IEP Accommodations Explained

Accommodations and modifications are crucial components of an IEP, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the distinction is vital for ensuring your child gets the right support.

Accommodations: Changing HOW a Student Learns

An accommodation changes how a student learns the material or demonstrates their knowledge. It does not change the academic expectations or the curriculum itself.

Examples of Accommodations:

• Extended time on tests or assignments
• Preferential seating (e.g., sitting near the teacher)
• Text-to-speech software or audiobooks
• Taking tests in a quiet, distraction-free room
• Use of a calculator for basic math facts (when the standard is problem-solving)

Modifications: Changing WHAT a Student Learns

A modification changes what a student is taught or expected to learn. It fundamentally alters the curriculum or the standard being assessed.

Examples of Modifications:

• Completing different, simpler assignments than peers
• Reading a text that is multiple grade levels below the class standard
• Being graded on a different standard or rubric
• Answering fewer questions on a test (e.g., covering only 2 concepts instead of 5)

Why It Matters

Modifications can impact a student's path to a standard high school diploma, so they should be used carefully. Accommodations level the playing field without lowering the bar.

How OurIEP Can Help

IEPs list dozens of accommodations, often using confusing abbreviations. OurIEP extracts every accommodation from your child's IEP and explains exactly what it means and how the teacher should be implementing it.

Learn more about OurIEP