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Definition: An approach to provide support and assistance to students who may be struggling academically or behaviorally.

Students who will need interventions: not meeting grade-level expectations, learning disabilities, gifted students, behavioral support.

Examples: one-on-one tutoring, small group instruction, and behavior contracts.

Website: IXL. It is an effective partner for tiered intervention programs.

High leverage/evidence-based practice: RTI. Website: National Center on Response to Intervention.

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Proven to drive positive learning outcomes for all students, find out how IXL can support your RTI / MTSS programs.

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Definition: A teaching approach where instructions is tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. It also acknowledges that learners have different learning styles, paces, and level of readiness.

Students who will need differentiation: English language learners, learning disabilities, and gifted and talented students.

Examples: allowing students to choose how they learn, setting up a variety of learning stations, and giving students different versions of assignments.

Website: Edutopia. It is used to help you adjust instruction in response to diverse learners' needs and interests.

High leverage/ evidence-based practice: differentiated instruction. Website: ASCD Differentiated Instruction.

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Differentiated Instruction

In this collection of tools and advice from Edutopia and the web, find resources to help you adjust instruction in response to diverse learner needs and interests.

Levels of Understanding: Learning That Fits All: Learn how to develop a framework to support creating homework or practice to meet the needs of all learners. (Edutopia, 2015)

Making Failure Harder Work Than Passing: Discover how one chemistry teacher uses incremental learning goals, formative assessments, and differentiation to inspire students to work hard and reach their potential. (Edutopia, 2015)

5 More Ways to "Remove the Walls" From Your Classroom: Explore five ways to rearrange students across the usual groupings and grade levels while differentiating, hitting the standards, ensuring proficiency, and boosting engagement. (Edutopia, 2015)

Students Matter: 3 Steps for Effective Differentiated Instruction: Check out three strategies for differentiated instruction: knowing students' strengths, involving them in planning, and leveraging the strengths of fellow educators. (Edutopia, 2014)

3 Ways to Plan for Diverse Learners: What Teachers Do: To differentiate learning in the classroom, focus on content, process, and product. For more planning tips, also see 15+ Readiness Resources for Driving Student Success, which provides resources to help teachers meet the readiness needs of all students. (Edutopia, 2014)

Understanding Differentiated Instruction

Make Learning Last: How Diverse Learners Can Process Their Understanding: Find out how quick reflections, surveys, and diverse-perspective assessments can help students to process more deeply and check their own understanding. (Edutopia, 2016)

How Learning Profiles Can Strengthen Your Teaching: Explore ways that collecting data about learners can inform differentiation. (Edutopia, 2014)

3 Guidelines to Eliminating Assessment Fog: Break through assessment fog by identifying and communicating clear learning targets, separating logistical guidelines (like following directions) from academic learning targets, and providing students with different ways to demonstrate their learning. (Edutopia, 2014)

Dipsticks: Efficient Ways to Check for Understanding: Within this primer to formative assessment, you'll find a printable list of 53 ways to check for student understanding. For more ideas, you might also want to check out David Wees' community post with 56 Examples of Formative Assessment and Edutopia's formative assessment page. (Edutopia, 2014)

Tools for Teaching: Ditching the Deficit Model: Read about how to gain knowledge of students' strengths, interests, and hidden talents in order to best determine out how to meet their needs. (Edutopia, 2013)

Planning and Implementation Ideas

Equity vs. Equality: 6 Steps Toward Equity: Explore seven steps toward classroom equity: knowing every child, celebrating their potential, recognizing their challenges, becoming flexible, acknowledging inequity, and using culture as a resource. (Edutopia, 2016)

Serving Gifted Students in General Ed Classrooms: Consider do's and don'ts for meeting the needs of gifted students. (Edutopia, 2015)

Bridging the ADHD Gap: To support the needs of children with ADHD, make the learning child-centered, differentiate, integrate movement and mindfulness, create supportive learning environments, and document the process. (Edutopia, 2015)

Integrating ELL Students in General Education Classes: Learn about differentiated-instruction and formative-assessment strategies that can help general-education teachers of English-Language Learners (ELLs).

