How Modmath Supports Students as an Accommodation in Special Education Plans
For many students, especially those with learning differences that impact writing or math, traditional paper-and-pencil methods can create unnecessary barriers. Modmath was created to remove those barriers, giving students the tools they need to succeed in math — without being held back by handwriting challenges.
Whether in the U.S. under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, or under similar frameworks in other countries, Modmath can serve as a powerful assistive technology accommodation to help students demonstrate their math skills more effectively.
Why Modmath Works as an Accommodation
Modmath is a free, digital math notebook designed specifically for students who struggle with handwriting but can otherwise grasp math concepts. It enables students to:
Type math problems instead of writing them by hand
Use advanced keypads to access math symbols and formatting without the need to draw them
Organize work clearly, making it easier for teachers to review and assess
Save and share assignments digitally, eliminating paper-based challenges
Common Use Cases in IEPs and Special Education Plans
1. Assistive Technology for Math Input
Students with dysgraphia, fine motor difficulties, or other disabilities that affect handwriting can use Modmath as their primary method of recording math work.
2. Testing Accommodations
In standardized testing environments (where approved), Modmath can be an alternative to handwritten scratch paper, ensuring that students are evaluated on their math reasoning rather than their handwriting ability.
3. Accessibility Enhancements
Upcoming features, such as Google Drive integration, will make it even easier to store and submit work digitally — reducing the need for manual transfers or scanning.
International Equivalents to the IEP
While the term “IEP” is specific to the United States, many countries have similar special education frameworks:
Canada: Individual Education Plan (also “IEP”)
UK: Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Australia: Individual Learning Plan (ILP) or Personalised Learning and Support Plan (PLSP)
New Zealand: Individual Education Programme (IEP)
European Union: Varies by country, often referred to as an Individual Learning Plan or equivalent
In all of these contexts, Modmath can be included as an assistive technology accommodation, ensuring students have equitable access to the curriculum.
Getting Modmath into a Plan
To include Modmath as an accommodation:
Document the need — Explain how handwriting difficulties affect math performance.
Reference Modmath by name in the IEP/504/plan, specifying it as an approved math input method.
Clarify device access — Ensure the student has access to a compatible iPad, Mac, Chromebook, or Android device in both classroom and testing settings.
Provide training — Allow time for the student (and educators) to become comfortable using the tool.
Two Versions of Modmath for Different Needs
Direct-to-Consumer Version: Great for families who want to install Modmath at home or on personal devices.
Enterprise (School) Version: Designed for schools, with centralized license management and lifetime pricing per device.
The Bottom Line
When handwriting gets in the way of learning math, Modmath can help. By incorporating Modmath into an IEP or equivalent plan, students gain the ability to focus on math concepts rather than struggling to put pencil to paper.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or school administrator, consider making Modmath part of your student’s formal accommodations — it could make all the difference in their math journey.
Learn more about Modmath’s features and pricing on our website, or contact us if you’d like support in adding Modmath to your student’s plan.
