IEP Modifications in South Carolina: Accommodations vs. Modifications
What is the difference between accommodations and modifications in a South Carolina IEP?
South Carolina IEPs must address modifications to curriculum and instruction as part of the program modifications and support for school personnel required under 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4) and Regulation 43-243. Program modifications differ from accommodations in that they change what the student is expected to learn, not merely how they access or demonstrate learning. The IEP team must carefully document the rationale for modifications, and placement decisions must be based on the child's IEP, not on disability category or program availability (34 CFR 300.116). For students taking the SC-Alt alternate assessment, the IEP must document why the regular assessment is inappropriate and how the alternate assessment aligns with modified learning expectations. South Carolina offers the South Carolina High School Employability Credential as an alternative to the standard high school diploma for students with disabilities whose IEP team determines this course of study is appropriate. This credential requires completion of 24 units of modified coursework aligned with South Carolina College and Career-Ready Standards, a career portfolio with multimedia presentation, and work readiness assessment results demonstrating competitive employment readiness.
What South Carolina Requires
The IEP must specify program modifications and support for school personnel necessary to help the child advance toward annual goals and be educated with nondisabled peers (34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
Modifications that change grade-level expectations must be reflected in the child's alternate assessment participation documentation (34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)(ii)).
Placement must be based on the child's IEP, not solely on the category of disability, the severity of disability, or the availability of special education programs (34 CFR 300.116(b)(2)).
The South Carolina High School Employability Credential is available for students whose IEP team determines a modified course of study is appropriate; it requires 24 units of coursework, a career portfolio, and work readiness assessment (Reg. 43-243; S.C. Code Ann. § 59-33-30).
Any amendment to modifications between annual reviews requires either an IEP meeting or a written agreement between the parent and the LEA to amend without a meeting (34 CFR 300.324(a)(4)).
Key Timelines
Modification decisions must be revisited at each annual IEP review, at minimum every 12 months (34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Any amendment to modifications between annual reviews requires either an IEP meeting or a written agreement between the parent and the LEA (34 CFR 300.324(a)(4)).