IEP Accommodations in South Dakota
What IEP accommodations are available in South Dakota?
Accommodations in South Dakota IEPs are changes in instruction, materials, or assessment that do not alter what is being taught or the rigor of the learning standard—they provide access without modifying content expectations. Under ARSD 24:05:27:01.03 and 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)–(6), the IEP must specify all accommodations necessary for the student to access the curriculum and demonstrate knowledge, including individual appropriate accommodations for participation in state and districtwide assessments. South Dakota administers the South Dakota State Assessment (SDSA) in ELA, math, and science, and provides assessment accommodation guidelines that specify which accommodations are allowable on state tests without invalidating scores. The IEP team determines appropriate accommodations based on the student's disability, present levels, and individual needs. Common accommodations documented on South Dakota IEPs include extended time, preferential seating, reduced distraction environment, use of assistive technology, read-aloud, and modified response formats. Accommodations must be implemented consistently across all educational settings by all responsible educators. Under ARSD 24:05:27:01.03, all regular and special education staff must be informed of their specific responsibilities for implementing accommodations documented in the IEP.
What South Dakota Requires
The IEP must include a statement of individual appropriate accommodations necessary to measure the child's academic and functional performance on state and districtwide assessments (ARSD 24:05:27:01.03; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)).
Accommodations must not alter the content, rigor, or learning standards being assessed—they provide access to curriculum and assessments without changing what is measured.
If the IEP team determines that the student will take an alternate assessment instead of a regular state assessment, the IEP must include a statement justifying that decision and explaining why the alternate assessment is appropriate (34 CFR 300.320(a)(6)(ii)).
All regular education teachers and other service providers must be informed of their responsibilities for implementing accommodations documented in the IEP (ARSD 24:05:27:01.03; 34 CFR 300.323(d)).
Accommodations must be reviewed at least annually and revised to remain appropriate to the child's current needs (ARSD 24:05:27:01.03; 34 CFR 300.324).
Key Timelines
Accommodations must be implemented from the IEP effective date and must be in place at the start of each school year (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
The IEP must be reviewed at least annually, at which point accommodations are evaluated for continued appropriateness (34 CFR 300.324).
Prior written notice must be provided to parents at least 5 days before the district proposes to change accommodations or services (ARSD 24:05:30:04).