• Students with IEPs or 504 plans


    What qualifies a student as being an exceptional learner?

    Exceptional learners are those who have IEPs/504 plans. 


    The Individualized Educational Program (IEP) is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability or is a gifted student, and is attending an educational institution, receives specialized instruction and related services.


    A 504 Plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability, and is attending an educational institution, receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment. 

    Will exceptional learners use proficiency scales?

    Yes. It is an expectation that all students are learning standards for their grade level; therefore, most students, regardless of exceptionalities, will use scales with targeted standards at their grade level. Some students will use scales from grade levels above and/or below if such modifications are determined necessary. 

    How will exceptional learners be graded when using SRG?

    Teachers will assess all students according to their mastery of the standards and work to provide accommodations and modifications for students as necessary for students to succeed. It will be important for teachers, students, and families to understand the progression of learning toward mastery of standards.

    What if students are currently working on standards/skills at a different grade level? How are proficiency scales and standards-referenced learning used?

    Progress for students in a specific grade level will be reported on the grade level progress report consisting of the standards associated with that grade level. If students are working on standards/scales from a different grade level, teachers will need to communicate progress on those standards via other resources separate from the grade level progress report.  

    What is the difference between accommodations and modifications? 

    Accommodations are supports put in place to help students achieve grade level expectations. They do not change the level of expectations for students. They simply allow students to demonstrate their proficiency in a manner that is best for them. They do not result in lower/higher expectations and they do not require a different grading system. An example often used is that of wearing glasses. This is an accommodation, but most of us would not think of lowering expectations or a grade because a student wears glasses. 

    Modifications, however, DO CHANGE the level of expectations for students. Modifications shift expectations either up or down from the grade level expectations.


    Whether the support is an accommodation or modification depends heavily on the standard being taught and assessed.


    If you have a question, submit it to info@usd259.net.