ESY (Extended School Year) can be something that new Special Education teachers and parents may not be aware of. Read on to find out who qualifies for it, what to do when you feel a student should attend, and more.
What exactly is ESY?
ESY is an extension of the regular school year. It typically runs in July/August, depending on the school district’s calendar and when summer break occurs. It is a time for teachers to review content from the previous school year instead of teaching new material. Teachers can use this time to do engaging activities with students that review material, as well as work on IEP goals.
Who qualifies for ESY?
Basically, any student with an IEP can qualify. However, this does not mean that just because a student has an IEP, they will automatically have to attend ESY. The student’s IEP team will discuss this during his/her IEP meeting/s and will determine eligibility.
A child who is at risk of regressing in their academic and social skills over the summer would qualify. This is a decision made by the IEP team, which includes any teachers and specialists that work with the student, as well as the student’s parents/caregivers.
If it is decided that the student will likely regress over the summer based on reading and math levels, the behaviors, and ability to cope without a strict daily routine, then that child will attend ESY.
Image from pearlcenter.org
What do you do if you feel a student should attend ESY?
As mentioned above, you should express this in the child’s annual review. Typically, you as the teacher will have to provide documentation stating why the student should attend. Every school district will have a different form of documentation. Below is the documentation that teachers submit at my school.
What to expect from ESY
As a teacher, you should know there’s a good chance you may have students who were not in your class during the regular school year. It is dependent on staffing and student needs.
You should expect to run the day like you would a typical school day, keeping it structured and predictable. Read more about ESY daily schedules here.
You can also expect to be reviewing material from the previous school year. This material may or may not be the child’s actual grade level. A 4th grade student in ESY may be working at a 1st/2nd grade level, which can be a contributing factor for why that student would benefit from ESY.
Sometimes, ESY is a chance for students to go on fun field trips that are educational and gives them a chance to be out in the community!
Overall, ESY can be a very positive thing for students. It can help keep them from regressing and gives them an opportunity to keep up with their academic skills, social skills, and routines.
Check out Simply Special Ed’s ESY survival guide to help you prepare for a fun summer with your students!
