IEP Accommodations in Kansas
What IEP accommodations are available in Kansas?
Kansas IEPs must specify all accommodations that enable a student with a disability to access the general curriculum and participate in instruction and assessments. Under K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(4), the IEP must include a statement of supplementary aids and services and program modifications. For state assessments — specifically the Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) — the IEP team must specify any individual appropriate accommodations. If the student will take the Kansas Alternate Assessment (KAA), the IEP must explain why the student cannot participate in the regular KAP and why the alternate assessment is appropriate (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(6); K.S.A. 72-3404). The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) publishes an Accommodations Manual for the KAP that specifies which accommodations are permissible and which constitute modifications that invalidate scores. All 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 Kansas Requires
The IEP must specify all supplementary aids and services and program modifications to support the student's access to the general curriculum and participation in regular education settings (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(4); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
For Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) state assessments, the IEP must list all individual appropriate accommodations (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(6)).
If the student will take the Kansas Alternate Assessment (KAA), the IEP must explain why the student cannot participate in the KAP and why the KAA is appropriate (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(6); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)).
All teachers and service providers must be informed of the accommodations in the IEP and their specific responsibilities for implementation (34 CFR 300.323(d)).
Accommodations must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (K.S.A. 72-3404; 34 CFR 300.17).
Accommodations must not fundamentally alter what is being learned or assessed — changes that alter content standards are modifications, not accommodations.
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 (K.A.R. 91-40-18(a)).
Accommodations must be implemented starting on the projected start date specified in the IEP (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(7)).