What defines an accommodation in special education?

An accommodation in special education refers to adjustments made to teaching methods, materials, or the learning environment that enable students to access the general education curriculum effectively. These accommodations do not alter the content or expectations of the curriculum; rather, they provide the necessary support to help students with disabilities participate in learning alongside their peers.

For instance, this may include providing preferential seating, extended time on tests, or using assistive technology. The goal is to level the playing field so that students with special needs have the same opportunities to learn and demonstrate their knowledge as their classmates.

The other options reflect different educational strategies. Changes to curriculum expectations involve altering the actual content that students are expected to learn, which is not consistent with what accommodations are intended to do. A reduction in the amount of material covered could imply modifying the curriculum itself rather than making accommodations for access. Changes to student grading systems might affect how students are assessed rather than how they engage with the curriculum. Thus, the essence of accommodations lies in providing equitable access to learning rather than modifying educational standards.