Prepare to Advocate for Extended School Year ("ESY") Now

Even though in Illinois it is the dead of winter with snow on the ground, this is the time to gather the data to advocate for Extended School Year ("ESY") services for the summer.  Most school districts rigidly apply a regression-recoupment analysis to determine eligibility for ESY services.  Regression-recoupment looks at whether a child will regress to a significant degree over the summer, and  then whether the child will require significant periods of time to recoup the skills lost. 

Typically projections of summer regression-recoupment are made based upon data gathered during winter break and spring break.  The problem comes in when no one has gathered any data during these periods, and instead school staff rely on faulty memory of the  regression and recoupment of the child.  If parents gather specific data now they will be far ahead in the argument over ESY at the time of annual reviews in the coming months.

The larger issue is that legally in many states regression-recoupment is not the only test for determining ESY services. Many school districts only apply the regression-recoupment analysis even though legally this is not the only criteria for determining ESY and its scope.  The Illinois Board of Education has issued policy [Download Illinois ESY policy.pdf] that detail criteria that are broader than simple regression-recoupment.   The policy in Massachusetts mirrors Illinois and states the criteria well:

"In addition to significant regression and/or limited recoupment, courts have set forth other ESY criteria to be applied by a Team, as follows:

• the degree of the child's impairment
• the parents' ability to provide structure at home
• the child's rate of progress
• the child's specific behavior and/or physical problems
• the availability of alternative resources
• the child's ability to interact with non-disabled children
• the specific curricular areas in which the child needs continuing attention
• the vocational and transition needs of the child
• whether the service requested is "extraordinary" rather than usual in consideration of the child's condition.

        Only when all factors are considered together by the child's Team can a determination be made as to  how much service will be offered."

New York and Wisconsin substantially agree with this analysis.

Even in winter parents can warm up their advocacy now for the summer by gathering good data, and marshaling arguments that apply their respective State's ESY policy. However, be prepared for your local school district to  vigorously resist applying anything other than regression-recoupment. 

 

Comments

[George]

Good heads up Charlie!

[Mary Burger]

discrimination
My husband and I have 3 children gifted with dyslexia. ages, 20,18,15.
they have :
1.diagnosis in 1995 at major hospital
2.diagnosis 2005 .
3.A superior I.Q.
4.parents provided private
tutoring
5.high achievers.
6.daughter went from G.P.A. of 4.0 down to:3.57
(since due process hearning,with the outcome ,once more .Not eligible.Why? because they have Excellent grades ,excellent
behavior,respected by
teachers and community
throughout the school years.
7.excellent students and citizens.
8.son is an Eagle Scout,daughters honor society, treasure of her class.does mission work tutors peers : with chemistry,phisics and calculus.
The three of these young adults were born with a mission.
Our son dreamed of serving our Government, he realized ,in the real world,this is not a reality, for one with a Forth Grade Reading Level.Or one that claims to be illiterate. He is one of many unknowns
that only can dream how it feels to relax with a great Novel.
He was denied special testing on the A.C.T. test. The school would not sign or approve. (even though students are given all the time needed for testing in class."Which leads to lose of educational oppertunity in post secondary years. They don't grade on spelling. wouldn'give proper english course.
The day came, A.C.T. day. He came in the door ,looked down "said, well, "I couldn't read the story problems in addition fast enough to show my ability in calculus.
.Humbled with what some call a disability, this is the gift.

this is discrimination,ignorance and a shame. The power our school has ,is dibilitating to those without it.
Our daughter will graduate this year. The college that has excepted her, is waiting for her A.C.T. score.
17 was her last score. Our son was fortunate, A engineering school excepted him on the spot while visiting the school. They didn't view the score ,untill accomidations were requested.He was and is fortunate,This University has been a God send for him.They hadn't had this situation in the past.They called the ADA and had him approved. Informed the proffesors and much more.
Will our daughters have access to show their ability. Or will ?
I can't even imagine what, the later may be.
Mary Burger
2/3/2006
[email protected]