Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4096
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
May 15, 2013
Ms. Susan J. Thompson, Executive Director
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School
1 Westinghouse Plaza
Hyde Park, MA 02136
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Director Thompson:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your charter school in December 2012. During the Mid-Cycle
Review the Department monitored selected special education criteria to determine your district’s
compliance with special education laws and regulations. The review consisted of information
gathered from one or more of the following activities: interviews, review of student records,
examination of documentation, and classroom observation(s).
The Department determined that one or more of the criteria monitored in your district was
“Partially Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance was
found, the Department has prescribed corrective action for the district. This corrective action
must be implemented as soon as possible, but in no case later than a year from the date of this
report. You will find these requirements for corrective action included in the enclosed report,
along with requirements for submitting progress reports using the enclosed form.
Please provide the Department with your written assurance that all of the required corrective
action will be implemented by your district within the timelines specified in the report. You
must submit your statement of assurance to Darlene Lynch, Director, Program Quality Assurance
Services, by May 31, 2013.
1
Your staff's cooperation throughout this Mid-cycle Review is appreciated. If you have questions
about this letter or the enclosed report, please do not hesitate to contact Nathan Lemmon at 781338-3720.
Sincerely,
Nathan Lemmon, Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
cc:
Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Jane Ewing, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Nancy Snyder, Chairperson, Board of Directors, Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter
School
Marthali Nicodemus, Local Program Review Coordinator, Academy of the Pacific Rim
Charter School
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: December 5, 2012
Date of this Report: May 15, 2013
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN TWO SECTIONS.
Required Special Education Criteria Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
Current special education criteria available by scrolling down to the special education instrument at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Document
Review
SE 7
Transfer of
Parental Rights at
Age of Majority

Interviews
Student
Record
Review
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
Document review, interviews and
student records demonstrated that
the charter school consistently
notifies parents and students of
the transfer of educational
decision-making rights one year
prior to students reaching the age
of 18.
Student records confirmed that
IEP Teams add a statement in the
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 1 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
IEP documenting that parents and
students were informed of the
transfer of rights from the
parent/guardian to the student
upon the student's 18th birthday.
Written documentation of the
student’s decision-making choice
was also found in student files.
Student records also demonstrated
that the school obtains consent to
continue IEPs from students as
soon as they have attained the age
of majority.
SE 8
IEP Team
Composition and
Attendance

Document
Review
Interviews
Student
Record
Review
According to interviews and
student records, the school has an
established process to ensure that
required IEP Team members
attend IEP meetings. If a required
IEP Team member cannot attend,
the school notifies the parent in
advance and offers to reschedule
the meeting. If the parent consents
to go ahead with the meeting, the
school obtains the parent’s
agreement to excuse the IEP Team
member in writing.
Record review also demonstrated
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 2 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
that excused required Team
members consistently provide
written input to Teams for IEP
development, which can include
an Educational Assessment B,
information from a weekly
performance update or quarterly
progress report, depending on the
circumstances.
The school’s policy also has a
provision for excusing the
attendance of Team members who
are not necessary because their
area of the curriculum or services
is not being modified or discussed.
According to the special education
administrator, staff members who
chair IEP Team meetings are
qualified to supervise or provide
special education services and are
able to commit the resources of
the charter school.
SE 18A
IEP Development
and Content
Document
Review
A review of documents,
interviews, and student records
verified that when a student’s
evaluation data indicates that
his/her disability affects social
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 3 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews

Student
Record
Review
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
skills development or makes them
susceptible to bullying,
harassment, or teasing, the IEP
addresses the skills and
proficiencies needed to avoid and
respond to bullying, harassment,
or teasing. The school’s IEP
Teams specifically address the
skills needed to respond to
bullying, harassment, or teasing
for students on the autism
spectrum in the student’s IEP.
Record review also showed that
the school documents these
discussions in the Team’s
summary of decisions and
agreements provided to parents at
the conclusion of the Team
meeting.
SE 25
Parental consent
Document
Review
Document review and interviews
confirmed that when a parent
revokes consent in writing, the
school will promptly send a notice
to parents that indicates the
discontinuation of special
education services will occur
within a reasonable time-frame,
along with a copy of the parent’s
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 4 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation

Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
procedural safeguards.
Interviews
Additionally, an interview with
the Special Education director
verified that the school will not
use mediation or request a due
process hearing to obtain
agreement or a ruling requiring
the continuation of services,
consistent with federal regulation.
At the time of the onsite review,
the school did not have any
current records for revocation of
consent.

