An accommodation changes how information and concepts are presented or practiced ensuring that each student has the opportunities and support needed to learn. Accommodations do not reduce the learning expectations and should be chosen based on the student’s individual needs and not applied arbitrarily to all MLs. Accommodations are not to be viewed as an advantage to the student; accommodations provide access to the content for the student.

Accommodations:

• Provide access to grade-level curriculum;
• Alter the environment, not the curriculum;
• Do not change the learning outcomes;
• Happen in the content-area classroom; and 
• Should not impact grading, though how learning is assessed may change.

Description

During these initial levels of language acquisition, students may find processing language auditorily and transferring it to written language challenging due to a lack of academic vocabulary. A copy of notes may be provided to students to ensure important information was not left out during the students' attempt at capturing important points.

Examples:
A science teacher pre-taught some content vocabulary and key concepts. During the class, the student was somewhat familiar with the pre-taught terms and was able to take most of the notes needed, but still missed a few ideas explained by the teacher. The teacher provided him with a copy of the notes at the end of class so he could have access to all that was covered.
 

	Teacher	Student
	The teacher provides a copy of notes, after the student attempts to take notes independently. The Cloze technique may be used as well to support note-taking, ensuring that the information the ML completed is correct.	The student does not become frustrated by trying to keep up with unfamiliar oral language and written text. The student has the information needed to study and be successful.

	Teacher	Student
	"You did a great job taking notes. Here is a copy so you can make sure you didn't miss anything."	"I think I missed some of what you said." "May I have a copy of the notes?"

Recommended Domain(s)	Recommended Level(s)
Listening, Reading, Writing	Entering (1) through Emerging (2)

Scaffolding

When should the accommodation be removed?

The Provide Copy of Notes accommodation may be removed when the student can comprehend vocabulary used in oral and written explanations at that same rate as most of their peers. Most MLs do not require copies of notes beyond the Entering level (2), but some students occasionally require this accommodation through the Developing level (3). If you have questions, or feel your ML requires a change in their ILAP regarding this accommodation, please reach out to the Multilingual Learner Program Specialist (MLPS) in your building to discuss the student's needs.