School can be a challenge for kids with and . And when they struggle, one possible response is to give them less schoolwork or simpler assignments. This is called an academicmodification. A modification is a change to whata student is taught or expected to do in school.
While modifications can make school easier for kids, they can have serious drawbacks. Watch an expert explain more about modifications.
All public schools have academic standardsfor what kids are expected to learn in each grade. These apply to reading, math, and other subjects. For instance, third graders are usually expected to learn multiplication.
Modifications change these expectations. They’re typically used when a child has trouble keeping up in school.
Take a third grader withmath challengeswho hasn’t mastered addition. A school may offer a modification that keeps the child working on addition, while the rest of the class moves on to multiplication. Or the child could have fewer test questions or less homework.(See other examples of modifications.)
Modifications are controversial. It’s true that they can make school less of a struggle for students, including kids who learn and think differently. But the result may be that kids learn less than their peers. They may fall behind on important skills. Over time, this can put them at a big disadvantage.
