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Intermediate Unit 8 coordinates and operates an Extended School Year Program in four counties including Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Somerset. Extended School Year Services are defined in the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 Implementation Training Manual as special education and related services provided beyond the traditional school calendar for the purpose of ensuring the provision of a free appropriate public education to an eligible student. "A student is eligible for ESY if regression caused by interruption in educational programming, together with the student's limited recoupment capacity, or other factors, makes it unlikely that the student will attain or maintain skills and behavior relevant to established Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives. ESY services shall be designed to attain or maintain skills and behaviors relevant to established IEP goals and objectives (IDEA 1997)." School districts are responsible for considering the need for Extended School Year services (ESY) for every student with a disability.
The IU8 ESY Program addresses the needs of the students to attain or maintain skills and behaviors relevant to the established IEP goals and objectives. The duration and types of ESY services offered vary tremendously because of the variety of children served in ESY. Yet, within the various services offered, educators must continue to provide ESY services tailored to individual needs. These services are to be delivered consistent with the student's IEP objectives developed and implemented during the regular school year and consistent with the current best practices of teaching. The program is individualized to provide academic, social, behavioral, and community-based instruction as indicated by the students' IEPs. ESY programs are provided through instruction in the home, site-based programming, and/or community-based instruction. In addition, students in approved private schools are reviewed for their eligibility and need for ESY services. Educational materials are either provided by the student's school year teacher and/or developed by the ESY instructor.
The site-based programs provide the students with opportunities to maintain or attain the educationally relevant IEP goals and objectives typically addressed through classroom instruction. In addition, community-based instruction (CBI) is an integral component of the program. The students participate in community-based experiences to enhance their social knowledge and behaviors relevant to each experience. Furthermore, the CBI experiences afford the students the opportunity to practice the skills taught during the classroom instruction. Specific activities are based on the county in which the student lives and the site of the program. Yearly feedback from the parents indicates positive responses to the CBI activities.
Certified special education teachers provide Extended School Year programs to the students. IU8 welcomes applications of certified special education teachers interested in participating in the Extended School Year program. If interested in teaching ESY, please contact the Human Resources Department at 814-940-0223 for an application.
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