3 common reasons schools change accommodations
A school can choose to change a child’s accommodations. But this decision must be based on evidence. Learn common reasons schools change a student’s accommodations.
If the school has decided to change accommodations in your child’s or , you may be wondering why. Most schools have good reasons for wanting to change accommodations. Here are three common reasons.
1. Your child no longer needs them.
If your child’s performance has improved, the school may believe the accommodation is no longer needed. For example, a child who struggles to recall math facts may be allowed to use a calculator on math tests. But after working for several months with the teacher on math facts, the child’s performance improves. The child no longer needs a calculator for help on math tests.
Sometimes a change like this can feel like punishment to a child. But you and the teacher can prepare your child in a way that makes it clear that this is evidence of improved skills.
2. Your child is transitioning to a new school or a new grade.
Accommodations that were agreed on in the old school or prior grade may not be agreed on now. For instance, an elementary school might agree to teach reading in the morning if that’s when a child can best focus. But when the child moves to middle school, the schedule will probably be more rigid. It won’t allow for reading only first thing in the morning.
If this is the case with your child, ask the school which supports will be provided in place of the old ones. You want to make sure your child can continue to make progress.
3. Something else could help your child more.
Accommodations change how your child learns or shows knowledge. A common example is getting more time to complete tests. But what happens if your child is no longer successful even with the extra time?
When this is the case, the school might decide your child needs specialized instruction instead of an accommodation. But it needs to make this decision based on evidence. And that evidence must prove that your child is having a tough time even with the accommodation. That’s why it’s important to ask questions and insist on evidence before deciding whether to agree to the change.
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Most schools have good reasons for changing a child's accommodations. But what happens when you don't agree with those changes? Learn about your rights and get expert advice on how to respond.
