What are accommodations in special education?

Accommodations in special education are defined as changes made to the environment or instructional methods that enable students with disabilities to access the curriculum effectively. This can include adjustments such as providing additional time for tests, using assistive technology, modifying teaching strategies, or altering classroom layouts to reduce distractions. The goal of accommodations is to provide students with equal opportunities to succeed in their educational endeavors without altering the content or standards of what is being taught.

The other options do not fully capture the essence of accommodations. While changes to assessment methods can be a form of accommodation, they are not exhaustive of what accommodations entail. Simply increasing homework assignments may not serve to facilitate access, as it may add pressure rather than support. Standardized test modifications can be specific examples of accommodations but do not encompass the broader concept of assisting students in various aspects of their learning environment. Therefore, recognizing accommodations as environmental or instructional changes provides a clearer understanding of their role in supporting students with disabilities.