In today’s educational environment, students enter the classroom with needs that vary in what (curriculum) information they need to learn and how (instructional techniques and processes) they learn best. The focus of this framework, Learning Accommodations, is to connect the "what" and the "how" in supportive environments. The purpose is to provide educators with a framework for Maximizing Achievement for ALL Students. While providing examples of effective strategies, the intent is to give teachers the tools to use when problem solving in various learning environments to meet students' needs. In addition to addressing the instructional needs of ALL students through the recognition of critical components--standards-based curriculum; knowledge of students; effective instructional designs; and instructional accommodations--the framework identifies the critical component, a foundation of support, upon which effective learning environments are established.

In establishing a foundation of support, it is critical to recognize student- and family- based beliefs, community-based, district-wide, school-wide and classroom-wide supports. Within this firm foundation of support, teachers utilize the curriculum as the map that guides instruction. When teachers integrate the four components in supportive environments, the result is maximized student achievement. This resource provides discussions of each component and examples for educators to implement Learning Accommodations: Maximizing Achievement for ALL Students.