What is the difference between modifications and accommodations in special education?

The distinction between modifications and accommodations in special education is fundamentally based on the nature of the changes made to the educational experience.

Modifications are significant adjustments made to the curriculum or learning objectives to meet the individual needs of a student. This may mean altering the learning goals, reducing the complexity of assignments, or changing the expectations for what a student is to achieve. In essence, modifications change the curriculum so that it is more accessible to the student, allowing them to engage with material that is more aligned with their current capabilities rather than the standard expectations set for all students.

Accommodations, on the other hand, are strategies and supports that help a student access the general curriculum without altering the content or expectations. These can include things like extended time on tests, preferential seating, or the use of assistive technologies. Accommodations provide the necessary support that enables students to demonstrate what they have learned, thus maintaining the same learning goals as their peers but giving them tools or modifications to how they access or demonstrate that knowledge.

Thus, the correct choice highlights that modifications fundamentally change what students are expected to learn, while accommodations focus on providing additional support to help students reach those unchanged expectations.