How do accommodations differ in assessment versus instruction?

• A. In instruction, accommodations adjust how instruction is delivered; in assessment, they adjust how a student demonstrates learning.
• B. In instruction, accommodations adjust how instruction is delivered; in assessment, they adjust how a student demonstrates learning.
• C. Accommodations are identical in both contexts.
• D. Accommodations are not used in assessment.

Answer: (B)

Accommodations are supports that help a student access learning and show what they know without changing the content or level of what’s being taught or tested. The key difference is where the adjustment happens. In instruction, accommodations adjust how the material is delivered—things like presenting information in smaller chunks, using visuals, or providing a quiet, structured environment so the student can engage with the lesson. In assessment, accommodations adjust how the student demonstrates learning—such as giving extra time, allowing oral responses or a reader/scribe, or permitting alternative response formats—so the student can reveal the same knowledge and skills without being hindered by their disability. This keeps the focus on the same content and standards across both contexts.