Managing the Rise in Student Accommodations

As a special education teacher, my annual week before-school routine involved delivering stacks of IEPs and 504 plans to general education teachers. I watched their faces fall as they reviewed the documents, realizing the number of accommodations they’d need to implement for their students. While I felt guilty adding to their workload, I knew these legally mandated accommodations were imperative for my students to success.

This scene plays out in schools across the country, reflecting a broader trend in education that has left many teachers grappling with an ever-increasing load of student accommodations – but there are strategies to make this challenge more manageable.

Introduction

The demand for student accommodations has skyrocketed in recent years. Since 2018, accommodation requests have risen significantly, with one in five college students now granted accommodations. This trend is mirrored in K-12 education, leaving many educators feeling overwhelmed and underprepared.

As teachers, we’re expected to cover all course content, maintain academic rigor, provide all necessary accommodations and modifications, and keep our students engaged. It is nearly impossible to do all this, and it’s no wonder there is significant educator burnout.

But here’s the good news: while fulfilling all accommodation requests may seem unrealistic, there are strategies to make this daunting task more manageable. Let’s dive into some practical tips to help you navigate these challenges while supporting all your students effectively.

Understanding Common Accommodations

Before we get into strategies, let’s quickly review some common accommodations you might encounter (this is far from an exhaustive list but used to demonstrate a thought process):

Extra time for assignments and tests
Preferential seating to minimize distractions
Use of assistive technology (ex., speech-to-text tools, use of a computer for notes, etc.)
Small group instruction
Visual schedules and directions
Note-taking assistance

Important: What is best practice for all students is essential for students with accommodations. Many of the strategies we’ll discuss can benefit your entire class while fulfilling specific accommodation requirements.

Strategies for Managing Accommodations Effectively

1. Find and Execute Your “Lead Domino”

The “lead domino” concept suggests that one strategic routine can trigger a cascade of positive effects in your classroom. To identify your lead domino in managing accommodations:

Reflect on your past challenges: Which accommodation-related tasks consistently caused frustration?
Analyze your time: What accommodation duties consumed most of your time?
Pinpoint your biggest pain point: Which issue, if resolved, would significantly ease your workload?
Once identified, create a routine to address this key challenge.

For example, if you were overwhelmed by constant emails about assignment details, your lead domino might be to improve your online portal’s organization. By posting a weekly schedule every Monday morning, you provide clarity to students, parents, and support staff about upcoming assignments and expectations.

This proactive approach can dramatically reduce emails and enable you to focus more on teaching.

2. Optimize Online Learning Portals

Currently, most teachers use online portals like Google Classroom, Schoology, and Canvas. If used correctly, they are invaluable tools for managing accommodations. Here’s how to make the most of them:

Make sure your portal is as organized as possible. Ask several people in your life to find an assignment of yours with few instructions to see if it is intuitive to others.
All assignment information (rubric, details, resources) should be in one easily accessible place.
Break large projects into smaller deadlines and clearly display these on the portal.
Upload teacher slides and class notes when possible. Yes, this feels like a huge lift, but it knocks out many accommodation requests in one go.

Remember, “discipline equals freedom” when it comes to setting up these portals. It may feel like a lot of work upfront, but it will save you countless hours and parent emails on the backend.

What accommodations organized online portals support:

Extra time for assignments and tests
Visual schedules and directions
Note-taking assistance
Use of assistive technology (as students can access materials digitally)
Small group instruction (support staff can easily access materials for targeted instruction)

3. Proactively Upload Materials

By uploading your slides and class notes, you’re not just helping students with accommodations. You’re also enabling special education teachers, school psychologists, counselors, and other support staff to do their jobs more effectively without flooding your inbox.

This practice benefits all students and parents, allowing them to review material at their own pace and supporting different learning styles.

What accommodations proactively uploading materials support:

Note-taking assistance
Extra Time
Use of assistive technology (students can use text-to-speech tools with digital materials)
Small group instruction (support staff can easily access materials for targeted instruction)

4. Teach and Practice Self-Advocacy

Many students struggle with self-advocacy, especially those with learning differences. Here’s how you can help:

Role-play situations that simulate real-life situations, like asking for help on a difficult assignment or extra time.
Design lessons on appropriately advocating for the entire class.
Implement student-led conferences where students present their learning progress and needs.

Teaching these skills empowers students to take ownership of their learning and potentially reduce the number of issues they need to manage directly.

What accommodations practicing self-advocacy support:

While this doesn’t directly fulfill specific accommodations, it empowers students to effectively communicate their needs related to all accommodations, potentially improving the implementation of:

Extra time for assignments and tests
Preferential seating
Use of assistive technology
Small-group instruction

5. Set Clear Expectations for Deadlines

Clarity is needed for students with accommodations. Many students with 504s or IEPs may not fully understand their accommodations or why their assignment deadlines differ from those of their peers. To address this, use clear, unambiguous language when setting expectations.

For example, use statements like: “The paper is due on Thursday. For those with extra-time accommodations, your deadline is next Monday.” This approach sets clear boundaries for all students without singling out students individually. It also fulfills accommodation requirements and helps students learn to manage their time effectively.

This approach sets clear boundaries and maintains accountability while fulfilling accommodations.

What accommodations clear expectations support:

Extra time for assignments and tests
Visual schedules and directions (by clearly communicating deadlines)
Extra time

Commonly Asked Questions

Do I really need to fulfill all these accommodations?

Yes, you do. Accommodations listed in IEPs and 504 plans are legally mandated. These plans are legally binding documents, and schools are required to implement the accommodations they contain.

However, remember that many accommodations can be implemented in ways that benefit all students. By focusing on inclusive teaching practices, you can meet accommodation requirements while improving the learning experience for your entire class.

How can I track all these different accommodations?

Creating a master accommodation spreadsheet can be helpful. List all your students with accommodations and their specific needs. Keep this chart easily accessible for quick reference.

There are plenty of available examples of tracking forms online or tutorials on making your own.

What if I’m struggling to implement all the required accommodations?

If implementing all required accommodations is challenging, don’t hesitate to seek support. Speak with your school’s special education department, administrators, or the student’s case manager. They can offer guidance and resources.

Remember, it’s better to ask for help than to risk not providing a student with their legally mandated accommodations.

Fulfilling all accommodation requests can feel like an impossible job. The increasing diversity of student needs, coupled with the rise in formal accommodation plans, has added significant complexity to the already challenging role of an educator. On top of all that, we know that many of you are working with your largest class sizes to date. But, the more proactive you are in setting up systems and routines to fulfill accommodations, the more successful your students will be AND the less parents emails you’ll receive.

While these strategies won’t eliminate all challenges, they can make your job more manageable. Start with one or two approaches and build from there. By focusing on clear communication, proactive planning, and inclusive practices, you can create a supportive classroom environment for all students while meeting specific accommodation requirements.

Your commitment makes a real difference in students’ lives, even when it doesn’t feel like it. Thank you for your amazing work!

Need More Help?

If your staff needs support with executive function skills and accommodation implementation, Untapped Learning can help. Our expert team offers targeted professional development to equip teachers with effective strategies for diverse learning needs.

For More:

Classroom Accommodations for ADHD

Common Accommodations and Modifications in School

Accommodations in the Classroom: A Guide to Making Them Real