Extended School Year (ESY)

When is ESY Needed?

ESY is needed whenever a student would experience unacceptable regression and recoupment. Research conducted by Tilley, Cox, and Staybrook (1986) found that most students experience some regression over the summer months. Students in regular education regressed by about 4% as measured by standardized tests. The study also found that students with mild handicaps, serious behavior disorders, and hearing impairments regressed at about the same rate as regular education students. Students with moderate and severe handicaps showed a faster rate of regression and a slower rate of recoupment. Regression occurred in language, gross motor, fine motor, and self-help skills as well as in academic areas. ESY should be made available whenever there is an indication of substantially greater regression and slower recoupment than for regular education students. Tilley, Cox, and Staybrook (1986) assumed that there would be no regression in language, gross motor, and self-help skills by regular class students; therefore, any regression in these areas by a handicapped student might automatically fulfill eligibility criteria. The issue of self-sufficiency has been a major factor in litigation and has been interpreted as the attainment of functional skills. 

How is Eligibility for ESY Determined?

The most appropriate method for determining eligibility for ESY is direct, ongoing assessment of individualized education program (IEP) objectives as they relate to the regression and recoupment a child experiences (Browder, 1987; Browder & Lentz, 1985). According to Alper and Noie (1987), 25 states currently rely on IEP teams that include teachers, administrators, related services personnel, and parents to assess eligibility on an individual basis. Browder, Lentz, Knoster, and Wilansky (1988) made the point that assessment of IEP objectives should be clearly defined and consistent to avoid an esoteric approach. The advantages of this method are that (a) assessment can be matched to each objective in every student's IEP, (b) cross-time trends can be noted, and (c) the data obtained can be compared and used for subsequent evaluation of service effectiveness. 

A series of measurements is valuable in providing a baseline to document regression and a point from which to measure recoupment. Edgar, Spence, and Kennowitz (1977) recommended a four-point schedule for collecting data about student progress: (1) at the end of the regular school year, (2) at the end of the summer program, (3) at the beginning of the subsequent year, and (4) at the end of the subsequent school year. 

Parent and teacher reports are integral to accurate assessment of a child's need for ESY. They are necessary in order to form a complete picture of the child's level of functioning and to supply information such as regression and recoupment history, current instructional strategies, maintenance strategies, family circumstances, and recent behavioral and medical problems. 

What are Some Factors That Could Mandate a Need for ESY?

1. Type and severity of the handicap. 
2. Presence of medically diagnosed health impairments. 
3. The child's age. 
4. Attainment of self-sufficiency. 

The severity of the handicap is a major factor in providing ESY services. Litigation has been geared primarily to individuals with moderate and severe handicaps, because regression and recoupment are more marked in these individuals. Younger students with medically diagnosed health impairments are more likely to receive ESY services, possibly because teachers consider them to be especially at risk for regression due to degenerative diseases or school-year absenteeism (Browder et al., 1988). 

The attainment of self-sufficiency has been a key issue in ESY eligibility, although only one study has specifically addressed it in terms of regression and recoupment. McMahon (1983) analyzed teacher ratings on 10 areas of self-sufficiency for 26 ESY students attending a private 6-week summer program. He found that regression did occur when instruction was interrupted, but there was improvement when it was resumed. 

What Other Factors May be Considered in Offering an ESY Program?

1. Need for recreational programs. 
2. Respite care for parents. 
3. Family environmental factors (family stress levels). 

Although they are not supported by litigation, recreation and respite care for parents are two critical areas of concern in considering ESY programs. It may be argued that these factors are valid considerations because they affect both regression and recoupment. Stress levels can influence a family's ability to implement maintenance procedures (Browder et al., 1988). Respite care and recreation may be effective in decreasing family stress levels and providing support for parents and, in turn, may promote recoupment. 

What Types of Delivery Models are Available?

There is a range of options available in providing ESY services beyond those found in typical center-based summer programs. Programming should involve modification of the regular-year instruction in order to maximize the potential for generalization and maintenance during the summer interruption of instruction (Sobsey, 1985). 

Instruction should be based on established IEP objectives, but methods may need to be altered in order to provide maintenance, as opposed to acquisition of skills. Partial mastery of IEP objectives may also indicate that summer support is required until complete mastery is achieved. 

Delivery options for ESY services include but are not limited to the following: 1. The traditional 2- to 6-week school-based summer program. 2. Home consultation to provide support and instruction to parents in preventing regression. 3. Residential placement in a boarding facility. 4. Summer camp or recreational programs that provide opportunities for maintenance of skills. 5. Private summer school programs providing the least restrictive environment available. 

Support services should also be made available when they are required for maintenance of skills. These services may include speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy, and adaptive physical education. 

References

Alper, S., & Noie, D. R. (1987). Extended school year services for students with severe handicaps: A national survey. THE JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR PERSONS WITH SEVERE HANDICAPS, 12, 61-66. EJ354020 

Armstrong v. Kline, 476 F. Supp. 583 (E.D. Pa. 1979). Aff'd CA78- 0172 (3rd Cir., July 15, 1980). 

Battle v. Commonwealth, 79-2158, 79-2188-90, 79-2568-70 (3rd Cir., July 18, 1980). 

Browder, D. (in press). Methodology for implementation of ESY. In L. H. Meyer, C. A. Peck, & L. Brown (Eds.), Critical Issues in the Lives of People with Severe Disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes. 

Browder, D. (1987). Assessment of Individuals with Severe Handicaps: An Applied Behavioral Approach to Life Skills Assessment. Baltimore: Paul H.Brookes. 

Browder, D., & Lentz, F. E. (1985). Extended school year services: From litigation to assessment and evaluation. SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW, 14, 188-195. EJ317622 

Browder, D. M., Lentz, F. E., Knoster, T. P., & Wilansky, C. (1988). Determining extended school year eligibility: From esoteric to explicit criteria. THE JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR PERSONS WITH SEVERE HANDICAPS, 13, 235-243. EJ387204 

Edgar, E., Spence, W., & Kennowitz, L. (1977). Extended school year for the handicapped: Is it working? JOURNAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, 11, 441-447. EJ177753 

McMahon, J. (1983). Extended school year programs. EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN, 49, 457-461. EJ281160 

National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE). (1989). Extended school year programs for children with handicaps: A literature review and report. LIAISON BULLETIN, 15, (3). 

Sobsey, D. (1985, April). Developing and Implementing Summer-School Programs for Students with Severe Handicaps. Paper presented at the annual convention of The Council for Exceptional Children, Anaheim, CA. ED261477 

Stainback, W. C., Stainback, S. B., & Hatcher, C. W. (1983). Developing policies for extended year programs. THE JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE SEVERELY HANDICAPPED, 8(3), 5-9. EJ295109 

Tilley, B. K., Cox, L. S., & Staybrook, N. (1986). An Extended School Year Validation Study. (Report No. 86-2). Seattle: Seattle Public Schools.