The Power of Introverts: An Essential Understanding for Teachers: Understand the characteristics of an introvert to better serve shy and quiet students. (Edutopia, 2013)

Knowing and Assessing Students

Integrating Technology and Literacy: Explore digital tools for text and video annotations, teacher feedback, and formative assessment. (Edutopia, 2016)

100+ Tools for Differentiating Instruction Through Social Media: Find out how social media can enhance differentiated instruction if the tools are selected with a careful eye on individual students' readiness, interests, and learning profiles. (Edutopia, Updated 2016)

Mixing it Up With Mangahigh: Using Games to Differentiate Instruction: Learn how one teachers uses the online math game site Mangahigh to better differentiate instruction. (Edutopia, 2014)

Enhancing Learning Through Differentiated Technology: Discover three tech tools -- SAS Curriculum Pathways, Newsela, and EDpuzzle -- that can help differentiate instruction by showing where students are and offering appropriate formative assessment. (Edutopia, 2015)

Teaching Diverse Learners

Tools for Differentiating Instruction in PBL: Differentiate the content, process, and product of your PBL lessons with tools and practices like Learning Profile Cards, narrative feedback, and design thinking. (Edutopia, 2016)

6 Strategies for Differentiated Instruction in Project-Based Learning: Learn about six simple, effective approaches to differentiated instruction in project-based learning. (Edutopia, Updated 2016)

How Does PBL Support Differentiated Instruction?: Understand how PBL can be designed and managed to factor in students' readiness, interests, and learning profiles. (Buck Institute for Education, 2012)

Differentiating With Technology

Differentiation in Project-Based Learning

Examples and Downloads From Schools That Work

Sample Student Exit Tickets -- Download sample exit tickets that Humboldt teachers use as a quick check for comprehension of that day's lesson; these tickets let teachers know who might need additional help in a small group setting.

Edutopia's flagship series highlights practices and case studies from K-12 schools and districts that are improving the way students learn. Below, find downloads used by practitioners at featured schools, and dive into real-world examples of differentiated instruction.

Small Group Work With "I Choose"
When teachers began asking for time to work with students in small groups, Humboldt Elementary in Dewey-Humboldt, Arizona found the time, adjusted the schedule, and empowered students by mixing scaffolded supports with a variety of student-friendly elective enrichments. Watch the video, and download sample exit tickets used by teachers:

Academic Success for All Students: A Multi-Tiered Approach
At P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville, Florida, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) enables teachers to differentiate and provide each student the right level of instruction to succeed. Learn more, and check out one of this school's tools:

How do you approach differentiated instruction in your classroom? Share tools, resources, experiences, or advice in the comments.

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In this collection of tools and advice from Edutopia and the web, find resources to help you adjust instruction in response to diverse learner needs and interests.

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Definition: A change in the way a student learns or shows their knowledge without changing the content or expectations.

Students who will need accommodations: students with ADHD, dyslexia, mobility impairments, visual impairments.

Examples of accommodations: extended time for testing, priority seating, special lighting, allowed to take breaks.

Website: Education and Behavior. This website lists accommodations for students with learning disabilities.

High leverage/evidence-based practice: Scaffolding. Website: Education Corner Scaffolding.

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Who can have accommodations & modifications in school?

Students who are determined to have a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA) (e.g., autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, emotional disability, learning disability) can get accommodations and medications.

Students who have a disabling condition diagnosed by a medical professional (which impacts their ability to perform at their best in school) can also access accommodations/modifications.

Students eligible for accommodations and/or modifications in school have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan (described in further detail in the paragraphs below).

These are legal documents that outline the accommodations and modifications, along with other relevant information about the student's needs.
You may be interested in 33 Possible Accommodations and Modifications in the Virtual Setting
How do we know if a student meets the criteria for a disability under IDEA?

Whether your child meets the criteria for a disability under IDEA is generally determined by an evaluation completed by a school psychologist.

Sometimes other professionals such as a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, special education teacher, school counselor, or hearing specialist participate in the evaluation process as well.

These same professionals, along with the child's parents or guardians, can help determine what accommodations or modifications should be included in the student's IEP or 504 plan.

