MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION
Program Quality Assurance Services
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Charter School or District: Southern Berkshire
CPR Onsite Year: 2011-2012
Program Area: Special Education
All corrective action must be fully implemented and all noncompliance
corrected as soon as possible and no later than one year from the issuance
of the Coordinated Program Review Final Report dated 03/14/2012.
Mandatory One-Year Compliance Date: 03/14/2013
Summary of Required Corrective Action Plans in this Report
Criterion
CR 3
Criterion Title
Access to a full range of education programs
CR 6
Availability of in-school programs for pregnant students
CR 16
Notice to students 16 or over leaving school without a high
school diploma, certificate of attainment, or certificate of
completion
Curriculum review
CR 24
CPR Rating
Partially
Implemented
Partially
Implemented
Partially
Implemented
Partially
Implemented
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CPR Rating:
CR 3 Access to a full range of education programs
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Document review and interviews indicate that the district is missing the required
protected categories of sexual orientation, disability, and homelessness from the access to
full range of education programs statement contained in the district's policy.
Description of Corrective Action:
On April 12, 2012, the Southern Berkshire Regional School District School Committee will
act on Policy File JB, Equal Access to General Educational Opportunities, which includes
the required protected categories of sexual orientation, disability, and homelessness. At
the May 16, 2012 faculty meetings, the elementary and secondary faculties will receive
training on the Equal Access to General Educational Opportunities policy.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Expected Date of
David Hastings, Curriculum and Professional Development
Completion:
Coordinator
05/16/2012
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Documents to be submitted: School Committee meeting Agenda for April 12, 2012,
Faculty meeting agendas for May 16, 2012.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Training will include an invitation to the staff to provide input regarding any observed
potential concerns related to the policy. The district's administration will monitor the
district's compliance with the policy.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
CR 3 Access to a full range of education
Status Date: 04/17/2012
programs
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
By June 1, 2012, submit evidence (agenda, sign-in sheet, copy of Equal Access to General
Educational Opportunities policy) that all appropriate staff have been informed about the
requirements regarding the district's Equal Access to General Educational Opportunities
policy.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
06/01/2012
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CPR Rating:
CR 6 Availability of in-school programs for pregnant students
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Document review and interviews indicate that the district's current policy does not permit
pregnant students to remain in regular classes and participate in extracurricular activities
with non-pregnant students and return to classes after giving birth unless a doctor's note
is provided. Under the current policy, a doctor's note is not necessary for all nonpregnant students with other physical and emotional conditions requiring the attention of
a physician.
Description of Corrective Action:
The Southern Berkshire Regional School District school committee will act on policy
JFE/FJJ, Pregnant / Married Students, on April 12, 2012. The updated policy allows
pregnant students to remain in regular classes and participate in extracurricular activities
with non-pregnant students and return to classes after giving birth without the need of a
doctor's note. School staff will be trained in the policy at the May 16, 2012 secondary and
elementary faculty meetings
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Expected Date of
David Hastings, Curriculum and Professional Development
Completion:
Coordinator
05/16/2012
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Documents to be submitted: School committee agenda for April 12, 2012, Faculty
meeting agendas for May 16, 2012.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
The training on the policy will include procedures for reporting possible concerns related
to this policy. The district's administrators will monitor the school's compliance with this
policy.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
CR 6 Availability of in-school programs
Status Date: 04/17/2012
for pregnant students
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
By June 1, 2012, submit evidence (school committee agenda, faculty meeting agenda,
sign-in sheet, copy of Pregnancy Policy) that all appropriate staff have been informed
about the requirement regarding the district's Pregnancy Policy.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
06/01/2012
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CPR Rating:
CR 16 Notice to students 16 or over leaving school without a
Partially Implemented
high school diploma, certificate of attainment, or certificate of
completion
Department CPR Findings:
Document review and interviews indicate that this notice does not inform parents of the
availability of publicly funded post high school academic support programs or encourage
students to participate in those programs. Also, the notice does not include that the
parent may request an extension of time, of not longer than fourteen days, for meeting
with the district representative.
Description of Corrective Action:
The Southern Berkshire Regional School District has implemented improved
administrative procedures related to students who leave school without a high school
diploma. The procedure include informing parents of the availability of publicly funded
post high school academic support programs and encourages students to participate in
those programs. The notice associated with the administrative procedure includes
information that the parent may request an extension of time, of not longer than fourteen
days, for meeting with the district representative.
