What is the Difference Between Accommodation and Modification?

The main difference between accommodations and modifications lies in how they support students with disabilities in their learning process. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

Accommodations:

• Change how a student learns the material but do not alter what is being taught.
• Help students overcome or work around their disabilities.
• Examples include providing notes/outlines, allowing type-written work, or providing a peer note-taker.

Modifications:

• Change what a student is taught or expected to learn.
• Alter the curriculum or learning outcomes for students with disabilities who are unable to comprehend all of the content.
• Examples include having students answer in limited choices, grading various aspects of an assignment, or providing an assignment leveled to the student's current functional level.

In summary, accommodations are adjustments that help students access the same material as their peers, while modifications involve changing the content or learning outcomes for students who need alternative support.

Comparative Table: Accommodation vs Modification

The main difference between accommodations and modifications lies in how they impact the learning material and expectations for students with disabilities. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Accommodations are designed to provide equal access to content and do not change the content standard or performance expectation. They level the playing field for students with disabilities by providing support such as preferential seating, extended time for tests, or use of assistive technology.

On the other hand, modifications change the expectations for learning and reduce the requirements of the task. They involve adaptations that address the specific needs of a student, such as a reduced number of test questions, modifications to assignments to meet the student's ability level, or alternative assessments.

In summary, accommodations help students access the same material as their peers by providing support, while modifications change the material and expectations to meet the unique needs of a student with disabilities.