In assessments for students under Section 504 or IEP, what is the difference between accommodations and modifications?

• A. Accommodations change how content is taught; modifications change the content
• B. Both are the same
• C. Accommodations change how a student demonstrates learning; modifications change the content
• D. Neither is allowed

Answer: (C)

Accommodations change how a student demonstrates learning, not what is being learned. They provide supports or a different format for taking the assessment so the student can show the same knowledge and skills as peers. Examples include extended time, breaks, oral administration, text-to-speech, calculators, scribe services, or large-print materials. Modifications, on the other hand, change the content or the level of difficulty of the assessment. They involve tasks that are simpler or fewer in number, or content that is narrowed to a subset aligned with the student’s instruction. In 504 plans and IEPs, accommodations aim to level the playing field by altering the demonstration method while keeping the standard the student is measuring, whereas modifications adjust what is being measured by changing the content itself.