Accommodations and Modifications: Key Strategies for Supporting Diverse Learners

Educators and paraeducators are managing an increasingly complex set of responsibilities, which can be overwhelming. Meeting the diverse learning needs of students and successfully implementing the necessary accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities can be challenging.

However, thoughtful planning and effective implementation of these accommodations and modifications have the power to transform students’ educational experiences.

Implementing Accommodations and Modifications

• Clarify the differences between accommodations and modifications. Accommodations are changes in how a student accesses information and demonstrates learning, while modifications are changes in what a student is expected to learn.
• Accommodations at a minimum are required for students with IEPs or Section 504 plans. They should be implemented as often as the IEP team or Section 504 team determines the student requires them. Failure to implement them can result in parents requesting mediation or a due process hearing.
• Fair is not equal. Accommodations and modifications may bring up questions about fairness but it’s important to remember that fair is not equal – fair is everyone getting what they need to succeed.
• Encourage students to become self-advocates. Learning to ask for the accommodations they need to be successful is an important skill that will help students as they transition to adulthood.
• Work together. General education teachers can be most successful in providing for the needs of special education students when they closely partner with special education staff.
• Meet regularly. Meeting with special education colleagues at the beginning of the year, and finding time to collaborate throughout the year, ensures that the accommodations and modifications are understood up front and that adjustments can be made as needed.
• Avoid accommodation pitfalls. Some examples include implementing a behavior chart but not ensuring that the reward is highly motivating for the student, delaying the reward for too long, or losing track of which students need what modifications when managing a large classroom.
  

How Vector Solutions Can Help

Vector’s Inclusive Instruction and Intervention training can help prepare your educators to meet the needs of your diverse learners. Each engaging course includes interventions, actionable ideas, assessments, helpful reference materials, and a certificate of completion.