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
Using instructional tools such as highlighters, calculators, etc., allows multilingual leaners (MLs) an opportunity to access the content more easily. MLs can focus on sections/chunks of a text by highlighting key concepts. The use of calculators may assist MLs as they navigate more complex problems.
Examples:
- Guide MLs how to utilize highlighters to find key concepts within a text
- Demonstrate how to use calculators to assist with more complex word problems
|
Teacher |
Student |
 |
The teacher demonstrates the use of a highlighter to find key concepts.
The teacher chunks assignments using a highlighter to help MLs navigate a longer text. |
The student utilizes a highlighter to navigate a longer text. |
|
Teacher |
Student |
 |
"Use your highlighter to find the answer to the question within the text." |
"Can I use a highlighter to help me answer these questions?" |
| Recommended Domain(s) |
Recommended Level(s) |
| Reading, Writing |
All Levels |
Scaffolding
When should the accommodation be removed?
The Use of Instructional Tools accommodation may be removed when the student develops more proficient vocabulary. Most MLs do not require simplified language beyond the Developing level (3), but students should always be encouraged to ask for the use of tools, such as a highlighter, that are also considered tools for universal design. 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.
