Q: My child's teacher says if they provide *any* modifications for my child, she won't be able to graduate with a regular diploma. Is this true?
Answer:
Subject:
Re: Modifications in the regular classroom
There is a fine distinction between modifications and accomodations..
What you REALLY want is "Accomodations". Modifications can result
in your child receiving less than a regular diploma.. usually
a "Certificate of Attendance" or a "Special Education Diploma".
Modifications are changes to the actual content your child is
required to learn.. In other words, she doesn't have to learn
the same things as the other children. If a child is properly
remediated for Learning Disabilities such as Dyslexia, Modifications
SHOULD only be temporary --until the child can achieve on grade
level, and should have no affect on a diploma if the child is
remediated prior to high school. (A BIG trick here is getting
the child SUCCESSFULLY remediated in a timely manner -- it usually
takes three years of effective, dedicated remediation).
Accomodations, however, are different means of presenting the
SAME information in a viable way for the child and/or providing
alternative methods for a child to convey her knowledge. Accomodations
are things like untimed tests, having the test given orally, having
a scribe for taking notes, having extended time for assignments,
allowing assignments to be typed rather than written by hand,
and having content read to the child. Accomodations make the SAME
curriculum that other children are given accessible to a child
with a disability. The child still has to learn the same content
as other children.
So, things like accomodations for spelling on a vocabulary test
SHOULD be made.. She KNOWS the word.. The true point of vocabulary
words is for the child to know the word and what it means.. Not
necessarily spelling. Not counting off for spelling is a COMMON
accomodation for children with dyslexia! As my hubby says, "That
is what word processors are for." ;-)
It might help you to take a look at the Accomodations
and Modifications section of our Free
Online IEP training.
To find specific accommodations that might help your child, you may want to visit www.fape.org or look at their PDF document with lists of "School Accommodations and Modifications".
Best Wishes,Sandy