IEP Accommodations in Alaska
What IEP accommodations are available in Alaska?
Alaska IEPs must specify all accommodations that enable students with disabilities to access the general curriculum and participate in assessments. Under 4 AAC 52.540(b)(4), the IEP must include a statement of supplementary aids and services and program modifications to support the student in regular education settings. For state and districtwide assessments, including the Alaska System of Academic Readiness (AK STAR) and the Alaska Alternate Assessment (AA-AAS), the IEP must specify any individual appropriate accommodations. If the student will take the alternate assessment, the IEP must explain why the student cannot participate in regular assessments and which alternate assessment is appropriate (4 AAC 52.540(b)(5)). Alaska's DEED publishes approved accommodation lists for state assessments. Accommodations must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE. All teachers and service providers must be informed of their specific responsibilities for implementing accommodations (34 CFR 300.323(d)).
What Alaska Requires
The IEP must specify all supplementary aids and services and program modifications to support the student's access to the general curriculum (4 AAC 52.540(b)(4)).
For state and districtwide assessments (AK STAR), the IEP must list individual appropriate accommodations (4 AAC 52.540(b)(5)).
If the student will take the Alaska Alternate Assessment (AA-AAS), the IEP must explain why the student cannot participate in the regular assessment (4 AAC 52.540(b)(5)).
All regular and special education teachers and related service providers must be informed of the student's accommodations and their implementation responsibilities (34 CFR 300.323(d)).
Accommodations must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (AS § 14.30.180; 34 CFR 300.17).
Key Timelines
Accommodations must be in effect at the beginning of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
IEP accommodations must be reviewed at least annually and revised as needed (4 AAC 52.540(d)).
Progress on the effectiveness of accommodations is reviewed through periodic progress reports at least as frequently as report cards (4 AAC 52.540(b)(3)).