Faculty will receive training on the administrative procedure during the May 16, 2012
faculty meeting.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Expected Date of
David Hastings, Curriculum and Professional Development
Completion:
Coordinator
05/16/2012
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Documents to be submitted: Administrative Procedure: Students 16 or over leaving
school without a diploma; Administrative Procedure, Letters to Students and Former
Students Who Have Not Earned Competency Determination; Letter, 15 Consecutive Day
Unexcused Absence Letter; Letter: Request for Meeting related to a 15 Day Unexcused
Absence Letter; Meeting Agenda, Students 16 and Over Considering Leaving School
Without a Diploma; Form, Students Considering Withdrawing from School; May 16, 2012
Faculty Meeting Agenda.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
The Administration will maintain a file of students and former students impacted by this
administrative procedure along with copies of all related communication.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
CR 16 Notice to students 16 or over
Status Date: 04/17/2012
leaving school without a high school
diploma, certificate of attainment, or
certificate of completion
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
By June 1, 2012, the district will submit evidence (faculty meeting agenda, sign-in sheet,
a copy of
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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notice to students 16 or over leaving school without a high school diploma, certificate of
attainment, or certificate of completion) that all appropriate staff have been informed
about the requirement regarding the district's notice to students 16 or over leaving school
without a diploma, certificate of attainment, or certificate of completion that includes that
a parent may request an extension of time, of not longer than fourteen days, for meeting
with the district representative.
By June 1, 2012, the district will submit evidence (faculty meeting agenda, sign-in sheet,
copy of annual notice) that all appropriate staff have been informed about the
requirement that the annual notice to former students who have not yet earned their
competency determination and who have not transferred to another school informs
students of the availability of publicly funded post high school academic support programs
or encourage students to participate in those programs.
By November 2, 2012, subsequent to the implementation of corrective actions, the district
will submit copies of both the notice to students 16 or older leaving school without a
diploma and any annual notices sent to former students who have not yet earned their
competency determination and who have not transferred to another school in an effort to
inform them of the availability of publicly funded post-high school academic support
programs and to encourage them to participate in those programs.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
06/01/2012
11/02/2012
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CPR Rating:
CR 24 Curriculum review
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Document review and interviews indicate that the district does not have a procedure in
place for individual teachers to review all educational materials for simplistic, demeaning
generalizations, lacking intellectual merit, on the basis of race, color, sex, religion,
national origin and sexual orientation.
Description of Corrective Action:
The Southern Berkshire Regional School District has implemented an administrative
procedure to ensure that teachers annually review all educational materials for simplistic,
demeaning generalizations, lacking intellectual merit, on the basis of race, color, sex,
religion, national origin and sexual orientation. Curriculum Leaders work with the
teachers in each department to review all educational materials. Any concerns that are
raised by teachers and departments are referred to the principal for action. Faculty
members will receive training on the procedure at the May 16, 2012 secondary and
elementary faculty meetings.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Expected Date of
David Hastings, Curriculum and Professional Development
Completion:
Coordinator
05/16/2012
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Documents submitted: Administrative Procedure, Civil Rights - Curriculum Review;
Sample curriculum reviews from various departments; May 16, 2012 faculty meeting
agendas.
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Curriculum Review forms will be checked to ensure there is documentation showing that
all courses have been properly reviewed annually.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 24 Curriculum review
Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date: 04/17/2012
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
By June 1, 2012, submit evidence (faculty agenda, sign-in sheet, a copy of the district's
written review process for educational materials for simplistic, demeaning generalizations,
lacking intellectual merit, on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin and
sexual orientation) that all staff have been informed about the requirement regarding the
district's review procedures for educational materials.
By November 2, 2012, subsequent to the implementation of corrective actions, the district
will conduct a review of educational materials for simplistic, demeaning generalizations,
lacking intellectual merit, on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin and
sexual orientation. The district will submit a narrative description of the review, the
outcomes including any concerns raised, and actions taken to address any identified
concerns.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
06/01/2012
11/02/2012
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
District: Southern Berkshire Regional School District
Corrective Action Plan Review
Program Area: English Learner Education
Prepared by: Sandra K. Hubbard, Director of Student Service
CAP Form will expand to as many lines as necessary. Before completing and emailing to
pqacap@doe.mass.edu, please see separate Instructions for Completing Corrective Action Plans.
All corrective action must be fully implemented and all noncompliance corrected as soon as
possible and no later than one year from the issuance of the Coordinated Program Review Final
Report to the school or district.
Mandatory One-Year Compliance Date: August 20, 2014
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
(To be completed by school district/charter school)
Criterion & Topic: ELE 5 Program Placement and
Structure
Rating: Partially Implemented
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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Department CPR Finding: The district has a very low incidence of English Language learners
(ELLs) According to the District Analysis, Review and Assistance Tool (DART), the majority of ELLs
are found in the elementary grades (PK6) and a few are in high school. Most students performed at
levels 3, 4 and 5 on the MEP (Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment) in school year 20112012. The district uses Push-Out to provide Direct ESL instruction to individual students.
