IEP Accommodations in Ohio
What IEP accommodations are available in Ohio?
Ohio requires every IEP to include a statement of individual appropriate accommodations that are necessary to measure the academic achievement and functional performance of the child on state and districtwide assessments (ORC §3323.011(F); OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(g); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)). If the IEP team determines that the child shall take an alternate assessment on a particular state or districtwide assessment, the IEP must contain a statement of why the child cannot participate in the regular assessment and why the particular alternate assessment selected is appropriate for the child (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(h); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)(ii)). Ohio's Assessment Accessibility System, governed by the Ohio Accessibility Manual published by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, organizes supports into four tiers: Universal Tools (available to all students regardless of disability status), Designated Supports (specific tools for particular student populations), Accommodations (modifications for students with disabilities documented in IEPs or 504 plans), and Administrative Considerations (procedural adjustments for testing conditions). Accommodations must be formally documented in the student's IEP before they can be used on Ohio's State Tests. The Ohio Accessibility Manual emphasizes that educators should not introduce accommodations to the student for the first time during state testing — accommodations must be used during regular instruction and classroom assessments before being applied during state testing. For students requiring accommodations beyond those listed in the Accessibility Manual, districts may submit a Unique Accommodation Request Form through the District Test Coordinator at least four weeks prior to testing, with responses provided within 10 days. The Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD) is available for students who cannot participate in regular Ohio State Tests even with allowable accommodations (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(h)). The IEP team's decision to use the AASCD must follow Ohio's Decision-Making Tool and be signed by all IEP team members, including the district representative, parent/guardian, general education teacher, and intervention specialist. Beyond state testing, the IEP must also include accommodations as part of the statement of special education, related services, and supplementary aids and services needed for the child to advance toward annual goals, be involved in the general education curriculum, and participate in extracurricular and nonacademic activities (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(e); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
What Ohio Requires
The IEP must include individual appropriate accommodations necessary to measure academic achievement and functional performance on state and districtwide assessments (ORC §3323.011(F); OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(g); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)).
If the child takes an alternate assessment, the IEP must state why the child cannot participate in the regular assessment and why the selected alternate assessment is appropriate (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(h); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)(ii)).
Accommodations must be documented in the IEP and used during regular instruction before being applied during Ohio's State Tests (Ohio Accessibility Manual).
Ohio's Assessment Accessibility System distinguishes four tiers: Universal Tools, Designated Supports, Accommodations, and Administrative Considerations (Ohio Accessibility Manual).
Unique accommodations beyond standard offerings require a Unique Accommodation Request Form submitted by the District Test Coordinator at least four weeks prior to testing (Ohio Accessibility Manual).
The AASCD decision requires completion of the Decision-Making Tool signed by all IEP team members including the district representative, parent, general education teacher, and intervention specialist (ODE guidance).
Classroom accommodations must also be documented as part of the statement of supplementary aids and services enabling the child to advance toward goals and participate in the general education curriculum (OAC §3301-51-07(E)(1)(e); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
Key Timelines
Accommodations must be documented in the IEP before they can be used on Ohio's State Tests (Ohio Accessibility Manual).
Unique Accommodation Request Forms must be submitted at least four weeks prior to testing, with responses expected within 10 days (Ohio Accessibility Manual).
The IEP must be reviewed at least annually, including a review of the appropriateness of testing accommodations (OAC §3301-51-07(I)(2); 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Accommodations must be in effect at the beginning of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a)).