The paper reviews court decisions mandating extended-year programs for students with severe and multiple handicaps for whom regression during the summer break threatens the development of independence and addresses considerations in developing such extended year programs. Guidelines center on eligibility, funding, program focus, program length,…

Practical policy issues concerning extended year programs for severely handicapped students include aspects of eligibility criteria as stipulated by the courts and aspects of program development (continuity of quality programming, generalization and maintenance, and nonhandicapped peer involvement). (CL)

A systematic approach to curriculum development for students with severe disabilities enrolled in extended school year programs is described. The approach is community driven, consistent with student Individualized Education Program objectives, tailored to the individual student, and teaches functional skills performed by individuals without…