What is the difference between a modification, accommodation, and an adaptation?
Think of any type of change to the way you would traditionally carry out instruction and assessment as adaptations. Adaptations then fall into two categories: accommodations and modifications. Accommodations are adaptations (changes) in materials or procedures that provide access to instruction and assessments for students with disabilities. They are designed to enable students with disabilities to learn without the impediment of their disabilities, and to show their knowledge and skills rather than the effects of their disabilities. (Thurlow, M. (2002). Accommodations for students with disabilities in high school (Issue brief). Examining current challenges in secondary education and transition (1)1.Minneapolis, MN: National Center on Secondary Education and Transition. Modifications are those adaptations (changes) that can be made to your curriculum, your instruction, your classroom environment or how you assess students. Through modification, you change what the student is expected t