The district has not developed an ESL curriculum. In this regard the district should note that the
Department has new regulations in place, which may affect the district’s corrective action plan (CAP).
Please refer to: http://www.doe.mass.edu/retell/ for more information.
District documentation indicated that the hours of direct ESL instruction provided to ELLs are
inconsistent with ESE guidelines, especially for students whose English proficiency is at level 3. These
students should receive 5-10 hours of ESL a week instead of the 2-4 hours a week provided by the
district for all levels. Students at levels 4 and 5 should receive 2.5 hours of ESL instruction. In
addition, documentation indicated that some students appear to not receive any ESL services until
space becomes available in the teacher’s schedule.
See ELE 15 for comments on professional development.
To summarize the district is not have a fully implementing an SEI program as required by Chapter
71A. The district does not have an ESL curriculum. ELE students receive instruction from content area
teachers whose SEI training is incomplete, and the hours of ESL instruction provided are inconsistent
with Department guidelines.
Narrative Description of Corrective Action: Students with LEP will be assessed in accordance with
WIDA standards. Once ELLs have been identified and their level of proficiency established, a plan for
intervention and support will be developed according to the WIDA standards and rubrics. ELLs need
to construct meaning from oral and written language as well as to express complex ideas and
information. To achieve this goal, students must practice using language in four language domains:
listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This organization helps educators plan balanced
opportunities for language learning and take advantage of stronger English language skills in one
domain to support their development in the other domains. This format involves the support of
Sheltered English Immersion in core content area classrooms. The nature of language necessitates
the integration of language domains; for example, during classroom interactions, students have to
listen and speak to carry on a conversation. In general, to show processing or comprehension of
language, students need to produce language either orally, in writing, or using semiotics (signs or
symbols). District documentation of ELL proficiency levels and hours of ESL instruction
according to ESE guidelines are now being strictly adhered to and plans are on file for each
individual student. SEI training will be offered as it is available to Cohort 3 districts (2014-15
school year (please see ELE 15 for a description of the PD plan).
Title/Role of Person(s) Responsible for
Expected Date of Completion for Each
Implementation: Sandra Hubbard, Director of
Corrective Action Activity: ELL plans for
Student Services
each student with ESL instructional hours,
cross-curricular planning, and schedule on
file—September 2013. SEI training—see ELE
15 for plan.
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action: All individual ELL plans and schedules; plan for
PD course implementation in SEI, including training agendas.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures: ESE guidelines will be implemented for each ELL,
based on ongoing discussions between ESL teacher and ELE Director.
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
(To be completed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
Criterion: ELE 5 Program Placement
and Structure
Status of Corrective Action:
Approved
Partially Approved
Disapproved
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
The district provided valuable information about language acquisition in the narrative description of
the corrective action plan. However, it is unclear how the ELLs will receive sufficient hours of ESL
instruction in accordance with their ACCESS levels of English proficiency.
Department Order of Corrective Action: N/A
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
1) Please provide a detailed plan that shows that the district is providing sufficient ESL
instruction to all ELL students during the 2013-2014 school year based on the
Department's Transitional Guidance on Identification, Assessment, Placement, and
Reclassification of English Language Learners found at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/TransitionalGuidance.pdf
2) Please complete district information in the attached spreadsheet labeled ELL List by
school for each ELL student in the district.
Progress Report Due Date(s): January 24, 2014
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
(To be completed by school district/charter school)
Criterion & Topic: ELE 10 Parental Notification
Rating: Partially Implemented
Department CPR Finding: Student record review, review of documentation, and interviews revealed
that the Parent Notification Letters did not contain several of the required components: the reasons for
identification of the student as ELL; the child’s level of English proficiency; program placement and/or
the method of instruction used in the program; and the parents’ right to apply for a waiver or to
decline to enroll their child in the program.
Narrative Description of Corrective Action: The Parent Notification Letters now contain each of the
components outlined in ELE 10. A copy can be sent to DESE as proof. This was done right after the
CPR was conducted during the 2011-12 school year. Annual record review will be conducted to
ensure that parent notification letter contains necessary information. Training will be conducted with
ESL teacher to ensure that she understands letter/record/file requirements.
