Summer and Fall

So I know to qualify for summer they have to show a significant regression after a break (like 6-8 weeks). When do the schools usually start assessing this? Is it after the Easter break? Does this go back to the district (is there another meeting)? Or if the school writes up an explanation that's enough? From what I understand, it's pretty difficult to qualify for school in the summer.

Also, what about full day? Right now my boys are in half day (2.5 hours. 5 days a week). They are 3. They will be 4 in November. If we didn't go through CPSE I would have enrolled them in a full day pre-k class. So I really would like them to be full day in the Fall. But I think their school has to determine if they will get full day?

Summer and Fall

For Summer I think it really depends on district. For us when we were in CPSE or CSE, if you were in a program or a self contained class you were automatically based in ESY.

For the fall, push for what you think they need. If your school has a full day and their test scores demonstrate they need the extra support, you shouldn't have an issue.

Summer and Fall

I think it depends on the school district. I just got my letter for the summer. My meeting is March 3rd.

Re: Summer and Fall

I was told that the school district determines whether or not they qualify for a full of half day program. I'm just starting this process though.

Summer and Fall

We have been in therapy thru CPSE since september 1. Our therapist told me already that they are writing up report so that services continue thru summer. My son had regression over xmas break

Summer and Fall

The district determines whether or not they qualify for full day, but the school may or may not have a full day spot for them, even if they qualify. Full day spots are hard to get.

As for regression, they should be tracking it now, ask them about it and ask about February break if they haven't started yet. Some districts want documentation - a percentage of skills lost. Other districts are more willing to give summer services. I had a friend whose DD got to remain in her class for the summer, but got no related services - speech or OT for summer. It varies by district. I also used to keep notes on any regression I noticed at home after breaks, which were mostly behavioral.

Re: Summer and Fall

Thank you for the replies. Their school had no full day spots when they started (January), but I'm hoping some spots open for the Fall. I know they probably start to plan for Fall soon. I have parent-teacher conferences coming up the end of the month and am going to ask then which will also be perfect timing since it's right after the February break.

I kind of brought it up in passing to one of my son's teachers about a week ago and she said it was way too early to determine that now. That's he's still adjusting to the environment, he only has had a couple weeks of school (and not even full weeks-with the holiday, schools closed, etc) and while she thinks he definitely could use more structure, she will have to wait and see until after the April break to see how he is really adjusted etc. she said its way too soon to discuss now.

I get that but want it to be on their minds. I am not too hopeful about summer. At the initial district meeting, the admin said no to summer. She said unless they are diagnosed on the spectrum with a formal written diagnosis, the only other way to qualify was to show very severe regression. In her opinion, from reading the reports she did not feel my boys were severe enough to get summer school, but said if the school and the therapists disagreed they were going to have to present their findings, whatever that means. I'm guessing have to formally show regression with percentages an all? Like I said I am not hopefully here. But, if by some chance my sons get school in the summer, busing is included, correct?

Message edited 2/9/2015 9:31:26 PM.

Re: Summer and Fall

Suffolk County Division of Services for Children With Special Needs just released a new document to all districts regarding Regression and Recoupment. Here is a portion of the document:

So in following NYSED Regulations and Guidelines in order for the CPSE to make a decision on whether the child shows substantial regression and therefore needs an extended school year services or program; the provider must submit any and all documentation necessary to show evidence that substantial regression has occurred due to the child's missing services/program. This is done by providing specific evidence based documentation that shows the child has had substantial regression in the past. This may not be accomplished by a simple regression statement that projects what could happen in the future since no one can make those types of predictions. The evidence should be based on mastered skills only and not newly learned or acquired skills/goals.
It seems that the child would have to be without service for a period of time that is equal to the amount of time that it would take to re-learn what was mastered prior to the child being without the service. Weekends and holiday weeks would not necessarily qualify as an appropriate period to show substantial regression since all children have some regression over holidays and holiday weeks when school is closed. Also some children's services may only happen once a week which would mean the child only missed one session.

The Regulations also indicated that the child have substantial developmental delays which would not be consistent with children who have mild delays in one or even two areas of development. Rather it is relevant for children who have serious concerns in several areas of development where intensive individualized attention is required.

Although Teachers and Therapist should be collecting data consistently in order to improve and monitor the child's growth in learning, there is a period of time that should be considered appropriate to recommend ESY.
If the child has gone without summer services for one summer that would be considered an appropriate time sequence to look at where the child was in June and where the child is upon return to school. We should remember that all children regress over the summer so we should be looking at a substantial amount of time to recoup the learned skills/goals. NYSED gives guidance of 8 weeks to recoup the mastered skill upon return to the services/program after the summer. Eight weeks can interpret into 8 sessions for children who only receive services once a week so the district may look for a longer period of data collection then just the eight weeks.
For children receiving services once or twice a week the frequency alone may not warrant the consideration for ESY. We must make sure the NYSED criteria is followed in making the recommendations as teachers and therapists and in the CPSE's decision as to whether the child is eligible for ESY.

Re: Summer and Fall

Basically what it says is all information proving regression must objective. Providers must prove a child takes longer to recover skills lost over absences from services then other children.

Message edited 2/10/2015 10:07:14 AM.

Summer and Fall

Yes you will get a bus if you are approved for summer school. Also keep in mind that social skills are also taken into consideration for summer school. DD has never had any academic regression and is above grade average but gets services due to severe social deficits.

Re: Summer and Fall

Just wanted to give an update. One of my son's teacher emailed me out of the blue this week to say that she was going to start working on writing up his report to try to get him summer and full day in the fall. She asked if we had ever taken him to a Dev Ped (because if he was diagnosed she could include that) and we would discuss the summer and fall at parent-teacher conferences in 2 weeks but she wanted to give me the heads up so we are on the same page. I am so appreciative.

Now if one of my twins gets it and the other doesn't I don't know what I'll do because he will scream if he sees his brother going to school every day (they both really love school and can't wait for the bus to pick them up). But hopefully he will get it too. I'll just have to cross that bridge when it comes.

On another side note, I had posted about Dev Ped. I decided to make an appointment to take both to the Dev Ped. I figure what can it hurt? It's covered by my insurance. I pray that there is no diagnosis and they just need a little time to catch up but if there is something, I'd rather know.

I called Cohen's and they are booking into the end of June right now. That's crazy. There's a whole packed of paperwork we need to fill out (about 15 pages) and send it back to them with their evals and IEPs and they said when they receive the packet they will call to set an appt. I figured I am going to send everything in after I meet with their teachers in case they tell me anything I want to include.

Thank you everyone for all the feedback.