IEP Accommodations in Kentucky
What IEP accommodations are available in Kentucky?
Kentucky IEPs must specify all accommodations enabling the student to access the general curriculum and participate in state and district assessments. Under 707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(8), the IEP must include supplementary aids and services, program modifications, and supports for school personnel. For state assessments, the IEP must specify individual appropriate accommodations in accordance with 703 KAR 5:070; if the student will take Kentucky's alternate portfolio assessment, the ARC must document why the student cannot participate in the standard assessment and identify the alternate assessment (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(10)-(11)). Kentucky administers the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) for most students and the Alternate K-PREP/alternate portfolio for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Accommodations must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (707 KAR 1:290, Section 1). All service providers must be informed of their specific accommodation responsibilities before IEP implementation (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5). The ARC determines appropriate accommodations based on individualized needs documented in the evaluation. Under KRS 157.200, the Kentucky Board of Education is responsible for ensuring that LEAs provide the necessary supports for exceptional children. The KDE publishes an annual Inclusion of Special Populations in the State-Required Assessment and Accountability Programs guide (703 KAR 5:070) that details allowable accommodations for KSA testing, including timing, setting, presentation, and response accommodations. Accommodations used during instruction should be consistent with those used during assessment to ensure validity.
What Kentucky Requires
The IEP must specify all supplementary aids and services and program modifications to support the student's access to the general curriculum (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(8); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
For state assessments, the IEP must list individual appropriate accommodations consistent with 703 KAR 5:070 (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(10)).
If the student will take an alternate portfolio assessment, the ARC must document why the student cannot participate in standard assessments and which alternate assessment is appropriate (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(11)).
All service providers must be informed of their specific accommodation responsibilities before IEP implementation (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5).
Accommodations must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (707 KAR 1:290, Section 1; KRS 157.230).
Assistive technology devices and services must be available when required by the IEP, including for use at home when the ARC determines it is necessary (707 KAR 1:290, Section 7).
Assessment accommodations must be consistent with instructional accommodations to ensure valid assessment results; the KDE's Inclusion Guide (703 KAR 5:070) specifies allowable accommodations for KSA testing including timing, setting, presentation, and response categories.
The ARC must consider assistive technology needs as one of the five special factors for every IEP (707 KAR 1:320, Section 5(2)(e)).
Key Timelines
Accommodations must be in effect at the beginning of each school year and as soon as possible after the IEP is developed (707 KAR 1:320, Section 2; 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
IEP accommodations must be reviewed at least annually by the ARC (707 KAR 1:320; 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Assessment accommodations must be documented in the IEP before administration of state assessments under 703 KAR 5:070.
Sources
Related IEP Guides
IEP Accommodations vs Modifications: What Parents Need to Know
Accommodations change how your child learns. Modifications change what — and can affect their diploma. Know the difference before your next IEP meeting.
Sensory Accommodations: The Full List Schools Don't Tell You About
The complete list of sensory accommodations for IEPs — auditory, visual, tactile, movement, oral, environmental, and testing. Sample IEP language included.