ESY stands for Extended School Year. If your child has an IEP, she can get ESY over the summer if the IEP team agrees that being out of school for too long would set your child back too much. ESY includes classes and in-school therapies.

Nothing. ESY is free for students who need it.

The IEP team must agree your child needs ESY in order to learn and make progress. The IEP team should think about:

Does your child have a history of losing skills or falling behind after long breaks from school?

Is your child just starting to make a big jump in her skills?

If so, summer break could set her back.

Look at your child’s test scores and grades to see if they are lower after breaks. Ask her teachers if they see a change in your child’s communication, behavior, or social skills after long breaks. Think about if there are any special reasons she needs ESY.

Yes. If your child needs ESY, her IEP must say it, including:

• The goal or benchmark your child will work on during ESY.
• The teaching and services your child will get.
• The kinds of teachers and therapists that will be working with your child.

ESY can look different than the regular school year. ESY can be a shorter school day and week. It may only last 3-6 weeks. Classes may be at a different school with a different teacher. Your child’s needs will decide what her ESY looks like.

Yes. Schools often offer summer school for credit recovery. There is usually a cost for summer school, and the classes offered do not need to work on the goals in your child’s IEP. ESY is free and focuses on your child’s IEP goals.

Ask for an IEP meeting in writing. Explain that you want to talk about why your child needs ESY and why you believe your child needs it to receive an appropriate education.