As a Special Education Director, staying informed about key regulations and services is crucial for ensuring that our students receive the support they need. One such essential service is Extended School Services (ESS) in Kentucky, mandated by KRS 158.070. Let's break down what ESS is and why it's important for our students.
What is Extended School Services (ESS)?
According to 704 KAR 3:395, ESS is defined as instructional and support services provided by school districts for students who are unlikely to achieve proficiency or meet academic expectations without additional time or differentiated learning opportunities. ESS is designed to help these students transition to the next level of learning successfully.
Key Features of ESS:
- Provided at times separate from the regular school day, week, or term.
- Includes interventions in the student's intervention plan to ensure they remain on track for postsecondary education and career goals.
Support Services
Support services play a crucial role in facilitating and enhancing instruction. These services may include:
- Transportation
- Instructional materials or supplies
- Student snacks
- School-based counseling
- Community-based mentoring
- Academic advising
- Parent training for follow-through
- Referrals for social, health, or financial assistance through appropriate agencies
These services ensure that students can fully benefit from the instructional program offered through ESS.
At-risk Students
At-risk students are defined as those approved for the free lunch program under state and federal guidelines. However, for ESS purposes, at-risk status alone does not determine eligibility. Instead, a priority selection process is used, considering factors like:
- Individual test scores
- Unsatisfactory grades or work in key subjects
- Working below grade level
- Other individual criteria
Students with the greatest needs are prioritized for ESS referral, but those with short-term academic needs can also participate.
Average Daily Attendance (ADA)
ADA is a crucial factor in determining the funds a school district receives. It's calculated by dividing the aggregate days attended by pupils by the actual number of days the school is in session, after deducting the five days with the lowest attendance. This formula considers both ADA and needs factors like economic deprivation rate, dropout rate, and cognitive index.
Assessments
ESS utilizes various assessments to identify and address gaps in student learning:
- Diagnostic Assessments: Identify gaps in specific content areas.
- Formative Assessments: Used during instruction to adjust teaching and improve student outcomes.
- Interim Assessments: Given periodically to show individual performance against content standards.
- Summative Assessments: Given at the end of a period to evaluate performance against content standards.
Understanding and effectively implementing ESS can significantly impact the academic success of our students. For more detailed information, please follow this link.
