IEP Modifications in Nevada: Accommodations vs. Modifications
What is the difference between accommodations and modifications in a Nevada IEP?
In Nevada, modifications are changes to the curriculum content or performance expectations for a student with a disability. The IEP must document program modifications and supports for school personnel under NAC 388.284. When modifications are employed, the IEP must explain the extent to which the student will not participate with nondisabled peers in regular classes and nonacademic activities. Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who require extensive modifications may take the Nevada Alternate Assessment (NAA) rather than the standard Nevada Statewide Assessment System (NSSAS) tests. Least restrictive environment (LRE) considerations require the IEP team to consider whether the student can make satisfactory progress in the general education setting with appropriate accommodations and modifications before recommending a more restrictive placement (NAC 388.270; 34 CFR 300.114). Any decision to remove a student from the general education environment must be documented with a justification in the IEP.
What Nevada Requires
The IEP must document all program modifications and supports for school personnel needed for the student (NAC 388.284; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
The IEP must explain the extent to which the student will not participate with nondisabled peers in regular classes and nonacademic activities (NAC 388.284; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(5)).
Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities may take the Nevada Alternate Assessment (NAA); the IEP must justify why the student cannot participate in regular state assessments (NAC 388.284; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)).
LRE requirements mandate that the IEP team consider modifications that allow the student to participate in general education before recommending a more restrictive placement (NAC 388.270; 34 CFR 300.114).
The full continuum of educational placements must be available; placement decisions must be made on an individual basis by the IEP team (NAC 388.270; 34 CFR 300.115).
Key Timelines
Modifications must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (NAC 388.290; 34 CFR 300.324).
The IEP team must consider annually whether modifications remain appropriate and whether the student can increase participation in the general curriculum (NAC 388.290).