Special Ed Advocate Silicon Valley
Accommodations vs Modifications
In the educational setting, there two ways to change curriculum so that as student can do the work so that it is appropriate and accessible. Many people, including educators, interchangeably use the terms accommodations and modifications to describe this process. However the process by which accommodations is done can be quite different. Legally, the difference between the two is significant.
The term accommodation, with regards to curriculum, refers to when a student still does grade level work but the work is changed in its amount, presentation style, timing, or scheduling. Accommodating does not significantly change what an assignment or test measures, information wise. Just the actual way in which the same information is delivered.
The term modification is used when the work that a student is given has been changed so the the standard of what is being tested or assigned is different. The expectations of a student having modifications are lower as the student is not expected to become proficient in that particular area of study.
Special Ed Advocate Silicon Valley
There are two legally significant differences between these two terms. First a student that is being given modified work, s/he will be graded differently from typical peers. The student will be graded according to task completion that is based on progress based on his/her IEP goals.
Second, when a student receives modified grades, the ability to receive an actual high school diploma is jeopardized. If a student’s promotion criteria is changed on the IEP from “district” to “progress on goals”, then the student will not be getting a diploma but will receive a certificate of completion to recognize their educational accomplishments. This obviously can effect what a student can access after high school.
It is very important to know whether your student is being given modified work which can lead to not receiving a high school diploma. Check your student’s IEP for what it listed under promotion criteria. Make sure that the terms accommodation and modification are not used interchangeably on the IEP document.
Hire an advocate. Learn your rights.
http://www.aspireadvocacy.com
https://www.facebook.com/aspireadvocacy
As parents, we understand, As advocates, we can help.