Extended School Year – What is it?

What is Extended School Year (ESY)? ESY is for a child with special needs. It is the specialized and related services that are provided during extended breaks. ESY services need to be written in the child’s IEP (Individualized Education Program). ESY is not summer school. ESY can also be provided during other extended times like winter break. The requirements for ESY are determined by the state and district. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is the federal law that governs all special education for all states. IDEA does allow the states to determine the requirements for ESY services. The discussion of ESY is during the annual IEP meeting. The district has requirements for each ESY.

The important issues that are discussed for ESY are regression and the amount of time to relearn. The IEP team will discuss the crucial skills that the child will lose if they are not supported. If it is not written in the IEP, the district is not required to provide ESY services.

Remember IEP meetings happen once a year. If your child’s IEP meeting is in the fall sometimes it is not viewed as important because summer is a long time away. If your child has an IEP and ESY was not discussed, or you want a specific discussion on ESY. Write a letter to the Principal and special education coordinator requesting an IEP meeting. The district must hold an IEP meeting. It is usually 15 days to set the meeting. So, if you are concerned about ESY services set up an IEP meeting before the end of the school year.

So contact your district to set up an IEP meeting for ESY. In the meeting express your child’s regression and the amount of time it takes to regain them. You can discuss how long it takes for your child to regain skills over long weekends. Please remember it needs to be written in the IEP to receive ESY. If it is not written in the IEP, the district is not required to provide ESY services. Even if the child received them in the past.