FOR QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL:

DR. SONIA SCHILLING-MANSOUR

Supervisor
Email Sonia
Office: 814-472-7690 Ext.4314

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR

Each July, Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 provides quality Extended School Year Programs (ESY) to students throughout Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Somerset Counties.

These valuable special education services and related services are provided to eligible students, beyond the 180 day school calendar as required by federal law (IDEA) and state regulations (Chapter 15) when determined, by the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, such services are necessary to provide the child a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 has a variety of service delivery models to provide ESY programs and services.

IU8 site-based programs, taught by certified special education teachers and supported by paraeducators, provide eligible students with opportunities to maintain the educationally relevant IEP goals and objectives typically addressed throughout classroom instruction. Site-based services are provided in classrooms, located in local school district buildings, throughout the IU8. These site-based programs operate on a mutually agreed upon schedule during the month of July. Although determined by the child's IEP Team and based on the student's individual need, site-based programs typically support students in need of and participating in education programs providing Life Skills Support (LSS), Multiple Disabilities Support (MDS) or Autistic Support (AS) throughout the child's regular 180-day school year.

IU 8 also provides limited home-based ESY services to students who are medically fragile and unable to attend a site-based program and as requested by school districts. Home-based services are provided by a certified teacher in the student's home. These services require a parent or guardian to be present during the entire scheduled instructional time.

Please see the Extended School Year Frequently Asked Questions link below or contact an IU8 supervisor with questions regarding ESY eligibility determination or for more information regarding the ESY programs IU8 can provide.