District Curriculum Accommodation Plan
DCAP stands for “District Curriculum Accommodation Plan.” Districts are required by Massachusetts General Law to have a DCAP. The plan outlines strategies (accommodations) that schools use to support every student.
Overview of Accommodations
Accommodations are available to all students. They are strategies that assist students in accessing the curriculum and are provided within the general education classroom.
Accommodations allow us to provide all students with equal access to learning and an equal opportunity to show what they know or can do. For many people, the suggested list of accommodations found in each school’s accommodation plan would simply be thought of as best educational practices.
Accommodations do not change the instructional level or content, delivery of instruction, or performance criteria. These types of changes are called modifications or “specially designed instruction” and are only appropriate for students on an Individualized Education Program (IEP.)
Newburyport is an inclusive district that respects every child’s contribution to our learning community. All professionals within the district share responsibility for providing our students with access to and participation in high quality general education. A number of factors contribute to the successful accommodation of diverse learners within the district.
Accommodation Categories
- Setting (location) Examples include: small group, preferential seating, quiet location, etc.
- Presentation (how the teacher shares information) Examples include: visuals provided for verbal information, preview/repeat, provide models, etc.
- Timing (any consideration of time within the learning) Examples include: time of day, length of time, extended time for assignments, “chunking” into smaller parts, planning for time with students, etc.
- Response (How the student responds back to show understanding) Examples include: use of graphic organizers, alternative writing utensils, access to keyboarding, limit number of repeat question types, etc.
Newburyport is an inclusive district that respects every child’s contribution to our learning community. All professionals within the district share responsibility for providing our students with access to and participation in high quality general education.