Victory!

I have been asking all year about ESY (Extended School Year) for the Little Man. Each time I ask, they shrug it off or flat out tell me he will not qualify. I have felt since the day he started first grade that he would benefit from, if nothing else, the structure and continuity of ESY. Granted, that's not what it is supposed to be for, but I felt that in his interest, it's what would be best for him.

In February, at our first tri-annual meeting, I again asked and was told no. On April 1st I again inquired, and was told no - after just being handed test results showing him to be at Kindergarten, zero months in math and that his fine motor skills are at a >4 year old level. Even with that knowledge in hand, they still insisted that he did not warrant ESY.

I called for a review meeting. I have spent the past 3 weeks doing research at all hours of the night. WISC, EALR, WAC, BASC, FAPE, ESY - I feel like I know these things like the back of my hand. I typed up an agenda for MY meeting and sent it to his teacher last week as not to catch her off guard. I outlined what goals needed to be addressed, where changes needed to occur on his IEP, what options I felt needed to be on the table for the coming school year, and I plainly added that I wanted him to receive ESY.

The IEP review was today. I brought with me my own notes on my reasons why he was due ESY: 1. Multiple unmet IEP goals, 2. Significant delay in math, 3. Three year delay in fine motor, 4. Probable regression over summer, 5. Slow recoupment in the fall, 6. Less likely to catch up as he ages. I quoted items 2 and 5 of the WAC 392-172A-02020 on Extended School Year Services and how they would apply to TLM. I brought work samples from this time last year in Kindergarten with comparisons of now. I was armed and ready.

We went through my concerns, each specialist had highlighted on their copy of my agenda, the areas that directly affected them. They commented and gave feedback, and commended me for my active role in his advocacy. Not one mention of ESY.

It was nearly time for class to start, children were buzzing around in the halls, and the team began putting their notes away. I was taken aback at first but knew I had to step up and take a stand for him. I politely reminded them that I wanted to discuss ESY.

At first they appeared flustered. I calmly pulled a writing sample out of my notebook and laid it on the table. "This is his writing in March of last year. It is hand over fist better than this year." That was all I said, I left it at that. His OT was the first to speak up, she said that she had similar work samples from Kindergarten and that I was right. Then she said that she also felt he needed ESY. At that point his teacher mentioned that proposals were due to the district three weeks ago (the week that we had our last meeting, when they all agreed that he did NOT need ESY) and that it was too late, even if we did feel he should have it. The OT was the first to speak again. She said that she works OT in the summer and knows that proposals come in late all the time, then she said again that she felt he needed it. His teacher seemed reluctant but agreed. She said that it would take time as she needed to speak with his Kindergarten teacher and find out where he was last year to get an honest feel for where his regression is. Then it was the school psychologists turn. "We have proof right in front of us. Put it through for writing, we'll take care of the details later. He NEEDS this." I tried to hide the smile on my face, and to fight back tears, as I knew that they finally got it. My son became more than a number, more than a dollar sign...he got the validation that he deserves.

And that's how I got ESY for TLM!