When the district tells you what they offer for ESY don't believe that is the only option.

How many years have you heard at spring IEP meetings,

“ESY starts on June 5th goes Monday – Thursday from 

8:30 am - 11:30 am.  It’s for 6 weeks and there’s 

no school on the 4th of July.”  

Then they go on to say, “We’re not sure which school ESY will be at and we don’t know who the teacher is yet.”

 

The more you hear, “This is what we do for ESY.”  the more you believe it.

What if I told you that Extended School Year (ESY) services need to be individualized just like the rest of your child’s services?

Did I just hear you say, “Huh? What are you talking about?”

Yes, it’s true. And let me share a shocker with you…ESY isn’t mentioned in IDEA!  It’s true.

ESY is written in the IDEA Regulations, not in the statute.  

You need to know what the federal regulations say about ESY so you'll finally know the whole truth.


 

Stick with me, kid, I gotcha.

The IDEA regulations are below with hyperlinks if you want to nerd out on this.  

Please remember to always check what your state regulations say about ESY – you may have even more rights under your state regulations.


300.106 Extended school year services.

(a) (2) Extended school year services must be provided only if a child’s IEP Team determines, on an individual basis, in accordance with §§300.320 through 300.324, that the services are necessary for the provision of FAPE to the child.

(3) In implementing the requirements of this section, a public agency may not—

(i) Limit extended school year services to particular categories of disability; or

(ii) Unilaterally limit the type, amount, or duration of those services.

See, there it is in black and white with yellow highlight, “a public agency may not unilaterally limit the type, amount, or duration of those services.”  Now you may want to stick that little statement in your back pocket.

 

THERE IS A BETTER WAY!

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD:

1. Start with a factual statement, "The district has an ESY program that is offered to students who are eligible for it. My understanding is school districts can't unilaterally limit the type, amount, or duration of ESY services."

2. Pause and wait for a response.

3. Discuss other options for ESY based on our child's unique needs that will be addressed by ESY services. 

Some individualized ESY services I've helped parents get for their children:

* One-to-one reading tutoring at the student's house

* Day camp at local Y to build communication skills with other same-aged peers

* One-to-one academic tutoring at the student's home

* Push-in support in typical summer school classes

Do you want to keep settling for what the district is offering for ESY services or do you want to finally get the individualized ESY services your child deserves?

If you're ready to change what you accept for your child's services, just hit reply and we can talk.

Stop settling for a one-size-fits-no one ESY program,