Introduction

The federal law, individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and New Jersey special education code specify the requirements local school districts must follow in providing special education and related services to students with disabilities.

In meeting their obligation to offer each child with a disability a free, appropriate public education (FAPE), local school districts must make available programs and services that meet a child's individual needs.  Some children may require the provision of services beyond the traditional school year.  Such services are components known as extended school year (ESY) services.  Federal and state law and regulations do not require that every student with a disability receive extended school year services.  These decisions are to be made in each individual case based on established eligibility criteria that have evolved over the past 20+ years through case law and procedural application of the IDEA.

Listed are some frequently asked questions regarding the extended school year.  For more in-depth information on ESY, please visit the NJ Department of Education Website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What does extended school year (ESY) mean?
A.  Educational programming beyond the traditional 180 day school year for eligible students with
     disabilities as outlined by the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Q.  Who must be considered for ESY services?
A.  Every student with a disability under IDEA must be considered for ESY services.  The
     determination of whether a student is eligible for ESY services is made on an individual basis
     by the student's IEP team and must be discussed at each annual IEP review meeting.

Q.  Who determines ESY eligibility?
A.  The IEP team determines eligibility for ESY services.  The team is made up of the parent, child
     if appropriate, regular education teacher if the student is or may be in a regular class, at least
     one special education teacher or provider, at least one child study team member, the school
     district representative who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision of special education
     and is knowledgeable about the general curriculum and the available resources, and others at the
     parent's or school's discretion.