Summer school and ESY are not the same thing, and that difference matters.

For school administrators and special education teams, this is one of those topics that can create confusion quickly if staff, families, and IEP teams are not speaking the same language.

Summer school is usually a general education program focused on enrichment, remediation, credit recovery, or course completion.

ESY, or Extended School Year, is an individualized special education decision made by the IEP team based on student need. It is connected to FAPE, critical skill maintenance, regression and recoupment, related services, and the student’s unique IEP goals.

A student may attend summer school, qualify for ESY, qualify for both, or qualify for neither.

That is why districts should plan early, review data carefully, document decisions clearly, and communicate expectations with families before summer programming begins.

For administrators, the key reminders are simple:

Use data.
Protect services.
Plan early.

At Liricare, we understand how important staffing and service delivery are during both the regular school year and extended school year. When districts need support with special education teachers, SLPs, OTs, PTs, nurses, school psychologists, or related service providers, early planning makes all the difference.

This visual is a quick reminder for school leaders and special education teams preparing for summer services and the upcoming school year.

This tip sheet introduces and provides an overview of the 13 disability categories that students may be eligible for an individualized education program (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This tip sheet defines speech or language impairment under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and shares strategies for success.

Strategies & Tips: How Special Education Teachers and Speech Therapists Can Work Together to Close Out the School Year

Work and life balance

Wishing our entire Liricare community a meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

Today, we honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their dedication reminds us of what it means to truly show up for others.

To every SLP, OT, PT, special education teacher, psychologist, and therapist here: that same spirit of service lives in your work every day. The children, families, and individuals you support are lucky to have you.

Take time today to rest and recharge. Thank you for all that you do. 🤍

Focus!

Happy (belated) National Speech-Language Pathologist Day!

May 18th was a day dedicated to celebrating one of the most impactful professions in healthcare, and the Liricare team wants to extend our warmest wishes to every SLP in our community.

Your work goes far beyond therapy sessions. You restore confidence, rebuild connections, and open doors that once felt closed. Every milestone your clients reach is a testament to the skill and heart you pour into this profession.

Thank you for all that you do, today and every day!

Happy SLP Appreciation Day!

See how school-based speech-language pathologists provide preventative support to improve students’ communication and literacy skills.

😞

Monday Mindset:

The school year is almost at the finish line, but for SLPs, OTs, PTs, special education teachers, and school administrators, this is not the time to coast.

This is the time to close the year with data, dignity, and direction.

The end of the year is not just about finishing paperwork. It is about protecting student progress, documenting services, reviewing IEP implementation, preparing families for summer, and setting the next team up for success.

For SLPs, this may mean making sure communication goals, service logs, progress notes, and recommendations are clear.

For OTs and PTs, this may mean documenting functional progress, equipment needs, accessibility concerns, and carryover strategies.

For special education teachers, this may mean updating progress reports, reviewing accommodations, organizing student records, and making sure IEP teams have the information they need.

For school administrators, this may mean looking at staffing patterns, compliance timelines, service delivery gaps, parent concerns, and what needs to improve before next school year begins.

The final weeks of school reveal the strength of the system.

Do we have the data?
Are services documented?
Are families informed?
Are staff supported?
Are students prepared for the next step?

Liricare is here to support the professionals doing this important work. Whether you are a therapist, special education teacher, related service provider, or school leader, your role matters.

Finish strong. Document well. Communicate clearly. Lead with purpose.

Autism support should not feel like searching for a needle in a digital haystack.

Families, educators, therapists, and school teams need trusted resources they can find quickly, understand clearly, and use with confidence. That is why this Autism Website Resource List is such a valuable tool.

This resource brings together a wide range of autism-related supports, including parent guidance, early childhood resources, evidence-based practices, communication supports, behavior strategies, safety resources, multilingual family resources, professional development, transition supports, and school-based special education connections.

For parents, it can help reduce the confusion after a diagnosis.

For teachers, it can support stronger classroom planning.

For therapists, it can connect services to evidence-based practices.

For school leaders, it can help teams build better support systems for students with autism.

This is the kind of resource that belongs in every special education toolbox.

Check it out and share it with a family, teacher, therapist, or school team that could use a reliable starting point.

Because when the right resources are easier to find, support becomes easier to provide.

How to Work in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Speech Pathologist:
https://www.uslanguageservices.com/guides-resources/how-to-work-in-the-us-as-a-foreign-educated-speech-pathologist/

https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/2026-slp-schools-family-support-Kurian/full/

Current Special Education Remote Positions in California (May 8, 2026)

Motivational Friday

Effective Strategies for Managing SLP Paperwork in Schools

As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) working in a school setting, managing paperwork can often feel overwhelming. With varying caseloads and numerous responsibilities, it’s crucial to have strategies in place to streamline the process.

Here are some effective tips to help you manage your SLP paperwork efficiently:

1. Organization is Key

Create a Calendar: Keep a separate calendar for important due dates related to IEPs, progress notes, and evaluations. This will help you stay on track and plan ahead.

Draft in Advance: Try to complete rough drafts of significant documents, like IEPs, at least a week before they are due. This gives you ample time for revisions.

2. Data Tracking

Use Data Tracking Tools: Implement tools like Google Sheets or Excel to create templates for tracking student data. This can simplify data management and reporting.

Daily Input: Spend a few minutes each day entering data into your tracking tools. This small effort can save you hours when it comes time to report.

3. Template Creation

Standard Layout Templates: Develop templates for frequently used paperwork to save time on formatting. This will make it easier to generate reports and documentation.

Quarterly Progress Notes: Create one document that includes all your students. Format their current goals and leave placeholders for data input.

4. Goal Bank Development

Compile a Goal Bank: Create a resource containing specific, measurable goals tailored to your district's requirements. This will speed up the IEP writing process.

Reference Pre-Made Goal Banks: Utilize online resources and previous IEPs as starting points for building your goal bank.

5. Text Expansion Tools

Utilize Text Expansion: Implement tools that allow you to insert frequently used phrases automatically. This reduces repetitive typing and saves time.

Daily Schedule Document: At the start of your day, outline your schedule and include key documentation phrases for quick reference.

Conclusion

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage your paperwork, allowing you to focus more on providing quality care to your students.

What strategies do you use to manage your SLP paperwork? Share your tips in the comments below!

School SLPs, this one is for you.

The end of the school year can feel like a race between IEP meetings, progress reports, service logs, evaluations, AAC devices, and the mysterious pile of materials that somehow keeps growing in the therapy room.

That is exactly why an end-of-the-year checklist matters.

A strong closeout process helps school-based speech-language therapists:

What is one end-of-year task you always make sure to complete before summer break?