Discover how Extended School Year (ESY) ensures continuity of education for children with disabilities. Learn about eligibility today.
Some children in special education programs are eligible for Extended School Year Services (ESY). This program extends education beyond the 180-day school year. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children who qualify for ESY can receive educational support over school breaks like summer vacation.
ESY falls under FAPE (free appropriate public education), so your school district provides it at no additional cost. Your child’s IEP (individual education program) team should evaluate whether this is something that your child needs. If your child is eligible, the school will let you know what they qualify for and how you can get it.
Who can get ESY?
Extended school year services are available to support children who will lose out from an extended break from school. If your child will be set back significantly if they don’t continue their learning, their IEP team may recommend it. (You can ask your child’s school about it if no one mentioned it to you and you think your child will qualify.)
The most common reason that children can get ESY is if they’ll regress over school breaks and/or will struggle to recoup their skills when school starts again. They might also qualify if they’re close to reaching a long-worked-for breakthrough or they aren’t making progress on a specific IEP goal.
How can a child get qualified for ESY?
Your child’s CST or IEP team should evaluate it at an IEP meeting during the school year. The educational team will look at data from your child's progress on IEP goals throughout the school year, and they’ll see how breaks from school affected that progress. For example, they’ll look at a child’s proficiency in reading before a school break. Then they’ll check in right after the break — and then again 2 weeks later. If the child is not reading as well at the 2nd check-in, the team will recommend ESY for that student.
Not every child needs it, but it should be discussed at every child’s IEP meeting. You know your child best, so if you think your child can benefit from ESY, bring it up with their school staff.
What’s included in ESY?
Extended school year programs offer specialized instruction and related services. It’s not for general education — it only covers goals that are on your child’s IEP (usually on math and reading). There’s a wide range of services that fall under ESY, from worksheets that your child can take home to a full time in-person learning program.
How long is an extended school year? That depends. The amount of hours and frequency can vary, based on what your child needs and your school district’s schedule.
It’s important to note that ESY is not the same thing as summer school. It isn’t there to help your child reach new goals or prepare for the upcoming school year — it’s there to help them retain skills they’ve gained over the year and prevent them from regressing. And ESY is not only for summer vacation. It’s also available over any extended school break.
Quick facts
Some things you might find useful to know:
- You don’t have to accept ESY even if it’s offered. If you think your child won’t be able to handle the extra schoolwork or it won’t work for your schedule, you can turn it down.
- The educational team re-evaluates eligibility every year. If your child got ESY last year, they might not get it again this year. And if your child never qualified in the past, that doesn’t mean they won’t be eligible this year.
- They won’t necessarily cover everything on their IEP in ESY. If their school year IEP listed academic and speech-language goals, their ESY program might only cover the speech-language goals. It depends on what they need most.
- It’s a tailored program. Your child will not walk into a classroom to learn the way they do during the school year. They will receive a program based on what skills they need to retain.
Remember that some regression over a school break is normal, and all skills get rusty when they aren’t used consistently. Most children regain their skills once they get back to their usual school routine. It’s only if they don’t regain their skills within a couple weeks that extended school year programs would come into the picture.
Resources
Want more information on ESY? Check out these helpful resources.
- 7 things to know about ESY by Autism Speaks
- All About Extended School Year Services in Special Education by the Utah Parent Center
- Extended School Year FAQs by CAHELP
- Extended School Year Services For Students with Disabilities: A Parent’s Guide by the Los Angeles Unified School District Division of Special Education do it again next week — and maybe you’ll have a great story to share later on. Try an activity — and you might just discover your child’s new favorite thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Extended School Year (ESY)?
Extended School Year (ESY) services provide educational support beyond the standard 180-day school year for eligible students with IEPs. It helps prevent skill regression during school breaks like summer vacation. ESY is covered under FAPE, so it’s free through your school district.
Who qualifies for ESY?
Students who risk significant regression over school breaks or struggle to recoup skills afterward may qualify. ESY may also be recommended if a child is close to a breakthrough or not making progress on specific IEP goals.
How is ESY eligibility determined?
The IEP team evaluates ESY eligibility during an IEP meeting. They review data on how breaks affect the child’s progress on IEP goals. For example, they might compare performance before a break, immediately after, and two weeks later to assess regression and recovery.
What services are included in ESY?
ESY includes specialized instruction and related services tied to existing IEP goals, typically in subjects like reading and math. It can range from take-home worksheets to full-time in-person programs, depending on the child’s needs.
How long is the extended school year?
There’s no standard length for ESY. Duration and frequency depend on the child’s needs and the school district’s schedule. It may occur during summer or any extended school break.
Is ESY the same as summer school?
No. Summer school is for general education or advancing new skills. ESY is designed to help students with disabilities maintain previously acquired skills and prevent regression.
Can I decline ESY if it’s offered?
Yes. Parents are not required to accept ESY even if the child qualifies. If it doesn’t fit your schedule or you feel it’s unnecessary, you can decline the service.
Does ESY cover all IEP goals?
Not always. ESY focuses on the most critical goals for skill retention. For instance, if a student has both academic and speech goals, the ESY program might only address speech goals.
Will my child automatically get ESY next year?
No. Eligibility is re-evaluated annually. A child who received ESY one year might not qualify the next, and vice versa.
What if my child shows some regression after a break?
Some regression is normal. ESY is considered if the child doesn’t regain skills within a few weeks of returning to school. Parents should bring concerns to the IEP team if they believe ESY might help.
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