How do accommodations differ from modifications?

Accommodations differ from modifications primarily in how they approach the educational content and the tasks that students are expected to perform. Accommodations are designed to provide support that allows students with disabilities or different learning needs to access the same curriculum as their peers. This means that while the learning goals and material remain the same, the way in which students interact with the material may change. For example, a student might use assistive technology or receive extra time on tests, thereby maintaining the integrity of the educational standards.

On the other hand, modifications involve altering the curriculum or learning objectives so that students work with different expectations or content compared to their peers. Modifications might mean simplifying a task or reducing the complexity of the subject matter being taught.

This distinction highlights the importance of access versus content change. Accommodations focus on leveling the playing field by providing supports while preserving the same academic goals, which directly aligns with the concept of maintaining the same material availability.