Cooking Beyond The Bell: 7 Key Ingredients To A Successful Extended School Year Program
Summer is a time for students to relax and take a much needed break from the rigor of the school year. But of course that is not the
case for every student. Have you ever wondered what the Extended School Year Program (or ESY as it is known in the Special
Education world) is all about? How does the Extended School Year Program benefit students with special needs? The Extended School
Year Program is a program offered during the summer for students who receive Special Education services.The Extended School Year
Program has several benefits which make it appealing. Having experienced it myself, the Extended School Year Program is an amazing
experience you should try. Stick around to learn more about seven key ingredients to a successful extended school year and three tips
you can use now.
1. The Program Create Continuity
The Extended School Year Program provides uninterrupted continuity. Students with special needs thrive on routine and structure.
The program helps maintain the consistency your students had throughout the year.By minimizing long breaks, like summer vacation,
your students can retain the skills they have learned and avoid regression, ensuring a smoother transition into the new school year.
2. Instruction Is Ongoing In The Program
Let’s face it, learning loss can be a challenge for any student during extended breaks. However, students with special needs often
experience more significant regression. The Extended School Year Program combat this by providing ongoing instruction and
reinforcement of essential skills. It is important that your students be able to retain some of the learning they experienced during the
school year.
3. The Program Provides Personalized Support
During a regular school year, it can be difficult to provide individualized attention to each student.The Extended School Year Program
on the other hand, often has smaller class sizes and a lower student-to-teacher ratio.This enables you to tailor instruction to each
of your student’s unique needs, ensuring they receive the personalized support necessary for their growth and development.
4. The Program Builds Social Development
For students with special needs, social interaction and communication skills are important for their overall development. The Extended
School Year Program provides an excellent opportunity for your students to engage with their peers in a supportive and structured
environment. Through group activities, collaborative projects, and social skill-building activities, your students can build their social
skills and form lasting friendships (at least for the summer).
5. The Program Bridges Learning Gaps
Quite often students with special needs struggle with taking skills learned in one setting to applying them to another environment.
The Extended School Year Program can include community-based instruction, field trips, and real-life scenarios, providing your
students with a variety of opportunities to practice and generalize their skills in different environments.This real-world application
will help your students bridge the gap between the classroom and everyday life.
6. The Program Is An Easy Transition
Transitions can be very challenging for students with special needs. The Extended School Year Program eases these transitions by
providing a bridge between the current and upcoming school year. Your students have an opportunity to become familiar with their
new teachers, classmates, and routines. The anxiety is reduced for a student who is unsure or entering a new environment. It also
facilitates a smoother adjustment when the regular school year begins.
7. Parents Involved Is Important
The Program encourage active involvement from parents and caregivers.This collaboration between you and the families fosters a
holistic approach to the child’s education. Parents can stay engaged with the program while they receive progress
updates regularly.They can actively participate in their child’s learning process and strengthening the support system for students with
special needs.
Final Thoughts
Attending an Extended School Year Program can help students with special needs.Student can benefit from greater continuity. Skill
retention helps to promote social skills development and smooth transitions for students.The benefits are numerous. By investing in
the Extended School Year Program, you can ensure that students with special needs receive the support and resources they need.The
individualized attention from a smaller teacher to student ratio allows the students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
By supporting students with special needs, you can give them the tools they need to improve and strengthen their skills.
Here Are Three Tips To Keep In Mind:
· Provide your students’ with regular hands-on activities.
· End the day with a fun and engaging activity.
· Create a summer playlist of music you can play in the classroom.
Click To Download Free
