Accommodations as Solutions: Complexity Simplified or Reduced

List of needs and solutions

Solutions in Instructional Methods and Materials

Instructions

• Provide an overview of learning outcomes and content at beginning of lesson.
• Present material in logical manner; use cues to shift from one aspect to the next.
• Break complex information into steps; identify key components.
• Repeat, paraphrase, and summarize key information, especially at end of lecture or discussion.

Notataking

• Provide oral and visual prompts during lecture about what to include in notes.
• Provide copies of transparencies, lecture outline, or graphic organizer to assist with notetaking.
• Key class notes to relevant text pages.

Support

• Let student use book written on lower reading level to focus on main ideas.
• Have student read summary or lesson objectives first.
• Have student read review questions first then find answers.
• Teach explicit problem-solving strategies.
• Use summary feature of word processing software to cognitively rescale text.

Solutions in Assignments and Assessments

Instructions

• Repeat or simplify instructions, numbering each step.
• Read test instructions to student and simplify language.
• Reduce total amount of work, selecting only tasks needed to meet learning objectives.

Highlighting

• Use color coding to help identify tasks, meanings, or expectations.
• Show student how to cover part of text or workbook not being used.

Support

• Provide study guide for student to follow during independent reading.
• Prepare a summary with blanks or questions for students to complete.
• Use real-life, concrete materials when introducing abstract ideas.
• Let student use concrete materials and manipulatives when learning math concepts.
• Use clear formatting for handouts, assignments, and tests.
• Place dot in upper left side of paper to help student remember where to start writing.
• Allow partial participation in cooperative groups.
• Let student use references, such as spelling dictionary, atlas, thesaurus, globe, periodic table, chart of math facts.

Classroom Tests

• Use symbols, such as arrow or stop sign, on test or answer form to help student follow directions.
• Indicate sections for each response by drawing lines or folding paper.
• Use template to focus attention on one line of text or one column of math problem.
• Reduce number of items per page.
• Block matching questions into small groups of 4 or 5 items.
• Provide word banks for fill-in-the-blank questions.
• Eliminate one choice from multiple choice items.
• Require fewer questions, but select items that measure all required content and skills.
• Give partial credit for answers that are partially correct.
• Give shorter tests more frequently.

FCAT

• Repeat, clarify, or summarize test directions.
• Reduce number of items per page.
• Cover portions of test to direct attention to uncovered items.

Solutions in Learning Environment

• Allow partial participation in cooperative groups.
• Store classroom materials and supplies in a consistent, predictable manner.

Solutions in Time Demands or Scheduling

• Give student shorter and easier tasks first.
• Give student tasks to complete in short periods of time.
• Reduce length of written assignments, or allow more time.
• Break long-term assignment into parts with corresponding due dates.
• At first, give student partial credit for late or incomplete assignments, until student is able to complete.

List of needs and solutions