FAQ: Documenting Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
1. What is an accommodation?
An accommodation is a change in the teaching or testing process so that the student can access instruction and assessment without the barrier caused by his or her disability. An accommodation removes or reduces the barrier and creates a level playing field where the student can demonstrate content knowledge and skills.
2. Do all students with disabilities need accommodations?
It depends on the nature of the student’s disability and how it impacts their ability to learn and show what they learned. Some students need a few accommodations, some need many, and some may need none. Check the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan for specifics.
3. When an accommodation is an instructional strategy that is made available for all students, am I still required to document?
It is true that many accommodations are simply good instructional strategies that benefit all students. It is often more effective to make certain accommodations available to all students as a resource or support to make learning better for everyone. Even in this instance, it is important to document the implementation of the accommodation for the student with disability.
4. Do I need to provide and document accommodations for a student under Section 504?
If a student has accommodations listed in the Section 504 plan, they must be provided and documented.
5. Where can I learn more about accommodations for instruction and assessment?
Houston ISD has an online course on Accommodating Students with Disabilities in the Hub. Be sure to enroll.
6. Who is required to provide and document accommodations?
According to state and federal law, all instructional staff- content area teachers, ancillary teachers, teachers of elective courses, and special education teachers must provide the accommodations identified in a student's IEP or Section 504 plan in daily instruction and in all assessments-classroom, district, state, and national. Failure to implement and document accommodations places you, your school, and Houston ISD at risk.
7. How do I document accommodations?
Accommodations can be documented in the lesson planning process and in the grade keeping process.
8. Is there a form I must use to document accommodations?
Houston ISD has developed a suggested documentation template. Feel free to use this template or if you are already using something that is working well for you, continue using it if it has all these components.
9. Where can I find the template for documenting accommodations?
The template is available in multiple places. Here are the links:
Operating Guidelines http://hisdoses.wikispaces.com/Accommodations%2C+Modifications%2C+Supplementary+Aids%2C+and+Services
Office of Special Education Services website http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/75311
Houston ISD Hub
https://files.itslearning.com/data/2517/91221/special%20education%20documentation%20of%20accommodations%20.pdf?
Easy IEP- Must be logged in
https://go11.pcgeducation.com/easyiep.plx?op=authenticated&CustomerName=txhouston&SessionID=A20F1F50-6CAC-1014-801E-B765D3F9F973&MobileBrowsing
10. Do I need to submit the documentation of accommodations for review?
Check with your supervisor on how often he/she wants to review documentation of accommodations. It is best practice for school leaders to review instructional accommodations when they review lesson plans, conduct classroom observations, or do informal walk-throughs. Documentation may also be needed when developing student IEPs, and in responding to a complaint or request for hearing. Always being prepared with documentation is highly recommended and is best practice.
11. If I provide the accommodations but just don’t get around to documenting them, is that okay?
Unfortunately, it is not okay. Not having a way to show how you implemented accommodations for a student with disabilities can put you, the school, and the district at legal risk.
12. When should I expect to receive a list of accommodations my students need?
As a teacher who is responsible for implementing the accommodations in a student’s IEP or Section 504 plan, you should receive a copy of the accommodations at the beginning of the school year or immediately after an ARD/IEP meeting or Section 504 meeting. You will need to sign that you received the accommodations and understand how to implement them.
13. Who can I contact if I have questions about how to document accommodations?
Contact your department chairperson, the program specialist assigned to your school, or Tiffany Hill, Program Specialist in the Office of Special Education Services at