The Benefits of the Extended School Year in Special Education

The IEP team determines whether ESY is warranted for each student on an individual basis. Regulations state that, to qualify, a child with a disability must lose two-thirds of the skills learned during the school year (usually based upon progress toward IEP goals), and take between six and nine weeks of the next school year to regain those skills. It is sometimes called the “regression/recoupment analysis.” The team looks at “regression” (skills lost after a break) and “recoupment” (the time needed to relearn those skills).

• Did the child’s behavior regress significantly over short vacations or last summer break? 
• Will the child lose critical skills without continued support and teaching?
• How long will it take to regain those skills in September? 

If the IEP team concludes that what a student will forget over the summer months would take too long to recoup in September, then they will recommend reinforcement of skills over the summer in an extended school year program.

Why is it important?

How is ESY similar to the regular school year?

ESY is primarily an extension of the goals and objectives already dictated in the IEP. The services are individualized to help each child maintain skills and not lose the progress made toward the goals. For some kids, this may mean one-on-one tutoring. For others it may be a few sessions of occupational therapy or speech therapy each week. The child study team determines the best activities for your child to help prevent regression and prepare for the next school year.

How is it different from the regular school year?

ESY will include interacting and socializing together with a variety of games and activities to help build on the IEP goals. Curricula might include fun theme-based instruction, adaptive PE, music, art, guitar, yoga, Karaoke, dance, or movement classes. It might incorporate more off-site/outdoor activities where applicable, including organized trips like swimming, bowling, or golf, depending on the individual student’s needs and ability.

The benefits of ESY are clear, but as always, parents know their children best. Does your child need a continuation of routines over the summer, or does she need a break from the pressure of the school year? ESY over the summer can combine a number of different activities to provide the best learning experience for your child.