Sometimes the student can give insight into what they need as well.

Related Article: How Do You Know if Your Child Needs an IEP at School?

What is the purpose of giving students accommodations or modifications in school?

The purpose of the accommodations and modifications is to provide students with disabilities with the tools they need to be as successful.

It is a way to "level the playing field" with peers by removing any barriers to learning that could be related to the disability.

Just like a student who is visually impaired would receive books written in braille or books on tape so they could learn the material, students with other kinds of disabilities or conditions benefit from accommodations and modifications as well.

What is the difference between accommodations and modifications?

An accommodation gives the student an alternative or more effective way of learning the material.

A modification is a reduction in the amount of material or a change to the material itself.

Here are some more examples:

Accommodation: A student has a learning disability in reading. The teachers read math word problems aloud to the student to ensure understanding.

This allows him/her to focus on the math problem without any confusion that could emerge from reading difficulties.

Modification: A student has a disability in math and has trouble focusing on independent work. They take twice as long as their peers to complete their work. Therefore they are given half the amount of homework, so they can get it done in a timely fashion.

What are some common reasons for accommodations or modifications in school?

There are many reasons why a child might benefit from modifications or accommodations such as difficulty focusing, trouble sitting still, seizures, anxiety or depression, learning difficulties, etc.

However, in each case, the specific reasons need to be related to the child's disability.

You may not know if your child or student needs an IEP or 504 plan.

If you are wondering if a child has a disability or needs an IEP or 504 plan, arrange a meeting with the school team (teacher, administrator, counselor, etc.) to determine the next steps to ensure the child's educational needs are met.

You can request an evaluation from the school to determine what your child needs.

22 School Accommodations & Modifications Available to Children with Disabilities in School

1. Movement breaks.

Movement breaks are often helpful for children who have trouble sitting still.

Movement can include but is not limited to the following:

going to get a drink

taking a walk in the hall

standing up and stretching

passing out materials

running an errand to the office

moving around within area

allowing flexible seating options (e.g., wobble stool, yoga ball)

Movement can also be incorporated into learning activities.
See 10 Fun Activities to Teach Your Child Letter Sounds for ideas to incorporate movement into learning.

Movement is also using fidget items or stress toys such as squishy balls, chair bands, or popits.

These items can be used during a break or during classwork (if used to regulate the need to move and maintain focus).

Other Related Articles:
How to Use Exercise to Help Kids with Autism and ADHD
14 Effective Strategies to Help Children with ADHD (Home and School)

2. Mental breaks.

Mental breaks are often helpful for students who have trouble applying consistent effort for a considerable amount of time.

The student may become considerably frustrated, anxious, or lose focus without a break. The purpose of the break is to allow the student to return to work in a more productive state.

Breaks could include a preferred activity (e.g., drawing, helping a younger class, resting at seat) or a movement activity like the ones mentioned above.

Related Article: 18 Break/Privilege Ideas Increase Student Motivation and Participation

May be helpful for children who have trouble staying seated or sitting still for long periods of time.

4. Extended time allotted for tests, projects, assignments, and quizzes.

Extended time is helpful for students with disabilities who have test anxiety, trouble organizing the steps in a project, difficulty working quickly, difficulty remaining focused on a task, etc.

5. Staff or technology reads aloud test questions or other written material.

Helpful for students with a reading, vision, or intellectual disability, or students who have trouble focusing while reading.

6. Calculators.

A calculator can be helpful for students when their disability affects their ability to solve math calculations.

They may be allowed when solving word problems, science equations, etc. (in my experience, schools have different policies in regard to offering this accommodation).

7. Revise written work to standard before grading student assignment.

This accommodation can be helpful for students with a writing disability, or for students whose writing is affected by focus challenges.

After the first draft, the teacher would give the student feedback about any editing that needs to be done. The student will revise the work, asking for clarification if needed.

This can be done until the assignment meets expectations.

S ee Guided Writing for Supporting Students through this process.

8. Access to the school counselor as determined necessary by the student.

This accommodation can be helpful for students with emotional disabilities (known as emotional disturbance in the school setting).

