Extended School Year

Students between the ages of 3 and 21 with disability-based IEPs may be eligible for Extended School Year (ESY) services through the TBLSEC. Gifted students are not eligible for ESY. The decision for extending services into the summer or other lengthy school breaks is made by the IEP team. The reason for these services is to ensure the provision of a free and appropriate public education so that the child can make progress toward the goals specified on the child’s IEP and to prevent regression, which would impede such progress.

The IEP team may use the following methods to decide if a student with a disability needs ESY services. Note that each is not mutually exclusive and consideration of all of these factors may be warranted.

Data indicates that without these services, the student would lose skills (regress)that could not be regained within a reasonable time period upon returning to school. The school is not required to provide ESY services merely because the student will benefit from them. Instead, the IEP Team should determine if the regression experienced by the student would significantly affect his/her maintenance of skills and behaviors.
What is the nature and severity of the disability(ies)? Each student’s needs must be considered individually.
Are instructional areas or related services needed that are crucial in moving toward self-sufficiency and independence? Particular consideration for ESY services should be given to students who need instruction in such self-help skills as dressing or eating, or who need continued structure to develop behavioral control.
The IEP Team could use the following information and data in determining the need for ESY services:
1. Teacher assessment of the student’s success with various instructional interventions;
2. Criterion-referenced and standardized test data;
3. Health and health-related factors, including physical and social/emotional functioning;
4. Past educational history, as appropriate, including any ESY services;
5. Direct observation of the student’s classroom performance;
6. IEP goals and objectives;
7. Student performance (pretest and posttest data);
8. Behavior checklists; and
9. Parent interviews and student interviews where appropriate

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are extended school year services provided?

A: ESY services are individualized and based upon IEP goals the student has attained during the regular school year. However, the majority of students who are eligible for ESY attend during the summer for a four-week session. This session is typically 4 days per week for three hours in the morning, for a four-week session. Related services may be continued through ESY based on the decision of the IEP team.

Q: When will the decision be made regarding eligibility for ESY services?

A: During the IEP meeting, the team discusses whether the student qualifies for ESY services and reaches a decision about the services. The IEP team may defer the decision until spring but sets a date for a subsequent discussion regarding eligibility no later than April 15.

Q: How will I know if my student qualifies?

A: Parents must have meaningful input in the decision. The IEP team cannot make this determination with parental input.

Q: What if I do not want my child to attend ESY?

A: As a parent, you have the right to refuse services. If the school team has determined that your child needs ES services and you refuse, the school team has the right to request mediation or file for due process.

Q: What if I think my child needs ESY, but the school team does not agree?

A: If parents believe their child requires ESY, all of the parent rights for due process apply. For more information, please refer to you Parent Rights in Special Education. If you cannot locate a copy of these rights, you can request them at any time from the school or they can be found on the Kansas State Department of Education website at www.ksde.org.

Q: What if I want a summer experience for my child that will increase skills rather than just maintain skills?

A: The purpose of ESY as delineated in IDEA 2004 is to prevent regression of already mastered skills. Some parents choose to seek out other summer school programs or camps.

Q: Where are ESY services located?

A: ESY services are individualized and based upon an IEP team decision. For the majority of students, services are provided at a designated building in either Basehor-Linwood or Tonganoxie. Occasionally, a student may need to be service in another setting as determined by the IEP team.

Q: Who can I contact with questions?

A: Your first line of communication should always be your child’s special education teacher. If you have additional questions you may contact the special education office at (913) 724-2348.