COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
MID-CYCLE REPORT
District: Attleboro Public Schools
MCR Onsite Dates: 05/02/2013 - 05/03/2013
Program Area: Special Education
Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
MID-CYCLE REPORT
SE Criterion # 1 - Assessments are appropriately selected and
interpreted for students referred for evaluation
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review and an interview indicated that tests and other evaluation materials are
provided and administered to English language learners in a language and form most likely to
yield accurate information on what the student knows and can do academically,
developmentally, and functionally.
SE Criterion # 2 - Required and optional assessments
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that educational assessments administered by a
representative of the school district included a history of the student's educational progress in
the general curriculum.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Program Quality Assurance Services
Attleboro Public Schools Mid-Cycle Report – June 18, 2013 04:52:01 PM
Page 2 of 8
SE Criterion # 3 - Special requirements for determination of specific
learning disability
Rating:
Not Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review and an interview indicated that when a student suspected of having a
specific learning disability was evaluated, the Team did not consistently create a written
determination as to whether or not he or she had a specific learning disability, which could
then be signed by all members of the Team, or if there was disagreement as to the
determination, one or more Team members could document their disagreement.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Provide training to Team chairs and other key personnel on the requirement that when a
student suspected of having a specific learning disability (SLD) is evaluated, the Team
creates a written determination as to whether or not he or she has a SLD, which all members
must sign. Please see Memorandum on Specific Learning Disability-Eligibility Process/Forms
(http;//www.doe.mass.edu/sped/iep/sid/).
Develop an internal monitoring and tracking system, with periodic review by designated
person(s) responsible, to ensure that when a student suspected of having a specific learning
disability is evaluated, a written determination is included in the student’s record.
Conduct an administrative review of records for students across all grade levels and schools
who were evaluated for a specific learning disability after all corrective action has been
implemented. Verify that the Team created a written determination as to whether or not the
student has an SLD, which all members signed, or provided documentation of their
disagreement.
*Please note that when 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 levels for the record review; b) Date of the review; c) Name of person(s)
who conducted the review, with their role(s) and signature(s).
Required Elements of Progress Reports:
Submit evidence that appropriate staff were trained on the requirements for SLD (an agenda
with sign-in sheet and materials used, if any) by September 30, 2013.
Submit a description of the district’s internal monitoring and tracking system for SLD
determination, the person(s) responsible and dates for periodic review, by September 30,
2013.
Submit a report of the results of the administrative review of student records and include the
number of records reviewed; the number in compliance, the root cause of any noncompliance and the corrective actions the district will take to remedy any non-compliance by
January 30, 2014.
The Department will conduct an onsite visit to verify correction of non-compliance after the
district has completed all necessary corrective actions.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
01/30/2014
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Program Quality Assurance Services
Attleboro Public Schools Mid-Cycle Report – June 18, 2013 04:52:01 PM
Page 3 of 8
SE Criterion # 7 - Transfer of parental rights at age of majority and
student participation and consent at the age of majority
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that one year prior to the student reaching age 18, the district
informed the student and the parent/guardian of the rights that would transfer from the
parent/guardian to the student upon the student's 18th birthday and the notification stated that
all rights accorded to parents under special education law would transfer to the 18-year-old.
Upon reaching the age of 18, the school district implemented procedures to obtain consent
from the student to continue the student’s special education program.
SE Criterion # 8 - IEP Team composition and attendance
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that a general education teacher attended IEP Team
meetings consistently when the student was involved in a general education program.
Student record review indicated that members of the Team attend Team meetings unless the
district and the parent agree, in writing, that the attendance of the Team member is not
necessary because the member’s area of the curriculum or related services is not being
modified or discussed, or the district and the parent agree, in writing to excuse a required
Team member’s participation and the excused member provides written input into the
development of the IEP to the parent and the IEP team prior to the meeting.
SE Criterion # 9 - Timeline for determination of eligibility and provision
of documentation to parent
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that the district consistently holds Team meetings within the
required 45 school working day timeline after receipt of the parent’s written consent for
evaluation.
SE Criterion # 9A - Elements of the eligibility determination; general
education accommodations and services for ineligible students
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review and an interview indicated that when students at the high school are
found not eligible for special education, Teams consider if the student may be eligible for
accommodations for disabilities under Section 504.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Program Quality Assurance Services
Attleboro Public Schools Mid-Cycle Report – June 18, 2013 04:52:01 PM
Page 4 of 8
SE Criterion # 12 - Frequency of re-evaluation
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that re-evaluations are conducted every three years as
required.
SE Criterion # 13 - Progress Reports and content
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that when a student's eligibility has terminated because the
student graduated from secondary school or exceeded the age of eligibility, the school district
provides the student with a summary of his or her academic achievement and functional
performance, including recommendations on how to assist the student in meeting his or her
postsecondary goals.