SE 51
Appropriate
special education
teacher licensure
(Commonwealth
Charter Schools
only)
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
The charter school employs three
(3) staff members who deliver
specialized instruction but who do
not have valid Special Education
licenses or undergraduate or
graduate degrees in Special
Education.
According to the school’s
documents and special education
administrator, these individuals
are provided with consultation and
direct supervision by a licensed
Special Education staff member as
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 5 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
recommended by the DESE
Charter School Office (see
http://www.doe.mass.edu/charter/
sped/staffqualifications.html).
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 6 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Additional Special Education Criteria Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
Current special education criteria available by scrolling down to the special education instrument at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
SE 2
Required and
Optional
Assessments
SE 9
Timeline for
determination of
eligibility
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews
Student Record
Review

Interviews
Student Record
Review
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
A review of student records
and interviews with staff
members indicated that
educational assessments,
including a history of the
student's educational progress
in the general curriculum and
teacher assessment that
addresses attention skills,
participation behaviors,
communication skills, memory
and social relations with
groups, peers and adults, are
consistently completed for
initial evaluations and reevaluations and are placed in
the student record.
A review of student records
and interviews indicated that
the school’s IEP Teams
consistently determine a
student’s eligibility for special
education and either propose
an IEP and placement or
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 7 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
provide a written explanation
of the finding of no eligibility
within 45 days of receiving
written parental consent.
SE 11
School District
Response to
Parental Request
Independent
Educational
Evaluation
Partially
Implemented
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Document review and
interviews with administrative
staff indicated that the school’s
independent educational
evaluation (IEE) policy offers
the opportunity for an
independent evaluation upon
request for 16 months
following a district evaluation
as required. However, this
policy does not contain
information on the sliding fee
scale for public payment of
independent educational
evaluations.
Please revise the school’s
written policy for independent
educational evaluations to
include all the elements using
the Administrative Advisory
available at SPED 2001-3
guidance as the basis:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/spe
d/advisories/04_1.html.
Please provide training to the
IEP Team chairpersons
regarding the revised
procedures for IEEs. Please be
sure to include any other
personnel responsible for
oversight of the requirements
for independent educational
evaluations.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 8 of 13
Please provide to
the Department
the revised
written policy for
responding to
parent requests
for independent
educational
evaluations by
June 7, 2013.
Please provide
evidence of
training provided
to IEP Team
chairpersons,
including the
signed attendance
sheet with staff
name and role,
the agenda, and
training materials
by June 7, 2013.
Criterion
SE 18B
Determination of
Placement;
Provision of IEP
to Parent
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Partially
Implemented
Interviews
Student
Record
Review
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
Student records and
interviews indicate that
although the school provides
parents with a summary of
services, accommodations and
goals at the end of a Team
meeting, the proposed IEP and
placement are consistently sent
more than 10 days after the IEP
Team meeting.
Please conduct a root cause
analysis for IEPs developed
between January 1, 2013 and
April 15, 2013 to determine
why IEPs are proposed to
parents in excess of 10 days
from the date of the IEP Team
meeting.
Propose a set of corrective
actions based on the root
causes identified by the
school to ensure that proposed
IEPs and placements are sent
to parents no more than ten
(10) days following a IEP
Team meeting.
Conduct an internal review of
student records to ensure that
IEPs and placements are
proposed to parents within 10
days. Please sample
approximately 3-4 records per
grade level from IEP Team
meetings convened after all
corrective actions have been
implemented.
*Please note that when
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 9 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Please provide a
detailed
description of the
analysis
conducted, the
outcomes, the
school’s
corrective actions
with associated
timelines and the
staff responsible
(by name and
role). This
progress report is
due by June 7,
2013.
Please submit the
report of the
results of the
internal review of
records. Please
include the
number of records
reviewed and the
number of student
records in
compliance. For
all records not in
compliance,
Criterion
SE 22
IEP
Implementation
and Availability
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Partially
Implemented
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Administrative staff interviews
indicate that the school has no
formal procedure for informing
teachers when an IEP has been
accepted and should be
immediately implemented.
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
conducting internal
monitoring the district must
maintain the following
documentation and make it
available to the Department
upon request: a) List of
student names and grade
level for the record review;
b) Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who
conducted the review, their
roles(s), and their
signature(s).
please determine
the root causes(s)
of the
noncompliance
and submit the
district’s plan to
remedy the
noncompliance.
This progress
report is due
October 28,
2013.
Develop a protocol and
procedure for informing all
teachers and related service
staff as soon as the
Administrator becomes aware
that an IEP has been accepted
by a parent.
Submit evidence
of staff training,
to include but not
be limited to a
training agenda
and attendance
sheet with staff
names and titles
by June 7, 2013.
Provide training to all
teaching and related services
staff on the new procedure to
ensure that teachers and
services providers are aware
of the mutually agreed upon
services so they can
implement them without
delay.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 10 of 13
Please submit a
description of the
district’s internal
tracking and
monitoring
system. Please be
sure to include the
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
Please develop an internal
tracking and monitoring
system to ensure that
appropriate teachers and
service providers are informed
when an IEP has been
accepted for implementation.
Please identify personnel
responsible for supervisory
oversight and periodic
reviews of this requirement.
SE 29
Communications
are in English and
primary language
of home

