In what way does a modification differ from an accommodation?

A modification significantly differs from an accommodation in that it fundamentally changes the content that a student is expected to learn. When modifications are implemented, they adjust curriculum expectations to meet a student's individual needs, which can include altering the complexity of the material or reducing the amount of material required for mastery. This is particularly beneficial for students who may not be able to engage with grade-level standards due to various reasons, including learning disabilities or other exceptionalities.

In contrast, accommodations generally involve changes to the way a student accesses information or demonstrates their learning without altering the content itself. While providing extra time for assessments may be an accommodation designed to level the playing field for students, modifications directly impact what the student is taught or what is deemed necessary for them to learn. Therefore, when discussing differences, it is vital to understand that modifications involve a substantive change to the educational goals for the student, while accommodations focus on how the student engages with and shows their understanding of the same expected content.