SE Criterion # 18A - IEP development and content
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review and an interview indicated that whenever the IEP Team evaluation
indicates that a student's disability affects social skills development, or when the student's
disability makes him or her vulnerable to bullying, harassment, or teasing, the IEP addressed
the skills and proficiencies needed to avoid and respond to bullying, harassment, or teasing.
For students identified with a disability on the autism spectrum, the IEP Team specifically
addressed the skills and proficiencies needed to avoid and respond to bullying, harassment,
or teasing.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Program Quality Assurance Services
Attleboro Public Schools Mid-Cycle Report – June 18, 2013 04:52:01 PM
Page 5 of 8
SE Criterion # 18B - Determination of placement; provision of IEP to
parent
Rating:
Not Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review and an interview indicated that the district is providing the parent with
one copy of the proposed IEP and proposed placement immediately after the IEP is
developed.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Review with appropriate staff information explaining the requirement that the district must
provide the parent with two (2) copies of the proposed IEP and placement immediately after
the IEP is developed, along with the required Notice of Proposed School District Action (N1)
that includes documentation that two copies of the IEP have been sent.
Develop an internal monitoring and tracking system, with periodic review by designated
person(s), to ensure that the district provides the parent with two (2) copies of the proposed
IEP and placement after the IEP is developed.
Conduct an administrative review of student records with IEPs completed after all corrective
action has been implemented to determine if parents were provided with two (2) copies, and
documentation of such is noted on the N1. Please select a sample of student records across
all grade levels and schools.
*Please note when 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 levels for the record review; b) Date of the review; c) Name of person(s)
who conducted the review, with their role(s) and signature(s).
Required Elements of Progress Reports:
Submit a description of the process that the district will follow to ensure that parents receive
two (2) copies of the proposed IEP and proposed placement, by September 30, 2013.
Submit a description of the district’s internal monitoring and tracking system, the person(s)
responsible and dates of periodic review, by September 30, 2013.
Submit a report of the results of the administrative review of student records and include the
number of records reviewed; the number in compliance, the root cause of any noncompliance and the corrective actions the district will take to remedy any non-compliance by
January 30, 2014.
The Department will conduct an onsite visit to verify correction of non-compliance after the
district has completed all necessary corrective actions.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
01/30/2014
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Program Quality Assurance Services
Attleboro Public Schools Mid-Cycle Report – June 18, 2013 04:52:01 PM
Page 6 of 8
SE Criterion # 22 - IEP implementation and availability
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that at the beginning of the school year, the district had an
IEP in effect for each eligible student.
SE Criterion # 24 - Notice to parent regarding proposal or refusal to
initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement
of the child or the provision of FAPE
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that when a student is referred for an evaluation to determine
eligibility for special education, the school district sends written notice to the child's parent(s)
within five school days of receipt of the referral, along with the district's notice of procedural
safeguards.
SE Criterion # 25 - Parental consent
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review indicated that the district obtained written parental consent before
conducting an initial evaluation or re-evaluation.
Student record review indicated that when the parent revokes his/her consent to the student’s
special education services in writing, the district discontinues all special education services
and does not use mediation or request a due process hearing to obtain agreement or a ruling
requiring the continuation of services, consistent with federal regulation. The district also acts
promptly to provide written notice to the parent/guardian of the district’s proposal to
discontinue services based on the revocation of consent, as well as information on how the
parent can obtain a copy of his/her right to procedural safeguards. The district provides the
notice a reasonable time before the district intends to discontinue the services.
SE Criterion # 26 - Parent participation in meetings
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
The district submitted the roster of special needs students as required by the Department.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Program Quality Assurance Services
Attleboro Public Schools Mid-Cycle Report – June 18, 2013 04:52:01 PM
Page 7 of 8
SE Criterion # 29 - Communications are in English and primary language
of home
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review and an interview indicated that the district communicates with parents
in the primary language of the home when the primary language is other than English.
SE Criterion # 48 - FAPE (Free, appropriate, public education): Equal
opportunity to participate in educational, nonacademic, extracurricular
and ancillary programs, as well as participation in regular education
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
Student record review and an interview indicated that at all levels, the district provides
counseling services to special education students who are English language learners in
language they can understand.
SE Criterion # 51 - Appropriate special education teacher licensure
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
A review of the district’s documentation and an interview indicated that all of its special
education teachers hold appropriate special education teacher licensure.
SE Criterion # 55 - Special education facilities and classrooms
Rating:
Implemented
Basis for Findings:
An observation of the special education facilities and classrooms at the high school indicated
that the Alternative Learning Program (ALP), a self-contained program, is housed in two
classrooms that are equal in all physical respects to the average standards of general
education facilities and the location of this program maximizes the inclusion of the ALP
students into the life of the school because they are among their general education peers.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education – Program Quality Assurance Services
Attleboro Public Schools Mid-Cycle Report – June 18, 2013 04:52:01 PM
Page 8 of 8