An accommodation can look small on a page and make a large difference in a school day. A student may need repeated directions, extended time, a different response format, or a separate testing setting. NYC Public Schools describes accommodations as changes in format or procedure that give a student access to instruction and assessment. If the accommodation is written into your child’s IEP but is not being used, focus on the specific support, the setting, and the occasion when it was missing.
Read the exact accommodation
Check the current IEP rather than relying on an old meeting summary. Is the support for classroom instruction, homework, school tests, state tests, or more than one setting? Does it specify when and how the accommodation is provided? “Extended time” can be applied differently depending on the activity and what the IEP says. Keep a copy of the relevant IEP language with your notes.
Accommodations are not the same as modifications. NYC Public Schools explains that an accommodation changes the way a student accesses or shows learning, while a modification changes the level or quantity of content. If the school is offering a different approach from the one in the IEP, ask the team to explain whether it is implementing the existing plan or proposing a change.
Record a few concrete examples
An accurate example is stronger than a general statement that “teachers ignore the IEP.” Write down the date, class or test, accommodation, what happened, and the effect. For instance: “The IEP lists a separate testing setting. On September 18, my child took the math test in the regular classroom and reported that the setting was not offered.” If the information came from your child, label it as a report and ask the school to verify.
Save the assignment, test notice, teacher response, or email when available. You do not need to collect every minor classroom event. Choose examples that show a pattern or a meaningful barrier. If a missing support affected safety or immediate access, contact the school promptly rather than waiting for more examples.
Ask how the plan is being shared and carried out
Write to the teacher and case manager with the IEP wording and examples. Ask how the accommodation will be provided going forward and what happened on the dates you identified. Federal IDEA regulations require a public agency to ensure that teachers and providers responsible for implementation have access to the IEP and know their specific responsibilities, including accommodations and supports. The school can decide how it communicates internally, but the parent should receive a clear explanation of how the plan will be carried out.
If several teachers are involved, ask the case manager to coordinate a consistent response. If the school says the accommodation is no longer needed or should be changed, request an IEP-team discussion rather than accepting an informal change that leaves the written plan out of sync with practice.
A concise note can say: “The current IEP lists [accommodation] for [setting]. On [date], my child reports that it was not offered during [class or test]. Please confirm what happened, how this support is being communicated to staff, and how it will be provided next time.” Attach the relevant IEP excerpt rather than forwarding unrelated private records.
Decide whether the issue is delivery or design
There are two different questions. Was a clear accommodation simply not provided? Or was it provided but no longer enough for your child? For the first, ask for a reliable implementation plan and a review of the earlier impact. For the second, bring updated classroom evidence to the IEP team and discuss whether the plan needs revision. Avoid treating a poor grade alone as proof that a specific accommodation was omitted.
NYC IEP Advocacy screens matters involving existing NYC IEPs that are not being implemented. If a written accommodation has repeatedly been missed, bring the IEP, examples, and school responses to a free 15-minute screening. This article is general information, not legal advice. NYC IEP Advocacy is not a law firm.
