Instructional Accommodations/ Modifications in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Teacher Implementation Guide

2007Modifications Implementation Guide2 What Are Instructional Accommodations/ Modifications? Individualized strategies and techniques that provide a student with an opportunity to be successful

2007Modifications Implementation Guide3 IDEA on Accommodations/ Modifications "The IEP for each child with a disability must include... a statement of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services, based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable, to be provided to the child, or on behalf of the child, and a statement of the program modifications or supports for school personnel that will be provided to enable the child- –"(i) To advance appropriately toward attaining the annual goals; –"(ii) To be involved in and make progress in the general curriculum in accordance with 34 CFR § (a)(1) and to participate in extracurricular and other nonacademic activities; and –" (iii) To be educated and participate with other children with disabilities and nondisabled children in the activities described in this section;" 34 CFR § (a)(4) From the Regulations:

2007Modifications Implementation Guide4 Why Are Instructional Accommodations/ Modifications Important? Accommodations/ Modifications –Provide students with an appropriate education –Are a necessary instructional strategy and not just a nice strategy to have –Give the student a level playing field

2007Modifications Implementation Guide5 Are Accommodations and Modifications the Same? Accommodations are changes to the WAY students access instruction and demonstrate performance Modifications are changes to WHAT students are expected to learn In CFISD, the term “Modifications” is used to describe Both accommodations and modifications

2007Modifications Implementation Guide6 Now that we know what accommodations/ modifications are and why they are important……..

2007Modifications Implementation Guide7 How Do Students Receive Accommodations/ modifications? The Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD)/IEP Committee, made up of both general and special education campus staff, determines –The individual educational needs of each student with a disability –What accommodations/ modifications will be needed for that student to be successful, and –Where the necessary accommodations/ modifications will occur

2007Modifications Implementation Guide8 Receiving YOUR Student’s Accommodations/ Modifications General and special education teachers who have the student will receive a copy of the student’s accommodations/ modifications Accommodations/ modifications are noted on page 4 of the IEP document Copies are available from your campus diagnostician or their clerical assistant If you did not receive a copy of a student’s accommodations/ modifications, please request your copy from the diagnosticians office

2007Modifications Implementation Guide9 Providing Accommodations/ Modifications for YOUR Students Accommodations/ modifications are necessary adjustments to the educational program as determined by the ARD Committee Accommodations/ modifications should be provided on an on-going basis Accommodations/ modifications are to be provided every day that the modification applies to the activity or task

2007Modifications Implementation Guide10 Documenting Modification Implementation Teachers who have students with accommodations/ modifications need to document the date and nature of what accommodations/ modifications were provided Written documentation shows that required accommodations/ modifications were provided Documentation should be shared with the parents and/or ARD committee as requested

2007Modifications Implementation Guide11 Some Ways To Demonstrate Accommodations/ Modifications Were Provided Completed work samples Teacher observation Grade books Documentation on special forms (see handout) Assessments and evaluations including –Pre and post testing –Modified testing –Oral testing

2007Modifications Implementation Guide12 What if a Modification Needs to be Changed? Occasionally a modification may not be applicable in a particular class Accommodations/ modifications can be changed, however, all accommodations/ modifications must be considered and changed through an ARD meeting General or special education teachers present and share documentation in the ARD meeting about why the modification is not working or not needed

2007Modifications Implementation Guide13 Where Do I Get More Information? On Campus –CFISD accommodations/ modifications Book –Diagnostician –Special Ed Teachers –Assistant Principals –Special Ed Department Chair (secondary) –Director of Instruction (secondary) –Staff Development Opportunities ISC and Off Campus –Special Education District Coordinators –Staff Development Opportunities

2007Modifications Implementation Guide14 “If children do not learn the way we teach them, then we must teach them the way they learn.” Rita Dunn