Special Education

SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS

Mrs. Shelley Brown, Inclusion Support Coach slbrown@llschools.net

At Sundance Elementary, my role involves supporting general education teachers with strategies for implementing IEPs (Individual Education Plans) and providing accommodations and modifications, modeling and coaching to ensure students with disabilities have access to the general curriculum, and aiding teachers in using data to drive instruction and improve student achievement. I also facilitate IEP meetings and collaborate with parents and educators to develop these programs effectively. If you have a child with an IEP or have questions about Special Education in general, please reach out to me.

SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS

Mrs. Shelley Brown, Inclusion Support Coach slbrown@llschools.net

UNDERSTANDING ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS

If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), you’ve probably heard the terms accommodations and modifications. While they sound similar, they serve different purposes—and both are important in helping students succeed.

Accommodations are changes in how a student learns and shows what they know. They don’t change what is being taught but make learning more accessible. Think of accommodations as giving a student the tools or support they need to reach the same goals as their peers.

Examples: extra time on assignments or tests, preferential seating, breaks during work, using speech-to-text, or having instructions read aloud.
These supports help students access the same curriculum while building independence and confidence.

Modifications, on the other hand, change what a student is expected to learn. They adjust the content or performance expectations to match a student’s individual learning level.

Examples: shortened assignments, alternate grading criteria, or a simplified reading passage covering the same topic.
Modifications ensure that students can learn and demonstrate understanding in a way that is appropriate for their abilities.

Both accommodations and modifications are designed to give students equitable opportunities to learn and grow. The goal is always progress—helping every child reach their fullest potential with the right level of support.
Together, families and schools can ensure each child’s IEP reflects what they need to

thrive both academically and emotionally. "

Fair isn’t everyone getting the same thing. Fair is everyone getting what they need to succeed."