For many of our students, effective ESY services are crucial to their growth and development. Our six-week ESY program occurs in July and August and continues the enriched full-day schedule of instruction and related services provided during our 10-month school year.

ESY services are defined as “special education and related services provided to a student with a disability beyond the normal school year in accordance with the student’s IEP at no cost to the parent.” The determination of eligibility for ESY services is made based on the student’s individual circumstances and experience, and is a required component of the IEP process.

Students may be eligible for ESY services if it is anticipated that the summer break will result in a decline in knowledge and skills (regression), or take an extended period of time to regain the prior level of functioning (recoupment) when school resumes. Consideration of regression and recoupment covers both academic instruction and related services for the prevention (or reduction) of academic or physical regression.

ESY eligibility may be warranted when a child is in a critical stage of developing a skill that has great potential for increasing their self-sufficiency. When such ’emerging skills’ or ‘breakthrough opportunities’ are present, it is more likely that the child’s current level of acquisition and function will be lost due to the interruption of the summer vacation.

Another common consideration included in the eligibility determination is the nature and severity of the child’s disability. Although no disability category may be excluded from consideration for ESY, the nature and severity of the disability can be a key factor in the eligibility determination. Children with more severe disabilities are more likely to need ESY programs, since their regression may be more significant, and their recoupment may extend over longer periods of time.

It’s also important to note that the consideration of eligibility for ESY should be made early enough in the year to allow adequate time for parents and guardians to exercise their right to administrative review or appeal in a timely fashion.