or modifications. Sometimes parents, teachers and students, use these terms interchangeably even though there are distinct differences between the terms.

An accommodation is a change in a procedure. Accommodations do not change the measurement of work completed. For example, an accommodation may be allowing a child to take a test in a quiet room, such as the library or resource room, rather than in the classroom where there may be more distractions. The accommodation will not, however, change how the test is graded.

Some examples of accommodations:

• Including more hands-on activities in the class
• Allowing tests to be taken in the library/resource room
• Allowing extra time to complete tests
• Changing seating in the classroom to minimize distractions or allow a student to be more accessible to the teacher
• Using organizational tools
• Providing an helper for organization or behavior
• Adjusting homework, such as completing every other problem

A modification is an actual change in tests, grading or curriculum. For example, allowing a student to use a calculator during a test would be an example of a modification. Other examples of modifications include:

• Using a weighted grading system
• Simplifying lesson plans or tests to provide for lower levels of understanding
• Reducing the number of questions answered during a test
• Reducing reading or mathematic levels
• Simplifying vocabulary

Whether a student needs accommodations or modifications will depend on several different factors and should be based on the student's individual needs.