What to Do When Your Child's School Ignores Their Personalized Education Plan (PPS)

When the Plan Isn’t Followed: A Parent’s Everyday Battle

One of the toughest calls a parent can make is deciding to trust the school with the careful, custom-made plan designed specifically for their child. You’ve probably fought tooth and nail to get a projet personnalisé de scolarisation (PPS)—often after countless meetings, evaluations, and an emotional rollercoaster of advocacy. And yet, here you are, watching your child struggle while the accommodations promised in that plan are not being applied.

You're not alone, and truly, you shouldn’t have to go it alone. Navigating the gap between what’s on paper and what actually happens in the classroom can be deeply frustrating, especially when you’re doing everything you can to support your child at home emotionally and academically. So, what can you do when the school doesn’t follow the PPS—and who’s really listening?

Understanding What’s At Stake

The PPS is not just a formality—it’s a legal document. It outlines the educational accommodations, services, and support your child is entitled to, based on their disability or learning differences. When schools fail to implement it, that’s not just neglect—it can be considered discrimination. But more immediately, it’s your child who pays the price: in loss of self-confidence, motivation, and academic success.

Let’s imagine a typical day. Your child, who has dyslexia, sits in a classroom where board notes aren't provided in advance as agreed. Reading-heavy tasks pile up, and frustration builds. They’re labeled as inattentive, even lazy. You notice them dragging their feet at home, refusing to start homework, and asking, “What’s the point?”

This story may feel uncomfortably familiar. That’s because it’s real—and it’s happening too often.

Start With Dialogue—But Know When It’s Not Enough

Before launching into formal complaints, the first step is always direct communication. Set up a meeting with the teacher, the school principal, or the school’s disability coordinator. Come with documentation, including your child’s PPS, specific examples of where it wasn’t applied, and any impact it's had.

Sometimes, schools simply lack training or resources. A compassionate but firm conversation can trigger adjustments. But if nothing changes after that initial effort—a sadly common outcome—you’ll need to go further. If you’re unsure where to begin, this guide on who to contact when accommodations are missing offers helpful insights.

Formal Recourse: What Are Your Rights?

In France (and many other countries with similar frameworks), you have legal recourse when a child’s rights under a PPS are not respected. Here are a few steps you can take:

• Contact the MDPH (Maison Départementale des Personnes Handicapées): They are the ones who validated the PPS and can mediate with the school.
• Write to the school inspector: If internal communication fails, escalate the issue to the inspector of the school district (l’inspecteur d’académie).
• Engage a mediator: In some departments, mediators can help resolve conflicts between families and education officials.
• File a claim with a disability rights defender: The French Défenseur des Droits can intervene in cases of inequality.

These steps may sound intimidating, especially when you're also managing work, home life, and your child’s emotional well-being. But you don’t have to handle this part alone. There are parent associations and advocacy groups who offer support every step of the way.

Supporting Your Child at Home While the System Catches Up

Even as you work on holding the school accountable, the most immediate concern is your child’s well-being and confidence. That’s the area you can impact most directly today.

If your child is disengaged, not because they can’t learn—but because they’re too tired to fight—changing the way they learn at home can make a big difference. One mother I spoke to told me how transforming textbook paragraphs into audio tracks during car rides helped her son re-engage with learning, without it feeling like homework. Apps like Skuli offer ways to turn lessons into audio adventures or mini quizzes tailored to the child’s level, all from a simple photo of the schoolwork. It’s not a solution to institutional failure, but it’s a real support for kids who are slipping through the cracks.

When It’s Time to Look Elsewhere

If despite your efforts, your child’s school continues to ignore their PPS, it may be time to consider alternative routes. Some families turn to academic coaching centers, specialized schools, or even at-home hybrid education models. These choices can feel drastic, but your child’s mental health and academic development matter more than tradition. This article on alternative paths to learning outlines several thoughtful options.

It's also worth being aware that exclusion can take subtle forms—even if school personnel insist they’re doing their best. If you've ever felt like your child is being left out or sidelined, this piece on being overlooked by teachers may resonate deeply.

You're Not Alone—And You're Not Powerless

Parenting a child with learning or developmental challenges in an imperfect school system can feel like a lonely, uphill battle. You're not just parenting—you’re learning to navigate a legal system, advocate like a lawyer, and comfort like a therapist, all while making dinner.

Please remember: It's okay to feel exhausted. It's also okay to ask for help—professionally and emotionally. Wherever the school falls short, there is still so much you can do to support your child at home and to push for the inclusion they deserve at school.

If this resonates with you, you might also appreciate reading what to do when school isn't inclusive—another heartfelt reflection that could give clarity and next steps.

Your child is not the problem. The problem is a system still catching up to who your child already is: capable, worthy—just needing a different door to open.