Accommodation Options for K-12 Dyslexic Students

Students with dyslexia in K–12 settings may receive a variety of accommodations to help them access the curriculum and demonstrate their knowledge without altering content expectations. These accommodations generally fall into five categories: presentation, response, timing/scheduling, setting/environment, and organization/assignments. 

1) Presentation Accommodations (Accessing Information)

Adjust how instructional materials and assignments are presented.

• Verbal or simplified directions
  • Give directions one step at a time, read aloud, and/or simplified.
  • Clarify written directions and present as numbered steps or bullet points.
• Visual and auditory aids
  • Provide audiobooks or digital textbooks in alternative formats (e.g., Bookshare, Learning Ally).
  • Use text-to-speech (TTS) software/screen readers.
  • Add visual supports (diagrams, charts, manipulatives) to reinforce concepts.
  • Use clear formatting (ample line spacing, less text per page).
  • Highlight or bold key vocabulary and essential information.
• Note-taking support
  • Provide teacher lecture notes or outlines.
  • Allow audio recording during lectures.
  • Pair the student with a peer note-taker.

2) Response Accommodations (Demonstrating Knowledge)

Adjust how the student completes assignments, projects, and tests.

• Oral/verbal responses
  • Permit oral reports or oral examinations instead of written work.
  • Allow dictation to a scribe or use of an audio recorder.
• Technology & tools
  • Enable speech-to-text/dictation software (e.g., Google Voice Typing, Dragon NaturallySpeaking).
  • Use word prediction, spell-check, and grammar-check tools.
  • Allow calculators on math work when computation fluency is not the skill being assessed.
  • Provide electronic graphic organizers and outlining software for writing.
• Writing & grading
  • Do not penalize spelling, handwriting, or grammar on tasks where content knowledge is the target skill.
  • Allow typed responses in place of handwritten ones.
  • Accept alternative products (e.g., video, art, presentations) instead of traditional written reports.

3) Timing and Scheduling Accommodations

Adjust time allowed and how time is managed.

• Extended time
  • Provide extra time on tests, quizzes, and in-class assignments (e.g., 1.5× or 2×).
  • Allow extended deadlines for homework or long-term projects.
• Breaks and flexible scheduling
  • Permit frequent, short breaks during longer tasks or tests.
  • Offer multiple sessions to complete assessments.

4) Setting and Environmental Accommodations

Adjust the learning or testing environment to reduce distractions and improve focus.

• Seating
  • Preferential seating near the teacher or away from high-traffic or distracting areas (doors, windows).
• Work environment
  • Provide a separate, quiet, distraction-reduced space for tests and lengthy assignments (e.g., resource room, library).
  • Allow noise-canceling headphones during independent work.

5) Organizational and Assignment Accommodations

Provide supports for managing workload and structure.

• Assignments
  • Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
  • Reduce the quantity of reading passages, test questions, or vocabulary to focus on essential content
    (Note: substantial reductions may be considered a modification rather than an accommodation).
  • Ensure homework is clearly recorded and understood before the student leaves class.
• Organization
  • Explicitly teach organization strategies (e.g., color-coded folders, planners/task apps).

Post and maintain a consistent daily/weekly routine and schedule.