Students may be suffering from severe anxiety or depression that interferes with work productivity.

You may think all students should have this access, but most students are only allowed to see the guidance counselor on a limited basis.

If your child has an accommodation to see the support staff as needed, visits cannot be limited.

9. Use of a scribe.

A scribe is someone who writes for a student. The student tells the scribe what to write. Helpful for students with fine motor needs (trouble holding a pencil, trouble writing legibly, etc.).

In my personal experience, some schools may not offer this accommodation, so talk to your school team.

Speech-to-text technology apps or programs are another option, such as the notes app on IPAD or the dictation feature on Microsoft Word.

10. Class notes.

Students may get a copy of class notes. They may also get guided notes, in which they fill in the blanks as the teacher explains the concepts, rather than writing all the notes).

Class notes can be helpful for students who have trouble focusing on the lesson while taking notes at the same time or for students who have trouble remembering information from a lesson.

Some students may benefit from an audio recording of the class.
Guided Notes Sample with a Graphic organizer
11. Type or write assignments.

Helpful for students who have trouble holding a pencil, writing legibly, etc. Similar to the reasons for utilizing a scribe or speech-to-text program.

12. Take test in a small group setting.

This accommodation is helpful for students who have trouble focusing in a large setting or for students who need questions/directions read aloud or clarified.

13. Modification of assignments.

A student may be given fewer problems or asked to complete a smaller amount of work.

Another example would be giving a student a multiple-choice test with only three options to choose from whereas most other students have to choose from four choices.

This can be helpful for students who get overwhelmed or confused with the typical assignment.

A student who struggles with written expression may be asked to write two paragraphs instead of five.

A student who gets overwhelmed during math may get 10 problems instead of 20 for homework.

14. Chunking assignment.

This is where an assignment is broken down into mini-assignments and the student is asked to complete each portion one at a time.

For example, if there are 20 questions, the student would be asked to complete five questions (take a break, show the teacher, have the work checked, etc.) and then move on to the next five.

Another example could be a long test broken up into portions over a specified number of days.

Helpful for students who benefit from comprehension checks before moving forward or who have trouble applying sustained effort without losing focus or becoming overwhelmed or frustrated.

15. Reducing the reading level of material.

Here is an example: Let's say an eighth-grade student is reading on a fourth-grade level and has a reading disability.

His science teacher is giving a lesson on astronomy. For this modification, the student would be allowed to read a fourth-grade level book on the subject rather than having to read the eighth-grade level material.

A google search for " astronomy for kds " can also provide some lower-level reading material on the subject.

16. Audio books.

A student with a reading disability or other disability that makes traditional reading difficult would be allowed to listen to an audio version of a book or read along with an audio version to help them better understand the information.

Amazon Audible has Hundreds of Audio Books Itunes Dream Reader App Can Turn Any Text to Audio
17. Preferential seating.

With preferential seating, the student is seated close to the point of instruction, away from distracting items or objects (fidget item okay if needed) such as the door, window, pencil sharpener, etc.

Preferential seating is helpful for students who may become easily distracted by noise and movement.

18. Brief meeting with teacher before reading or writing assignment.

Examples: student meets with teacher to discuss his/her ideas about a writing assignment, teacher share new vocabulary of an upcoming reading assignment, etc.)

19. Using graphic organizers to enhance writing skills and reading comprehension.

See How to Use Graphic Organizers to Improve Academic Skills for more on this topic.

20. Teacher check-ins during independent assignments.

Check-ins are helpful for students who have trouble or who get confused working independently.

This can be helpful for students who need to know when an activity will end due to anxiety about the length of an activity e.g., not knowing how long it will last) or because they need preparation for transitions (changes in activities that are about to occur).
Related Article: 3 Ways to Use Timers to Encourage Homework and Chore Completion
This strategy can be helpful for students who struggle to understand lengthy verbal or written information.
Related Article: A Highly Effective Strategy to Teach Academic Concepts to Children with Autism
Video Presentation

After the original article and video were published we added a bonus accommodation.

23. Utilize a number line or number chart to solve math equations without a calculator.

These tools can be helpful for math if the student cannot access a calculator, or if they want to continue to practice their basic skills.

