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What is the difference between an ACCOMMODATION and a Modification? Why does it matter?
Accommodations and modifications assist students in accessing high quality learning environments, instruction and curriculum. Students with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan have access to accommodations or modifications when needed.
What is an ACCOMODATION?
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What is a MODIFICATION?
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Allows a student to complete the same assignment or test as other students, but with a change in the:
◦timing, ◦formatting, ◦setting, ◦scheduling, ◦response and/or ◦presentation. *They do not change the standard Example: Students are expected to write 10 spelling words accurately dictated to them by the teacher. Modification: Student types spelling words/access to a keyboard. |
write An adjustment to an assignment or a test that changes the standard or what the test or assignment was designed to supposed measure.
Example: Students are expected to write 10 spelling words accurately dictated to them by the teacher. Modification: Student circles correct spelling of each word given two choices. |

Why does it matter if the student receives a MODIFICATION instead of an ACCOMODATION?
Both accommodations and modifications should be selected based upon individual student need. Because an accommodation provides access to the same standard or learning targets, students who receive these accommodations should stay on par with their peers in terms of their overall learning. Students who need modifications are learning either part of the standard or working on a different standard or learning target. Overtime, modifications can have a snowball effect on learning and result in the student gaining fewer skills over time with larger and larger gaps occurring between their skills and their peers.
Both accommodations and modifications should be selected based upon individual student need. Because an accommodation provides access to the same standard or learning targets, students who receive these accommodations should stay on par with their peers in terms of their overall learning. Students who need modifications are learning either part of the standard or working on a different standard or learning target. Overtime, modifications can have a snowball effect on learning and result in the student gaining fewer skills over time with larger and larger gaps occurring between their skills and their peers.