IEP Accommodations in Washington
What IEP accommodations are available in Washington?
In Washington State, accommodations are supports that enable a student with a disability to access the general education curriculum and participate in assessments without fundamentally altering content expectations. Under WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(e), the IEP must include a statement of supplementary aids and services and program modifications or supports for school personnel. For state and districtwide assessments, the IEP team must specify individual appropriate accommodations (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(h)). If a student will not participate in the regular assessment or a part of it, the IEP must explain why and identify the appropriate alternate assessment — Washington uses the WA-AIM (Washington Comprehensive Assessment System — Alternate) for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The IEP team must consider assistive technology devices and services for every student as part of the special factors review (WAC 392-172A-03110(1)(e)). Accommodations are distinct from modifications: they provide access without changing learning expectations, whereas modifications alter what is expected. OSPI oversees Washington's statewide assessment system under RCW 28A.655 and ensures that IEP-specified accommodations are honored on all state assessments.
What Washington Requires
The IEP must specify all supplementary aids and services, program modifications, and supports for school personnel (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(e); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
For state and districtwide assessments, the IEP must list individual appropriate accommodations, or if the student takes an alternate assessment (WA-AIM), explain why and identify which one (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(h)).
The IEP team must consider whether the student needs assistive technology devices and services as part of the special factors review (WAC 392-172A-03110(1)(e)).
All teachers and related service providers must be informed of their responsibilities for implementing the student's accommodations (34 CFR 300.323(d)).
Accommodations must be provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE (WAC 392-172A-01080; 34 CFR 300.17).
Key Timelines
Accommodations must be in effect at the beginning of each school year (WAC 392-172A-03105; 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
IEP accommodations must be reviewed at least annually and revised as needed (WAC 392-172A-03110(2)).
Progress on the effectiveness of accommodations is reviewed through periodic progress reports, issued at least as frequently as report cards (WAC 392-172A-03090(1)(d)).