Educatoin and Behavior - Keeping adults on the same page kids!

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22 School Accommodations Available for Children with Special Needs

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22 Accommodations/Modifications that are available for children with special needs in school.

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Definition: Adjustments made to teaching methods, materials, or the environment to accommodate the needs of the students.

Students who will need adaptations: students with disabilities, students with ADHD, students with autism.

Examples of adaptations: modifications, accommodations, environmental changes, and instructional strategies.

Website: Center for Parent Information and Resources. This website gives information on adaptations and support for modifications and accommodations for students.

High leverage/evidence-based practice: IEPs. Website: Understood IEP Overview.

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Early intervention is the key to setting very young children with delays and disabilities on a path to long-term success. Yet children of color face barriers to accessing these services.

There are several strategies states can use to address systemic racial inequities in the health and education systems in which early intervention services take place. In this 16-page report, The Education Trust identifies the strengths of state approaches and opportunities for increasing equity in providing early intervention services. There's also a 5-page Executive Summary available.

Find out more about and access the report and Executive Summary.

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Center for Parent Information and Resources | Your Central Hub for Parent Centers Serving Families of Children With Disabilities

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Early intervention is the key to setting very young children with delays and disabilities on a path to long-term success. Yet children of color face barriers to accessing these services. There are several strategies states can use to address systemic racial inequities in the health and education systems in which early intervention services take place.

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Definition: Changes being made to what a student is expected to learn and show.

Students who will need modifications: learning disabilities, ADHD, autism.

Examples: reducing the number of materials, providing simplified texts, and adjusting the curriculum to align with a lower skill level.

Website: Understood. This website helps to know what modifications are and gives great examples for them.

High leverage/evidence-based instruction: Assistive technology. Website: CAST Assistive Technology.

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Definition: Instructional strategies, content, or delivery methods designed to meet the needs of a student with a disability.

Students who need specially designed instruction: students who receive accommodations, modifications, and interventions.

Examples: multisensory instruction, differentiated instruction, and explicit instruction.

Website: UFT. This website gives the definition and lots of important information on specially designed instruction.

High leverage/evidence-based instruction: Co-Teaching Models. Website: IRIS Center Co-Teaching.

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Because we're in this TOGETHER

FAQs for this school year

Find answers to questions on vaccination, safety protocols, COVID-19 leaves and absences, remote instruction and more.
Learn more

Sensory tools that have long helped special education students calm down and stay alert in the classroom are now helping general education students ease back into in-person learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought increased challenges to everyone's lives. The UFT's MAP careline offers an empathetic ear and referrals to additional services if you have been struggling with uncertainty and anxiety during these trying times.

The UFT and the principals union are sounding the alarm that the city has no plan to deal with staffing shortages certain to be triggered by the vaccine mandate.

Read more

Union Rights and Benefits

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When I became a full-time teacher, my salary did not reflect my prior experience. The UFT helped me file a grievance...
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Teacher at PS 161 in Brooklyn

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I was able to reduce my student loan debt by $17,500 with help from the UFT. It's a very nice glimmer in this dark time...
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Bilingual special education teacher at the Samara Community School in the Bronx

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I had to be sure the classroom was safe. It was becoming a dangerous situation until the UFT stepped in...
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Pre-K teacher at PS/IS 127 in East Elmhurst, Queens

Read more testimonials

As a union member, you'll have access to valuable benefits and gain a voice in your professional life.

Enroll now

Every October, thousands of UFT members don pink outfits and accessories and come together to walk for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Walks take place in every borough and on Long Island.

On Teacher Union Day each fall, we honor past UFT leaders who inspire us and celebrate current leaders who are helping us forge ahead into the future. This year, the honorees and their families will attend the event in person and other members are invited to participate virtually in the celebration.

See the full calendar

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Because we're in this TOGETHER Find answers to questions on vaccination, safety protocols, COVID-19 leaves and absences, remote instruction and more. Learn more Sensory tools that have long helped special education students calm down and stay alert in the classroom are now helping general education students ease back into in-person learning.