Search

Extended school year (ESY) services refer to those special education services received by students during the summer break. These services are needed for those students who receive special education services who would otherwise regress and not readily recoup skills when returning to school. Identifying students who should receive extended school year services is not clear cut and guidelines are the result of a patchwork from case law. This study assessed state (n = 13) and respective local (n = 128) directors of special education on the importance of better determining eligibility for extended school year services. Findings show that state and local special education directors were split with regard to whether there was a need for a screening instrument. However, state and respective local special education directors' responses from the same state were not related to one another. Additionally, local special education directors who reported a need for a screening instrument also reported lower percentages of students who received extended school year services. The results of the current study provide evidence that assistance is needed to determine eligibility for ESY services for students receiving special education services. Although state and local directors of special education did not unanimously agree or necessarily agree with each other in their respective states, results do indicate some need to develop a screening instrument to determine eligibility for ESY services.