Extended School Year (ESY) is defined as special education and related services that are provided to a child with a disability beyond the normal school year of the public agency in accordance with the child’s IEP and at no cost to the parents of the child (ISBE, 23 IAC 226.75). Eligibility for ESY services is determined by the student’s IEP team members, which includes parents, and must be provided if the team determines that the services are necessary for a student to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). In determining eligibility for ESY, teams will consider a variety of factors including the severity of the student’s needs, evidence of past loss of skills during extended breaks from school, and patterns of recoupment of skills when returning from breaks. The purpose of ESY is to help students maintain their current skill levels.

The District 57 ESY program will provide eligible students with academic instruction in reading, writing, and math. Instruction will be tailored to maintain skills identified in each student’s IEP using a district-approved curriculum. Related services will be provided as determined in the ESY section of each student’s IEP.

Your child’s IEP team will discuss your child’s eligibility for ESY at the annual review meeting. If your child is eligible for ESY, you will receive an email with registration information. Please contact your child's special education case manager if you have specific questions regarding the eligibility of services. Your child is welcome to attend ESY for only part of the summer.