Extended School Year (ESY) Services
Special education and related services provided beyond the normal school year for the purpose of providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
Extended School Year (ESY) services are provided to students, grades PreK thru 12, whose individualized education program (IEP) team decided that the benefits the student gained during the regular school year will be significantly jeopardized if the student does not receive ESY services. All ESY services and transportation are provided free of charge as a part of the student's access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).
ESY information for 2024 will be posted here as it becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are important dates for families and students?
Ongoing |
Schools will schedule individualized education program (IEP) meetings to discuss ESY. School teams are encouraged to finalize IEPs by April 28, to ensure adequate staffing and allow time for families to exercise their dispute resolution rights. Parents or guardians can request an IEP meeting at any time to discuss ESY. |
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May 19 |
Families are encouraged to contact their student’s case-manager to notify them of any changes to ESY pick-up and drop-off addresses. |
June 6 |
ESY welcome letters will be emailed to families |
June 30 |
Open House |
July 5 |
First day of ESY direct, class-based services program |
July 28 |
Last day of ESY direct, class-based services program |
What are the ESY service options?
- Preschool Direct, Class-based Services
Preschool-aged students requiring focus on critical life skills as described in their IEPs participate in a preschool direct instruction class at an ESY preschool site. Critical life skills may include: communication, academic readiness, fine and gross motor, self-help, and/or social skills. All students also participate in a range of activities to support learning and self-care opportunities throughout the daily schedule. Instruction addresses a continuum of learning styles and skill levels.
- Elementary or Secondary Direct, Class-based Services
Students in grades K-12 requiring focus on critical life skills as described in their IEPs participate in a direct instruction class at an elementary or secondary ESY site. Student participation is determined by their ESY goals and needs identified in the IEP. Activities focus on critical life skills which must be maintained to ensure that gains made during the 180-day school year will not be jeopardized. Needs addressed may include reading and writing, math, communication, social skills, and/or skills for independence, daily living, and employment. Instruction addresses a continuum of learning styles and skill levels.
- Preschool Resource
Due to the young student’s developmental stage, preschool resource services may be appropriate for preschool-aged children who require direct instruction but less frequent or intensive services than the direct, class-based services. Preschool IEP teams identify services based on the options below:- Family-guided home programs are monitored via phone or email (considered “monitor/consult”) and is more appropriate for skill practice.
- Face-to-face contact between teacher and student and is more appropriate for reteaching and reinforcing skill acquisition.
- Consult
Consult services address the needs of students who require practice to maintain critical life skills but do not require direct instruction from a teacher. The student’s school year teacher provides practice activities and, if needed, practice materials for the parent or guardian to use with the student during the summer. A special education teacher contacts the parent or guardian as frequently as designated in the IEP to monitor progress and ensure that all needed materials are available. The teacher is available via phone or email to address any questions which may arise as the parent or guardian or caretaker implements the activities provided by the school year teacher. No direct services to students are provided under this model. The teacher will collaborate with the parent or guardian regarding the student’s ESY progress report.
- Homebound
Homebound services may be provided to students who have a medical condition preventing them from participating in classroom instruction, because they are confined to their home or a healthcare facility. The process for approving homebound services during ESY is the same as during the school year.
- Additional and Alternative Services
Services required beyond direct, class-based services, consult, homebound, preschool resource.
What are the ESY 2023 direct, class-based program dates?
ESY direct, class-based dates for students are July 5-July 28.
Are the 2023 dates and times for ESY direct, class-based Summer Services different from 2022?
Yes. Year to year the dates are subject to change due to the school calendar and holidays. The table below provides a comparison of ESY 2022 direct, class-based services vs ESY 2023 direct, class-based services. Note, each day has increased by 15 minutes in the 2023 model.
Elementary |
19 Days |
57 Hours |
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Secondary |
19 Days |
76 Hours |
Elementary |
18 Days |
58.5 Hours |
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Secondary |
18 Days |
76.5 Hours |
Which students may be considered to participate in the ESY Summer Services program?
All students with an IEP may be considered for ESY. ESY services are provided to students, grades PreK-12, whose IEP team decided that the benefits the student gained during the regular school year will be significantly jeopardized if the student does not receive ESY services. All ESY services and transportation are provided free of charge as a part of the student's access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
When will I be notified of the staffing status of my child’s ESY class?
Once a parent or guardian provides written consent to the ESY proposal, the student will be registered for ESY services by school staff. Teachers complete the registration process, families do not do anything at this time. Parents or guardians of students listed in the ESY registration system who are receiving class-based services at an ESY site in July will receive email notification from the ESY program indicating the status of the staffing for their
child’s ESY site on the dates listed below. Students who are entered in the registration system after the first or second notification date will be added to the subsequent notification dates. Email notification dates are May 23, June 6, June 13, and June 21.
What if I need to update my child’s home or daycare address for the summer?
Prior to June 26, contact your child’s case manager. After June 26, contact your ESY site administrator. Please note that a change in address may result in the disruption of transportation services, as three business days are required to finalize a change in transportation and assign a bus route.
When will I find out more about my child’s ESY site?
Families will receive communication from their ESY administrator the week of June 26. ESY sites will host an Open House on June 30. Times will vary.
For more information about ESY Services please contact:
Katie Aldridge, Manager, ESY and Assessment, [email protected], 571-423-4190