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Interventions are specific strategies, supports and services designed to help students with disabilities or learning challenges succeed in the classroom. These interventions are tailored to meet the individual need of each student, ensuring they have access to an appropriate education.

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Refers to the practice of modifying instruction to meet the diverse needs, interests and learning styles of all students in a classroom. This involves adjusting content, processes and products so that each student can engage with the material in a way that fits their abilities and helps the succeed. Differentiation is important in inclusive classrooms, where students have different varied reading levels, skills and learning profiles.

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Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction.

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Changes made in how a student accesses or interacts with the learning environment, without altering the content or expectations of the curriculum. These adjustments are made to level the playing field for students with disabilities or learning challenges, ensuring they can Demonstrate their abilities and succeed academically. Accommodations are outlined in a students IEP or 504 plan.

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The Basics: Providing Accommodations - Disability and Access

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Verifying Eligibility and Determining Accommodations | Creating an Accessible Classroom | Providing Accommodations to Students with Letter from D&A | Requests for Accommodations without Letter from D&A | Questions or Concerns | Suggested Dos and Don’ts What is the Purpose of Accommodations? Academic accommodations are designed to reduce or… read more

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Adaptation refers to changes made in the curriculum, teaching strategies or classroom environment that allow students with various needs to participate more fully in the learning process. This generally adjustments made to meet the students needs while ensuring they engage with the core content or skills being taught.

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There are so many different ways to adapt and modify a lesson or activity to make it appropriate for your students. As teachers, we often fall into a rut where we find our favorite adaptations and stick with them. It is fine to have favorites, but it is also important to look at the big ...

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These are changes made to content or expectations of what a student is learning, often to accommodate significant learning challenges or disabilities. This maybe altering the curriculum itself or adjusting the depth or complexity of the material, typically to help students who have significant cognitive, intellectual or physical disabilities access the material at their individual level.

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By Andrew M.I. Lee, JD

At a glance

An academic modification is a change to what a student is taught or expected to do in school.

An example of a modification is less homework or easier assignments.

Before using a modification, it's often better to try changing how a child learns, or try using a different teaching strategy.

School can be a challenge for kids with IEPs and 504 plans. And when they struggle, one possible response is to give them less schoolwork or simpler assignments. This is called an academic modification. A modification is a change to what a student is taught or expected to do in school.

While modifications can make school easier for kids, they can have serious drawbacks. Watch an expert explain more about modifications.

All public schools have academic standards for what kids are expected to learn in each grade. These apply to reading, math, and other subjects. For instance, third graders are usually expected to learn multiplication.

Modifications change these expectations. They're typically used when a child has trouble keeping up in school.

Take a third grader with math challenges who hasn't mastered addition. A school may offer a modification that keeps the child working on addition, while the rest of the class moves on to multiplication. Or the child could have fewer test questions or less homework. (See other examples of modifications.)

Modifications are controversial. It's true that they can make school less of a struggle for students, including kids who learn and think differently. But the result may be that kids learn less than their peers. They may fall behind on important skills. Over time, this can put them at a big disadvantage.

Dive deeper

Deciding whether to use a modification

Alternatives to modifications

Tell us what interests you

About the author

About the author

Andrew M.I. Lee, JD is an editor and attorney who strives to help people understand complex legal, education, and parenting issues.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Melody Musgrove, EdD served as director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the U.S. Department of Education.

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An academic modification is a change to what a student is taught or expected to do in school. An example of a modification is less homework or easier assignments. Before using a modification, it's often better to try changing how a child learns, or try using a different teaching strategy.

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This is teaching that is tailored to meet the needs of students with learning challenges or disabilities. It involves adapting content, methodology or delivery of instruction to ensure that students with disabilities can access the general education curriculum and make progress toward their Individualized goal. SDI is the central component of a students Individualized Education Program(IEP).