And You Don’t Even Know It
Most educators and parents think they understand accommodations and modifications.
But let me ask you this:
If I walked into your classroom or home right now, could you clearly tell me the difference—without Googling it?
Because here's what I see all the time:
- 👨🏫 Teachers giving fewer math problems...
- 👩👦 Parents letting their child skip reading assignments…
- 🧑🤝🧑 Support staff simplifying tasks until they’re barely recognizable...
That’s not helping. That’s modifying.
And if you're doing it under the assumption you're just “supporting” the student—you’re actually lowering the bar.
Accommodations vs. Modifications: Know the Difference 🎯
Accommodations change how a student learns — giving them access to grade-level curriculum.
Modifications change what the student is expected to learn — often reducing rigor and long-term opportunity.
❌ They Thought They Were Helping…
A student sits down for a test. The teacher says, “You only need to do half of it.”
Everyone nods. No one questions it. It sounds supportive. It feels kind.
But it might actually be a modification — and that changes everything.
| Area | Accommodation (Access the Same Content) |
Modification (Changes the Content) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Audiobook or text-to-speech | Use a simpler book at a lower grade level |
| Writing | Use speech-to-text software | Complete a shorter writing task or skip the writing |
| Math | Extra time or use of a calculator | Reduce the number of problems or remove multi-step problems |
| Testing | Quiet setting, breaks between sections | Test with reduced difficulty or alternate format |
| Participation | Use of AAC or visual supports | Participate in a completely different activity |
None of these choices are wrong by default — but when we don’t understand the difference, we risk sending a damaging message:
“We don’t expect you to keep up.”
And for many students, that message sticks longer than the lesson.
The Hidden Cost 💸
Every time a student is removed from grade-level expectations without purpose, we chip away at:
- Their self-esteem
- Their access to future opportunities
- Their independence
Stop Guessing. Start Supporting. 💪
If you’ve ever said:
- 🤔 “I just want to make sure I’m doing it right.”
- 🤔 “I’m not sure what’s allowed in an IEP.”
- 🤔 “I want to advocate, but I don’t know how...”
Then you need The IEP Roadmap.
It’s your guide to understanding and navigating IEPs — without confusion, overwhelm, or outdated advice.
Inside you'll learn:
- ✅ How to build and review strong, compliant IEPs
- ✅ Exactly when to use accommodations vs. modifications
- ✅ How to advocate without conflict
- ✅ What vague goals and weak supports really cost your student
This isn’t just for people who write the IEP — it’s for anyone who’s on the team.
📘 Your Next Step: Get the Roadmap
Don’t leave your IEPs to chance. Don’t assume someone else has it covered. The cost is too high — and the fix is right here.
