Extended School Year Services: A Review of Eligibility Criteria and Program Appropriateness

Abstract

Students with disabilities may require extended school year services (ESYS) to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Although the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations require ESYS if necessary to provide FAPE, the Department of Education has “declined to establish standards” for ESYS eligibility. Absent federal guidelines concerning eligibility, IEP teams rely upon state standards and judicial interpretations in determining a student's need for ESYS. This article extended a review of ESYS eligibility factors conducted by Rapport and Thomas (1993). Fifty-seven ESYS cases were reviewed for factors used in decisions concerning ESYS eligibility and program appropriateness. Several implications for school IEP teams are also presented.