FTCE Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K-12 Practice Test

What defines accommodations in an IEP?

1. General practices used across all classrooms

2. Adjustments made to aid students in reaching their goals

3. Policies mandated by the state

4. Supports offered by parents

The correct answer is: Adjustments made to aid students in reaching their goals

Accommodations in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are specifically designed to provide adjustments that enable students with disabilities to access the general education curriculum and to reach their educational goals effectively. These can include modifications in the way instruction is delivered, changes in the classroom environment, or alterations in assessment methods that take into account the unique needs of the student. The essence of accommodations is to ensure that the student has equitable access to learning opportunities without changing the standard or expectations of the curriculum. This means that while the goals and objectives remain the same as those for their peers, the resources and strategies used to achieve them are tailored to the individual student's needs. In contrast, general classroom practices apply uniformly to all students, while state policies may dictate certain educational standards but do not specifically address individual accommodations for students. Parental support is essential in a child's education but does not itself classify as an accommodation within an IEP. Thus, the adjustments made to aid students in reaching their goals accurately captures the purpose and function of accommodations in an IEP.