Distinguish between accommodations and modifications with school-based examples.

• A. Modifications change how tasks are done.
• B. Accommodations change how tasks are done; modifications change what is taught.
• C. They are the same.
• D. Only for tests.

Answer: (B)

The distinction centers on how the student shows what they’ve learned versus what they’re being taught. Accommodations change the way tasks are completed so the student can access the same content and demonstrate the same learning goals. They don’t alter the difficulty or the expectations. Examples include giving extra time on tests, allowing a calculator or a scribe, providing large-print materials, or letting a student use assistive technology. Modifications, on the other hand, change the content or the level of the task itself. They adjust what is taught or the outcome that is expected, such as reading a text at a lower reading level, reducing the number of problems, or completing an assignment that targets a different, simpler standard while still focusing on the underlying skill. So, accommodations change how tasks are done; modifications change what is taught.