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
September 11, 2012
Dr. John Brucato, Executive Director
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School
201 Forest Street
Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Dr. Brucato:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district in April 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 September 27, 2012.
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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
Elizabeth Young Ahern, Ed.D., Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Craig Holbrook, Board of Trustees Chairperson
Jeanne Nesbit, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: April 23-24, 2012
Date of this Report: September 11, 2012
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
SE 7
Transfer of
parental
rights and
student
participation
and consent
at age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
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
demonstrated that the charter
school provides notice and
options for the transfer of
parental rights to the student and
the parent at the Team meeting
one year prior to the student
reaching 18 years of age.
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
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(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
When a student reaches 18 years
of age the charter school
implements procedures to obtain
consent from the student,
student and parent or delegated
adult in accordance with the
student’s selection regarding
decision-making.
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and
attendance

SE 18A
IEP
development
and content

Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
A review of student records and
interviews with staff members
indicated that the charter school
maintains procedures consistent
with the requirements for Team
attendance at each IEP meeting.
Team chairs have received
training and are implementing
the excusal process that includes
parental agreement and a written
report from the absent required
Team member.
Interviews with staff members
and a review of student records
indicated that upon entry into
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Staff
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
the charter school the services
described on the student’s
previous IEP are implemented.
If changes are made to the
student’s special education
program, those changes come
only after the Team has met and
a new proposal for services is
signed and agreed-upon by the
parent or guardian.
Further, interviews and the
review of student records
showed that the IEP Team
considers and addresses the
skills and proficiencies needed
to avoid and respond to
bullying, harassment, or teasing
for students identified with a
disability that affects social
skills development or when the
student’s disability makes him
or her vulnerable to bullying,
harassment or teasing, as well as
for students identified with a
disability on the autism
spectrum.
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
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(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 25
Parental
consent
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Interviews with staff members
indicated that the charter school
district has procedures in place
to address when a parent
revokes consent to special
education services in writing.
The file review also
demonstrated that the charter
school acts promptly and
provides written notice to the
parent/guardian’s written
request to discontinue services
based on the revocation of
consent, as well as information
on how the parent can obtain a
copy of his/her procedural
safeguards before the district
discontinues the services.
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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(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 1
Assessments
Appropriately
Selected and
Interpreted
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
A review of student
records and
interviews with staff
members indicated
that tests and other
evaluation materials
are consistently
tailored to assess
specific areas of
educational need and
related
developmental
needs. Further, the
charter school, for
those students whose
primary language is
other than English,
administers
assessments in a
language most likely
to yield accurate
information on what
the student knows
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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(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
and can do
academically,
developmentally and
functionally.
SE 2

A review of student
records and
interviews with staff
members indicated
that all required
assessments,
including
educational
assessments and
assessments in all
areas related to the
suspected disability,
are conducted and
documented in the
student record.
Required and
Optional
Assessments
SE 3
SLD
Requirements

