ACCOMMODATION OR MODIFICATION?
A student gets extended time to complete a test or assignment in class.
Accommodation or modification?
Accommodation!
A student is struggling with copying from the large whiteboard while taking notes. What accommodation can you provide?
Provide copies of pre-written notes or use a personal whiteboard at their desk.
* Students can have trouble tracking information so copying from the board can be difficult for them. This can often appear as work refusal or as if they're not paying attention, when in fact, they are having difficulty keeping track of what they're copying.
A student working on Science in the general education setting does not read on grade level so struggles with the Science text that is provided. What modification can be used?
Text at the student's ability level that covers the same topic is an appropriate modification.
Modifications adjust the content of what students learn.
If you have questions or need help with anything related to IEPs and SPED with the Joplin School District, where can you look?
Special Education website!
https://sites.google.com/joplinschools.org/special-education/home
You can look here for IEP timelines, goal bank, templates, IEP meeting helps, and so much more!
You see a student struggling with pencil grasp while working on classwork. Who can help?
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Fine motor skills: Developing dexterity for tasks like writing, cutting with scissors, buttoning clothes, and using utensils.
A student uses sight words for spelling tests and only completes 8 words.
Accommodation or modification?
Modification!
Changing the instructional level, content, or performance criteria is a MODIFICATION. WHAT is being done changes.
A student is easily distracted in the whole group setting while completing testing. What accommodation is most often used and appropriate for this student?
Small group setting!
A writing prompt is being given with a set rubric for grading. The student does not write at grade level and this is difficult for them. What modification can be made?
A modified writing rubric that focuses on fewer areas and/or is not as specific can be used. This would modify the expectations for the student while allowing them to complete the task at their ability level.
You have a student who struggles with grade-level work expectations and want help providing work at their level or writing goals based on that student's grade level/ability level work. Where do you look?
MATT Step Up books!
All teachers have access to these books in your building. All SPED teachers should have them in their rooms and schools have worked at getting extra copies for Gen. Ed. teachers to access. They are an invaluable tool!
You see a student without an IEP struggling with their reading. Who can you ask for help?
Special Education teachers can help provide tips and tools to help students be successful, even those without IEPs!
Your building's Title Literacy teachers are also huge helps and can help!
A student is allowed to complete testing and assignments in their qualifying areas in the small group setting rather than the regular classroom setting.
Accommodation or modification?
Accommodation!
Setting: How the environment is made accessible, such as with special lighting or acoustics or class size, is an ACCOMMODATION. It only changes HOW they receive information.
You have a student that struggles with loud noises/talking in all settings. What accommodation is appropriate and most often used?
Headphones are a great accommodation!
Noise-cancelling headphones or regular headphones are often used to help students block out some of the noises and distractions around them. They can be used in all settings to help a student remain in a setting without becoming too overwhelmed.
A student who is below grade level for reading is not able to complete 20 spelling words for the spelling test. What modification can be made to help this student be successful?
Decreasing the number of spelling words the student must learn is a great modification.
For example, a student could be given a new list containing only 10 spelling words and they would only be tested on those 10 words.
A new student with an IEP has transferred to your classroom. Where do you look for accommodations/modifications/minutes?
An IEP Summary is a great overview!
Summaries provide services, minutes, related services, accommodations/modifications, and student/parent info. All teachers/staff involved with a student with an IEP should be given access to their IEP and be provided a summary to ensure accommodations/modifications are being provided in the classroom setting.
Who can help a student with assistive technology needs that support their learning in all settings?
OT can help provide specific help and training on any device a student qualifies for on their IEP.
Text-to-speech (TTS) software, reading guides, calculators, audio players/recorders and adaptive equipment are some of the assistive technology (AT) devices that can be utilized for specific student needs.
A student is allowed to have instructions/questions read to them during testing or in the classroom.
Accommodation or modification?
Accommodation!
Presentation: How students receive information, such as in large print or with audio, is an ACCOMMODATION. It only changes HOW they receive information.
A student is having difficulty understanding what they need to do after reading the instructions on their own. What accommodation could be used?
A student is given a Social Studies test in the general education setting. They struggle with reading grade level text so completing fill-in-the-blank assessment questions where they need to read the text to find the answers is difficult for them. What modification can be made to the assessment?
The student can be given a word bank with answer choices for their test, key words can be highlighted in the text itself so the student can identify which words are options, or the first letter of the word can be given and the student can fill in the rest with words from the provided word bank. These are all appropriate modifications!
How do I know if my student is receiving related services, such as OT, PT, etc. Where can I look?
You can always check with the Special Education teacher or you can look on the IEP Summary you were provided by the SPED teacher. It lists all services the student is receiving; including qualifying areas, minutes, and related services.
OT can help with a sensory schedule and providing sensory tools to help students appropriately meet sensory needs within the classroom environment
Allowing outlining instead of writing for an essay, using a specific rubric attached to their IEP.
Accommodation or modification?
Modification!
This changes WHAT is being expected. Grading, expectations, and workload are all altered.
A student struggles with completing projects/assignments with multiple steps or parts and he/she gets overwhelmed when working on the project. What accommodation can be given to help this student complete the assignment?
The project or assignment can be broken down into smaller parts and the student can be given one part of the assignment at a time instead of the entire assignment at once.
Students are working on a research project and were given books and other resources to read about their topic. Several students struggle with reading grade-level books. What modifications can be made to the assignment to help these students be successful and complete the research project?
Providing audiobooks, videos, or lower-grade level books is a modification to the assignment that can help these students complete the work independently.
Speech-to-text and text-to-speech options are other great modifications that can be used.
Where do I find MAP and state testing accommodations for my students with IEPs?
Form D:State Assessments
Always ask your student's case manager if you have questions or concerns regarding state testing accommodations.
Who is someone you can always ask for insight or help with a student outside of the school setting?
Parents/guardians!
Family members know more about their child than we ever will. Sometimes they are easy to work with and other times, it can be a bit of a struggle. They should always know we are a team and work together on IEP/school needs.