Title/Role of Person(s) Responsible for
Expected Date of Completion for Each
Implementation: Sandra K. Hubbard, Director
Corrective Action Activity: Letter was
of Student Services
completed in January 2012; Annual review of
records: September 2013: Agenda for training
with ESL Teacher: September 2013
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action: copy of the Parent Notification letter; agenda/sign
in sheet for ESL teacher training
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures: Internal monitoring of distribution timeline of letter
and any changes that impact the contact of the letter in the future.(will be discussed in meetings with
ESL teacher
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
(To be completed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
Criterion: ELE 10 Parental
Notification
Status of Corrective Action:
Approved
Partially Approved
Disapproved
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
By January 24, 2014, submit to the department:
a. A copy of the updated Parent Notification Letter.
b. A copy of the agenda and staff sign-in sheet with staff role and signature, and materials
presented for the training on the new parent notification letter.
c. A copy of the district’s internal monitoring procedures regarding parental notification.
By May 23, 2014, submit to the department
d. A copy of the results of the district’s annual review of ELL student records for compliance
regarding the issuance and content of the parent notification letters.
Progress Report Due Date(s): January 24, 2014
May 23, 2014
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
(To be completed by school district/charter school)
Criterion & Topic: ELE 15 Professional
Development Requirements
Rating: Partially Implemented
Department CPR Finding: The district has not implemented a multi-year professional development
plan to train teachers in sheltered English Immersion (SEI). As a result, the majority of teachers in the
district have not completed the four SEI categories although there are some teachers who have
completed category 1.
Please note that the Department’s regulations and requirements concerning SEI training have
changed. Refer to: http://www.doe.mass.edu/retell/ for more information.
Narrative Description of Corrective Action: The District is in RETELL Cohort 3 for the access to
SEI trainings (in accordance with the new requirements for teacher endorsements for licensure). The
District administration has worked with the ELE coordinator to plan a roll-out (via an all district letter
to teachers) and faculty meeting review of the new regulations, which will include a plan for
supporting teachers to attend the required SEI course. The plan will include: release time, planning for
groups of teachers to do the trainings together (beginning in the 2014-15 school year), and follow-up
support provided by the District administration and ELE coordinator.
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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Title/Role of Person(s) Responsible for
Implementation: Sandi Hubbard, Director of
Student Services
Expected Date of Completion for Each
Corrective Action Activity: October 2013:
letter to staff and faculty meetings held. August
2014: Info disseminated to teachers on SEI
courses. By June 2016, all district content area
teachers will have completed DESE funded SEI
course.
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action: Copy of letter to staff; Faculty meeting agenda
and attendance sheet. List of teachers who will be required to take SEI course and to which cohort
group they have been assigned.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures: Teachers will receive ongoing communication
about the endorsement requirements, trainings, and course information via faculty meetings and
electronic communications as information becomes available.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
(To be completed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
Criterion: ELE 15 Professional
Development Requirements
Status of Corrective Action:
Approved
Partially Approved
Disapproved
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
The Department accepts the district’s plan to ensure that all core academic teachers with ELLs and
administrators that supervise core academic teachers of ELLs are endorsed. No further submission is
required at this time.
Department Order of Corrective Action: N/A
Required Elements of Progress Report(s): None required.
Progress Report Due Date(s): N/A
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
(To be completed by school district/charter school)
Criterion & Topic: ELE 18 Records of LEP
Students
Rating: Partially Implemented
Department CPR Finding: Record review and documentation revealed the ELL student records were
missing the following required components: annual parent notification letters, report cards, and
progress reports.
Narrative Description of Corrective Action: A checklist of all documentation required is now in
each ELL student file. All components are now in the files. ELE Director will meet with ESL teacher
to review required documentation and records.
Title/Role of Person(s) Responsible for
Expected Date of Completion for Each
Implementation: Sandra K. Hubbard, Director of
Corrective Action Activity: September 2013
Student Services
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action: Copy of checklist; file audit (with completed
checklist for each ELL). Sign in sheet for meeting between Director and ESL teacher.
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures: All student files will be audited twice per year to
ensure that required documentation is present.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
(To be completed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
Criterion: ELE 18 Records of LEP
Students
Status of Corrective Action:
Approved
Partially Approved
Disapproved
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
By January 24, 2014, submit to the Department:
a. A copy of the new ELE student records checklist.
b. A copy of the sign-in sheet of the meeting held between the ELE Director and ESL teacher to
review the new monitoring procedures for ELE student records.
By May 23, 2014, submit to the Department:
c. A copy of the compliance review completed by the district in the 2nd half of the year to ensure
that all required documentation is present.
Progress Report Due Date(s): January 24, 2014
May 23, 2014
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Program Quality Assurance Services
Southern Berkshire CPR Corrective Action Plan
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