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Summer is in full swing, and for many students with IEPs, that means extended school year (ESY) programming. An ESY program is a bit different from summer school. ESY includes specialized instruction and related services that the student needs in order to prevent regression of skills during the extended break from school.
Like the rest of the child's IEP, the ESY program must be individualized to meet that particular student's unique educational needs, and allow him to make progress on his IEP goals and objectives. Not all special education students require extended school year services. If your child is not likely to lose skills over the summer, or if she is able to quickly recoup any previously learned skills even after an extended break, she likely is not entitled to ESY.
The school year just ended, and you probably had an annual review meeting in April or May to update your child's individualized education plan (IEP). Or perhaps the IEP team plans to meet in September or October, once the new school year is underway, to review your child's educational progress and update the IEP accordingly. Summer is the time to scrutinize your child's IEP, organize his evaluations and progress reports, and plan ahead to set him up for success this fall. Here is what you can do to make the start of a new school year less hectic for both of you:
The following post is part of a series of reflections and interview responses given by successful young adults with varying disabilities who have direct experience with the Connecticut Special Education system. Our interviewer and writer is Katie Feinstein, daughter of Attorney Feinstein, who is also a successful young adult living with disabilities. Katie chronicles individuals respective journeys within the system and beyond, into their adult lives. The Feinstein Education Law Group represented some of these young adults when they were students. Katie asks individuals to discuss their struggles, triumphs and perspectives as they consider their pasts and move forward into futures of hope and evolving independence.
Your child has special needs, and you've had those established by a medical provider. You want your child to go to school and have fun with the other children, but his or her education is important to you, too.
You know there are some options to help with your child's schoolwork and assessments. Those options are open to people who opt into an individualized education program.
On November 9, 2017, thirty-seven parent advocates, attorneys, and surrogate parents submitted a letter to Commissioner of Education Dianna R. Wentzell to request that she remind Connecticut school administrators of their duty to appropriately educate students identified as having an Emotional Disturbance as defined by IDEA and State law. In many cases, Emotionally Disturbed students require intensive mental health services as part of their individualized education plans (IEPs).
When your child requires special education, it's the school's job to make sure he or she is not harassed by other students. A good educational facility makes sure students are kind to one another and understand differences. They should not tolerate abuse or harassment.
Despite that, many children do go through stages where they struggle with bullies. How can you help your child, especially when he or she has special needs?
The recently approved ESSA Connecticut State Plan appears on the federal Education Department's website in a format that is inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. In a letter signed by twenty-seven Connecticut parent advocates and attorneys, Connecticut Education Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell has been asked to remedy this situation by making the PDF accessible in compliance with Sections 508 and 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
It's truly inspiring how far we have come to assist special needs children with their educations. The numerous advances have opened up the doors of universities across the United States to a wide variety of students with special needs.
If you're a Connecticut parent with a special needs child, and you're preparing your child for university, the following tips can help.
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