Document
Review
Interviews
Student Record
Review
Document review, student
records, and staff interviews
confirmed that the school has
written policies and procedures
to ensure that translations and
interpreters are available to
families whose first language is
not English. When the school
provides information by oral
interpretation, this is
documented in the student
record.
Student record review
demonstrated that special
education documents are
consistently translated and
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 11 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
names of the
personnel
responsible for
supervisory
oversight by June
7, 2013.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
interpreters are listed on the
Attendance Sheet (N3A).
Notations in the Summary
Notes Section and in the
Additional Information section
of IEPs include a record of oral
translations and
communications when
provided.
SE 46
Procedures for
Suspension of
students with
disabilities when
suspensions
exceed 10 days

Document
Review
Interviews
Student Record
Review
Document review, student
records, and staff interviews
confirmed that the school has
written policies and procedures
to ensure that when a
suspension constitutes a
change in placement of a
student with a disability, a
manifestation determination is
conducted to determine if the
student’s behavior is caused by
his/her disability. Interviews
indicated that IEP
Chairpersons and teachers have
been trained in the school’s
procedures and understand the
process.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 12 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 50
Administrator of
Special Education
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Document
Review
Interviews
SE 56
Special Education
Programs and
Services are
Evaluated

Document
Review
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
Document review and
interviews show that the
Special Education
Administrator is a licensed
Massachusetts Special
Education Administrator.
Document review and staff
interviews demonstrated that
the Dean of Support Services
and the Learning Team
conduct an annual evaluation
of the Special Education
programs and services by
surveying staff and reviewing
student achievement data to
develop a framework for
identifying program needs and
for implementing improvement
initiatives.
Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 13 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC RIM CHARTER SCHOOL
M I D – CY C L E P R O G R E S S R E P O R T
Date Prepared: ____________________________________
Prepared by: __________________________________________________________________
(name and title)
Criterion: _______________________
Topic: ________________________________________________________________________
For each criterion for which you prepare a progress report, please



make a copy of this cover page,
fill in the information requested above, and
attach a complete description of the corrective action taken and any accompanying documentation.
(Description of corrective action for each criterion and any accompanying documentation should include all of the
“Progress Report Required Elements” for that criterion in the Mid-cycle Report.)
Send the whole set of completed progress reports to:
Darlene Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906