Accommodations and Modifications

1. Accommodations and Modifications By Kenneth Cross

2. Definitions • Accommodations (Instructional): • adjustments to make sure students have equal access to curriculum and a way to be successful. • supports or services provided to help a student across the general curriculum.

3. Definitions • Accommodations (Assessment): • Changes in assessment materials or procedures that enable students to participate in a way that assesses abilities rather than disabilities. • Accommodations provide equity, not advantage

4. Definitions • Accommodations (Assessment): • A ‘tool’ that provides access –the assessment is not changed • (Some may ‘access’ a building by using the stairs, some may ‘access’ that same building by using a ramp –how they ‘gain access to the building does not change the building)

5. Examples • Teacher provides notes/outlines, allows type-written work, allows printed work, provides a peer note-taker, allows the use of wider lined paper for written tasks, provides highlighted text, allows the use of spell-checker, • Daily agenda checks between home/school, additional progress reports • Preferential seating, ability to leave room without permission, peer buddy, behavior reward system • Extended time on assignments, shortened assignments, simplification of directions • Tests read aloud to student, verbal response acceptable in lieu of written response, fewer multiple choice responses (2 instead of 4), multiple -choice response instead of fill -in -the -blank or short answer/essay, word banks provided for fill in the blank questions

6. Definitions • Modifications (Instructional): • curriculum and/or instruction is changed. • changes made to the content and performance expectations for students.

7. Definitions • Modifications (Assessment): • Directly alters or lowers the expectation of the assessment

8. examples • Reduction of homework, reduction of class work • Omitting story problems, using specialized/alternative curricula written at lower level, simplified vocabulary and concepts, alternative reading books at independent reading level • Tests are written at lower level of understanding, preview tests provided as study guide, picture supports are provided, use of calculator • Grading based on pass/fail, grading based on work completion

9. 9 Types of Curriculum Adaptations

10. By Diana Browning

11. Misconceptions about Learning Disabilities

12. Misconception: Learning disabilities usually correspond with a low IQ. Learning disabilities are processing disorders that occur for reasons other than diminished cognitive ability. Students with learning disabilities have the intellect to do well, but because of the unique ways that their brains are organized to receive, process, store, retrieve and communicate information, they struggle to accomplish tasks that are necessary to success in school and in life. . What do you see? How does your mind process this image?

13. Misconception: The Term ‘learning disabilities’ is interchangeable with other disorders. • Learning disabilities is a category that encompasses a variety of specific disorders that create real obstacles for success in school. It’s an umbrella term that points to weaknesses in such areas as reading, writing, spelling, math, and other kinds of skills, and is presumed to result from faulty or inefficient ways that information is processed in the brain. • Learning disabilities are not synonymous with ADHD, even though they often co-occur and share lots of the same features. They both require specialized, structured and carefully targeted instruction and support. But ADHD can be treated with medicine; Learning disabilities cannot.

14. Consequences of Non-Compliance

15. An Education Specialist at work

16. [5 C.C.R. Sec. 4664.] • If the investigation indicates a failure by the district to comply with the law, the • California Department of Education (CDE) may require “corrective action.” The CDE investigation report must set forth the timelines the district must follow to correct its violations.

17. [5 C.C.R. Sec. 4670(a).] • If the noncompliance is not corrected, CDE shall take further action. Actions may include a court proceeding for an order requiring compliance, or a proceeding to recover or stop state funding to the noncompliant local district.   • If CDE finds that a district has not provided appropriate services, it must address the failure through corrective actions that address the needs of the affected student, such as compensatory services or monetary reimbursement. The federal regulations also require CDE in its corrective action plan to “address...appropriate future provision of services for all children with disabilities.”

18. In 1992, there was a case in West Virginia styled Doe v. Withers history teacher refused to provide the modifications promised to a student. Several people advised the history teacher about the need to provide these modifications but he refused. The boy failed the exam. Later, the family filed a civil lawsuit the jury awarded $15,000 in damages and the history teacher had to pay out of his own pocket. Doe v. Withers was the first damages case against a teacher for refusing to follow the IEP.

19. Collaboration

20. Build trust and create relationships with IEP team members and parents; • Communicate often, E-mail any changes or ideas in a timely manner. • Make time for, face to face communication. • Remember communication should also be about the positives.

21. References

22. Works Cited • Browning, D. (2010, September 22). Retrieved from 9 Types of Curriculum Adaptations: http://www.lbschools.net/Main_Offices/Curriculum/Services/Special_Education/pdf/NinetypesofAdaptations.pdf • Goldberg, D. (2010). Top Ten Methods to Foster IEP Team Collaboration. Retrieved from SpecialEducationAdvisor.com : https://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/top-ten-methods-to-foster-iep-team-collaboration/ • Hamilton, K., & Kessler, E. (2014, March 7). The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY). Retrieved from Accommodations and modifications: Wait, they’re not the same?: http://nichcy.org/accommodations-and-modifications • Kane, J. (2012, March 16). PBS. Retrieved from Five Misconceptions About Learning Disabilities: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/five-misconceptions-about-learning-disabilities • SPECIAL EDUCATION RIGHTS. (2011, September 21). Retrieved from http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/504001Ch06.pdf • Yell, M. L. (2012). The Law and Special Education. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc.