EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR GUIDE

Extended School Year
Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about ESY services, requirements, and documentation. Plus AI-powered tools to streamline your special education writing.

Learn About ESYESY Documentation Tools
IDEA
Required by Federal Law
IEP
Team Decision
∼6-8
Weeks Typical Duration
1:1
Individualized Services

What is Extended School Year?

Extended School Year (ESY) services are special education and related services provided to students with disabilities beyond the normal school year. ESY is not summer school—it's individualized programming designed to prevent significant educational regression.

Legal Foundation

ESY services are required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Schools must provide ESY when necessary to ensure a student receives a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and to prevent substantial regression of critical skills.

Individual Decision

ESY eligibility is determined individually by each student's IEP team. There are no blanket policies based on disability category, severity, or specific programs. Each decision must be based on the unique needs of the student.

ESY Eligibility Factors

Regression Analysis

Student shows significant skill loss during breaks from school

Recoupment Period

Takes excessive time to regain lost skills after breaks

IEP Team Decision

Collaborative team determines need based on data and observations

Individual Needs

Services tailored to prevent regression in specific skill areas

ESY Documentation Challenges

ESY programs require extensive documentation. From IEP goals to progress reports, special education professionals spend countless hours writing.

Common ESY Documentation Requirements

Writing clear, measurable IEP goals for summer programming
Creating progress reports that track skill maintenance
Documenting regression data and recoupment analysis
Communicating with parents about summer programming needs
Developing lesson plans aligned with IEP objectives
Tracking and reporting student progress throughout ESY

Streamline Your ESY Documentation

While we don't provide ESY services, Esy's AI-powered writing platform helps special education professionals create better documentation faster. Save hours on IEP goals, progress reports, and parent communications.

ESY Frequently Asked Questions

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