In an IEP, what is the difference between accommodations and modifications? Example.

• A. Accommodations change what content is learned; modifications change access (e.g., extended time).
• B. Accommodations change how a student accesses content; modifications change what content is to be learned (e.g., extended time; alternate assignments).
• C. Accommodations and modifications are the same.
• D. Neither affects instruction.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that accommodations change how the student engages with the material, not what they are expected to learn, while modifications change the content or standards themselves. So, accommodations alter access—things like extended time, assistive technology, or read-aloud supports help the student work with the same curriculum. Modifications, however, adjust what the student is asked to learn or demonstrate—such as simpler tasks, fewer problems, or alternate assignments that align with a different set of expectations. This distinction is why the statement is correct: it keeps the focus on access versus curriculum. In practice, extended time is typically an accommodation, and alternate assignments are typical modifications, illustrating the different roles.