Summer break—it’s something everyone looks forward to. Your child is ready for a rest from the routine. And honestly, so are you.
But here’s the hard truth many parents don’t know: For children with disabilities, that break can undo months of hard-earned progress.
While you might assume the school system automatically addresses this regression risk through special education summer programs—the responsibility to prevent this regression ultimately falls on you, the parent.
“Most parents don’t realize that knowing about and advocating for Extended School Year (ESY) services is their responsibility,” explains Juan Hernandez, Director of Special Education Support Services at Brighton Center. “Yes, schools should inform you about ESY—but realistically, many parents are never told or don’t understand what they’re being told. And when regression happens, it’s your family that deals with the consequences.”
This post aims to do two things:
- Make you aware of your rights regarding Extended School Year (ESY) services in Texas
- Help you understand what these rights mean in practice—because knowing your rights is just the beginning
Your Child, Your Voice: The Essential Role of Parent Advocacy
If you’re a parent or caregiver of a student receiving special education services, you’ve likely felt it—that quiet worry creeping in after every long weekend or holiday break.
Did I maintain enough of the routine to keep their skills intact?
Will we need to start from scratch again?
Juan, who has two children with disabilities himself, speaks candidly about the importance of parental responsibility: “I put a lot of weight on parents because the reality is, no one is going to care for your child or advocate for them like you will—not even me, and I’m a professional advocate. This is your child, and you have the personal connection that makes you their most powerful champion.”
This blunt approach comes from experience. When parents ask Juan to attend meetings in their place, he firmly declines, explaining that he can’t make decisions for someone else’s child.
It’s a tough message, but acknowledging this responsibility is the first step toward ensuring your child doesn’t lose the critical progress they’ve made.
What is ESY and What Makes it Different From Summer School?
Extended School Year (ESY) services are individualized special education supports provided outside the standard school year, typically during the summer, for students who receive special education services and risk significant regression in critical skills during school breaks.
But ESY is not the same as traditional summer school or other special education summer programs. Summer school focuses on earning credits or catching up academically. Extended School Year is about maintaining progress, not teaching something new, but keeping essential skills from slipping away.
And unlike summer school, ESY isn’t open to everyone. It’s available only to students whose needs meet specific criteria. Most often, those include:
• Significant skill regression over breaks (not just a temporary dip)
• Difficulty recouping those skills within a typical timeframe (generally 6–8 weeks)
• Risk of harm to the student or others if behaviors or functional skills are lost
In other words, if a child works hard to acquire a skill—and loses it every time school pauses—ESY can be a crucial bridge to help prevent regression and maintain progress.
“It’s Not Just Academics—It’s About Behavior and Function”
Juan explains what’s really at stake with Extended School Year services:
“We’re not just talking about academics. We’re talking about being able to navigate the day. Waiting in line. Using the restroom. Communicating without aggression. These are the kinds of skills that, if lost, can make it nearly impossible for a student to reintegrate smoothly in the fall.”
When Juan’s son experienced a period without a certified teacher in his classroom, the results were dramatic: communication regressed, behaviors escalated, and hard-won progress began to unravel.
Juan emphasizes that for children who struggle to gain skills in the first place, a summer without support can undo months of milestones. Even small accomplishments, such as waiting in line or using a communication device, are significant breakthroughs that require consistent reinforcement to maintain.
That’s why Extended School Year isn’t just a program—it’s the prevention of summer regression for children with IEPs.
ESY vs. Compensatory Services: Understanding the Difference
Parents sometimes confuse Extended School Year services with compensatory services, but they serve very different purposes:
ESY: Preventative maintenance of skills when a child has shown regression during breaks. It prevents future loss and is provided even when the school has fulfilled all its obligations properly.
Compensatory Services: Remedial services provided when a school has failed to deliver appropriate education as required by law. These services aim to make up for lost progress due to the school’s failure.
The key distinction is that Extended School Year is designed to maintain skills during scheduled breaks. Nothing has gone wrong; it’s simply that some children need continuous support to maintain progress.
For example, a family we worked with received compensatory services when their child didn’t have a properly certified teacher for several months. The resulting regression in communication skills and increase in self-injurious behaviors required additional intervention beyond what ESY would provide.
Eligibility Is a Team Decision—But Parents Must Take the Lead
Extended School Year eligibility is officially determined by your child’s ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) committee, which includes teachers, specialists, administrators—and you. But Juan Hernandez, who holds a Master of Education, is crystal clear about who should be driving this process:
“The ARD committee makes the final decision, but parents need to take the wheel,” Juan emphasizes. “Schools are overwhelmed with responsibilities, and your student is one of many. For you, your child is everything.”