Student
Records
A review of student
records indicated that
the Team develops a
written
determination as to
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
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(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
whether or not the
student has a specific
learning disability,
which is signed by
all members of the
Team, and if there is
disagreement as to
the determination,
one or more Team
members document
their disagreement.
SE 4
Assessment
Reports
PI
A review of student
records demonstrated
that the charter
school completes
assessments prior to
the Team meeting
and also make copies
of the assessment
reports available to
parents at least two
days in advance of
the Team discussion.
However, the
assessment reports
The charter school must conduct
an analysis of a cross section of
initial evaluations and reevaluations conducted between
January 2012 and April 2012 to
determine why summaries of
some assessments do not define
in detail and in educationally
relevant and common terms, the
student’s needs, offering explicit
means of meeting them. Based
on the results of the analysis,
provide the district’s
determination of the root cause(s)
of the noncompliance, the steps
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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Please submit the
results of the
charter school’s
analysis. Include
a description of
the root cause(s);
of the
noncompliance, a
description of the
steps the charter
school will take to
correct the root
cause(s); the
district’s proposed
timeline for
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
did not consistently
summarize in writing
the procedures
employed, the
results, and the
diagnostic
impressions and
define in
educationally
relevant and
common terms the
student’s needs,
offering explicit
means of meeting
them.
the district proposes to take to
correct the non-compliance and a
timeline for the implementation
of those corrections.
implementation of
corrective actions
by October 31,
2012.
The charter school must develop
an internal tracking and oversight
system with periodic review by
designated person(s) responsible,
to ensure that assessments
consistently contain summaries
that describe the procedures
employed, the results, and the
diagnostic impressions, and
define in educationally relevant
and common terms the student’s
needs, offering explicit means of
meeting them.
The charter school must conduct
an administrative review of a
sampling of student records where
evaluations were conducted after
the implementation of all
corrective action steps to ensure
that all assessment reports contain
complete summaries.
Please submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
system and
identify the
person(s)
responsible for the
oversight,
including the date
for the system’s
implementation to
the Department by
October 31, 2012.
Please note when conducting
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Submit a report of
the results of the
administrative
record review.
Include the
number of student
records reviewed;
number of records
in compliance; for
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
internal monitoring that district
must maintain the following
documentation and make it
available to the Department upon
request: a) List of the student
names and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date of the
review; c) Name of person(s)
who conducted the review, their
role(s), and signature(s).
SE 6
Determination of
Transition

Student
Records
A review of student
records showed that
for all students who
are 14 years or older
the IEP Team
discusses the
student’s transition
needs and documents
the discussion on the
Transition Planning
Form annually.
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
records not in
compliance,
determine the root
cause(s); and the
specific action(s)
taken by the
charter school to
remedy the noncompliance by
April 8, 2013.
Criterion
SE 9
Timeline
Determination of
Eligibility
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
Student
Records
A review of student
records and
interviews with staff
members indicated
that the charter
school does not
consistently
determine whether a
student is eligible for
special education and
provide to the parent
either a proposed
IEP and proposed
placement or a
written explanation
of the finding of no
eligibility within the
45 school working
days after receipt of
the parent's written
consent to an initial
evaluation or a
re-evaluation.
The charter school must conduct
a record review of students who
have undergone an initial or reevaluation from October 2011 to
April 2012 to determine the root
cause(s) of non-compliance
related to determining eligibility
within 45 school working days
after receipt of the parent's
written consent to an initial
evaluation or a re-evaluation.
Based on the results of the
analysis, provide the district’s
determination of the root cause(s)
of the noncompliance, the steps
the district proposes to take to
correct the non-compliance and a
timeline for the implementation
of those corrections.
Staff
Interviews
The charter school must develop
an internal tracking and oversight
system with periodic review by
designated person(s) responsible,
to ensure that timelines for
determining eligibility are met.
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Please submit the
results of the
charter school’s
analysis. Include
a description of
the root cause(s);
of the noncompliance, a
description of the
steps the charter
school will take to
correct the root
cause(s); the
charter school’s
proposed timeline
for
implementation of
corrective actions
by October 31,
2012.
Please submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
system and
identify 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
The charter school must conduct
an administrative review of a
sampling of student records where
evaluations were conducted after
the implementation of all
corrective action steps to ensure
that all timelines for determining
eligibility are met.
person(s)
responsible for the
oversight,
including the date
for the system’s
implementation to
the Department by
October 31, 2012.
Please note when conducting
internal monitoring that district
must maintain the following
documentation and make it
available to the Department upon
request: a) List of the student
names and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date of the
review; c) Name of person(s)
who conducted the review, their
role(s), and signature(s).
Submit the results
of the
administrative
review. Indicate
the number of
records reviewed,
the number found
to be compliant,
an explanation of
the root cause for
any continued
noncompliance,
and a description
of additional
corrective actions
to be taken by the
charter school to
address any
identified non-
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September 11, 2012
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(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
compliance by
April 8, 2013.
SE 9A
Elements of
Eligibility

Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
A review of student
records and
interviews with staff
members has
demonstrated that the
charter school has
developed and
implemented
appropriate
procedures for the
elements of
eligibility
determination;
general education
accommodations and
services for
ineligible students
however; the school
is not consistently
meeting the timeline
requirements for
completing
evaluations. See SE
9.
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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Criterion
SE 14
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion

Student
Records
A review of student
records demonstrated
that the charter
school at least
annually, on or
before the
anniversary date of
the IEP, convenes a
Team meeting to
consider the
student’s progress
and to review, revise,
or develop a new IEP
or refer the student
for a re-evaluation,
as appropriate.

Student
Records
A review of student
records and
interviews with staff
members
demonstrated that the
charter school does
have a system in
place to provide
Criterion
Implemented

Review and
Revision of IEPs
SE 18B
Determination of
Placement IEP
sent to Parents
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Staff
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 11, 2012
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(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
incoming student’s
with placements
consistent with their
level of need.
Further, it was
evident that the
charter school
conducts reevaluations before
taking any action
with respect to a
change in a student’s
placement.
SE 22
IEP
Implementation
and Availability

Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Interviews with staff
members and a
review of student
records indicated that
upon entry, the
charter school
immediately
implements all
aspects of the
student’s agreed
upon IEP, including
direct services and
appropriate
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September 11, 2012
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(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
placement.
SE 24

Student
Records
A review of student
records showed that
the charter school’s
written notice to
parents consistently
informs them of
what evaluation
procedures, tests,
records or reports
were used as a basis
for the proposed
action.

Student
Records
A review of student
records showed that
the charter school
ensures that the
parent notice of any
Team meeting states
the purpose, time and
location of the
meeting as well as
who will be in
attendance.
Notice Requirements
SE 27
Content of Team
Meeting Notice
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September 11, 2012
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(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 32
Criterion
Implemented


Parent Advisory
Council
Requirements
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
Staff
Interviews
A review of
documentation and
interviews with staff
and parents indicated
that the charter
school has
established a schoolwide parent advisory
council on Special
Education (PAC).
Parent
Interviews
Document
Review
SE 34
Continuum of
Special Education
Services

Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
Interviews with
administrators and a
review of student
records showed that
the charter school
does now offer an
appropriate
continuum of
services for those
students requiring
placements and
services outside the
general education
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September 11, 2012
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(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

SE 36
Implementation,
Accountability
and Financial
Responsibility

SE 47
Procedures
Required
Students not yet
Identified

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
and full inclusion
settings.
A review of student
records and
interviews with staff
members
demonstrated that all
signed IEPs are fully
implemented
including IEPs of
students that initially
enroll from another
school district.
A review of charter
school
documentation and
interviews with staff
members
demonstrated that the
charter school has
appropriate
procedures in place
to conduct expedited
evaluations in
instances when a
parent requests a
student evaluation
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September 11, 2012
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(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
subsequent to a
disciplinary action.
SE 53
Use of Paraprofessionals

Staff
Interviews
Document
Review
SE 54
Professional
Development

Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Interviews with staff
members and a
review of charter
school
documentation
showed that
paraprofessional
staff members
receive appropriate
training to assist in
the provision of
special education
services for students.
A review of charter
school
documentation and
interviews with staff
members indicated
that the charter
school provides all
school staff with
training on methods
of collaboration
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September 11, 2012
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(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
among teachers,
paraprofessionals
and teacher
assistants, as well as
training topics
related to the
accommodation of
diverse learning
styles of all students.
Further, the charter
school has a system
in place to ensure
that transportation
contractors have
been provided
training.
SE 59
Transfer of
Student Records

Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Interviews with staff
members and a
review of student
records demonstrated
that the charter
school has a process
in place to obtain the
complete special
education record
from the student’s
previous school upon
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September 11, 2012
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(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
enrollment.
Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
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20
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Advanced Math and Science Academy 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