Statewide Parent Training Information Center (PTI)

How do students qualify for extended school year (ESY) programs?
State and Federal laws require that school districts provide extended school year (ESY) for the students with disabilities who need it. Each school district sets its own criteria for how students qualify. Ask for a copy of the school district's policies. IDEA requires that decisions be made on an individual basis according to a child's specific needs. Any categorical school district policy regarding special education breaks the law. Examples of categorical policies are: No students get ESY There are no related services during the summer All programs are the same in ESY (same amount of time and/or amount of days or same curriculum) Only students with severe disabilities (or physical disabilities or mental retardation) get ESY Several court decisions have set precedence regarding ESY. Any student with a disability can be considered for ESY, and the determination must be made on an individual basis. In Lee V. Thompson (D. Hawaii 1983) the Federal District Court set the following criteria to be considered when deciding whether a child qualifies for ESY: Nature of the disability Severity of the disability Areas of learning crucial to attaining the goal of self sufficiency and independence from caretakers Extent of regression caused by interruption in educational programming Rate of recoupment following interruption in educational programming The decision about whether or not a child needs more than the traditional 180 school days must be made at the IEP meeting. You are an important member of the IEP team. If you think your child needs ESY, bring documentation to the meeting. Document your observations, teacher or staff comments or notes to you during the year and any other information that would support your request.

Is there a difference between summer school and Extended School Year (ESY)?
Yes. Summer School is usually open to any student within a school district. School districts usually charge a fee for summer school classes. ESY is specifically for students who have a special education program (an IEP). Each school district must provide program beyond the traditional 180 day school year for students who have an IEP and need that extra time/service. The services must be provided free to those students who qualify for ESY.

What is provided during ESY?
The services must be individualized to meet the child's educational needs. A student does not automatically qualify for all the services listed on the IEP. There may be some areas in which the child does not need summer program and other areas in which s/he does. During ESY the child is supposed to be working on IEP goals and objectives and receiving the services needed to implement those. The length of the program and the amount of intervention each week are to be individualized, as well. For instance, a child should not receive 2 weeks of summer program with 3 hours of intervention per day merely because that is what the district provides for all the students who qualify for ESY. That would not be "individualized". Be prepared to discuss what you feel is necessary for your child and to ask questions about the program and about how school personnel sees your child.

PAVE | 6316 So. 12th St. | Tacoma, WA 98465
(253) 565-2266 (v/tty) | 1-800-5-PARENT (v/tty) | Fax: (253) 566-8052
E-mail:pave@wapave.org

PAVE has a policy of nondiscrimination. In the event you, as an employee or recipient of services, feel that you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, disabled or Vietnam era veteran status, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, or HIV/AIDS status, you have the right to file a complaint with the agency´s 504 Compliance Officer.

Please contact PAVE´s Compliance Officer: Heather M. Hebdon,6316 South 12th. Street; Tacoma, WA 98465-1900, Phone:(253) 565-2266 (v/tty); 1-800-5-PARENT (v/tty); Fax: (253) 566-8052, E-mail:hhebdon@wapave.org