This isn’t about being confrontational; it’s about being proactive. Based on our work with hundreds of families, we recommend parents take several specific actions:
Document everything yourself. Don’t wait for the school to notice regression. They might not be looking specifically for it unless you ask them to.
Create your own tracking system: Keep a basic chart to note dates and observations about your child’s key skills, including how long they can wait, whether they use their communication device, and instances of challenging behavior. This documentation is your responsibility as a parent.
Directly request the school’s data. Instead of vague questions about how your child is doing, ask specifically what data has been collected on their ability to maintain skills after breaks, and request to see behavior frequency charts or other concrete measurements.
Schedule the meeting yourself. Don’t wait to be invited to discuss ESY; take the initiative to discuss it. By April of the current school year, email the case manager and explicitly request an ARD meeting to discuss ESY eligibility. Put it in writing, and follow up until it’s scheduled.
We understand that parents are busy, but the reality is that no one—not even the best teacher or the most dedicated specialist—will advocate for your child as effectively as you will.
The Documentation Strategy: Everything in Writing
As mentioned above, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of written communication. If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen. Keep receipts on everything and email, email, email.
Our top tip is to create a dedicated email account for your child’s educational purposes. Something like JohnnySchool@gmail.com, where all communications can be organized and preserved.
Even after in-person conversations with teachers, follow up with a brief email to create a record of what was discussed:
- Skill regression after breaks
- Behavior changes
- Communication progress
- Academic performance
This documentation becomes crucial evidence when discussing ESY eligibility.
What Does Extended School Year Typically Look Like?
While it varies by district, Extended School Year programs in Texas school districts (including those in the San Antonio area) typically follow this general structure:
- Duration: 4 days a week, for about 4 weeks
- Schedule: Half-days (about 4 hours)
- Location: Often not at your child’s home campus
- Staffing: May not be your child’s regular teacher
- Focus: Targeted support in areas where regression occurs—often behavior and functional skills
In San Antonio specifically, Juan notes that ESY programs may be centralized at certain campuses, so transportation is something parents should discuss during the ARD meeting.
Some students thrive with ESY. Others may do well with alternative special education summer programs like private tutoring, therapy services, or home-based structure.
For families in Bexar County with limited resources, Brighton Center can help identify additional summer support options if ESY isn’t available or sufficient for your child’s needs.
No One Will Advocate for Your Child Like You Will
Our Special Education Support Services team often reminds families that being your child’s advocate for Extended School Year services doesn’t mean doing it alone. Brighton Center’s specialists are here to walk with you—to help review IEPs, understand progress data, and ask the right questions.
But that journey begins with you.
You are the constant in your child’s life. Teachers may change. Campuses may change. But your voice, your knowledge of what works and what doesn’t—that’s what matters most. You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to show up.
If you’re feeling lost or alone in this process, consider scheduling a free consultation with our Special Education Consultants. They can help you understand your options and develop a plan for moving forward.
5 Things You Can Do Right Now
- Observe and take notes after any school break—look for signs of regression in behavior, daily function, or academics.
- Email your kiddo’s team and ask what progress monitoring data they’ve collected since the last break.
- Request an ARD meeting to discuss ESY—don’t wait until May.
- Create a dedicated email account for school communication and keep digital “receipts” of every conversation.
- Reach out to Brighton Center for support reviewing your kiddo’s IEP or preparing for the ARD meeting.
One More Thing: Before the New School Year Starts…
If you read nothing else, read this: Open communication with your child’s next teacher early.
“Open up communication with the new team before school starts,” Juan advises. “Let them know of any changes over summer, especially factors that could impact your child’s adjustment.”
Whether the student receives ESY services or not, the transition back to school sets the tone for the entire year. Email the new team. Share what’s changed, what’s worked, and what to be mindful of.
And above all: keep showing up.
Because when you do, you’re not just maintaining skills. You’re helping your child build a stronger, steadier path forward.
Resources for Families
The journey through special education doesn’t have to be traveled alone. Here are some important resources to help you navigate ESY services and advocate effectively:
- Brighton Center’s Special Education Support Services – Our SESS consultants can help you prepare for ARD meetings, understand your rights, and develop documentation strategies.
- Texas Project First – Created by parents, for parents, this site provides comprehensive guides to the special education process in Texas, including ESY services.
- Texas Education Agency Special Education Resources – The official state site with information about your rights under Texas special education law.
- ESY Parent Guide from Partners Resource Network – Texas-specific guides for understanding and advocating for ESY services.
- Wright’s Law – Comprehensive information about special education law and advocacy, including sample letters and documentation strategies.
Brighton Center is committed to ensuring that kiddos with special needs have the opportunity to reach their full potential while providing their families with guidance and support. Our SESS Consultants can help you prepare for ESY discussions and plan for the next school year. Contact us to learn more about our services.
