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
January 20, 2012
James Quaglia, Superintendent
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School
800 Randolph Street
Canton, MA 02021
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Quaglia:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district in December 2011. 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 February 6, 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 Coretta McCarter at 781338-3733.
Sincerely,
Coretta McCarter, 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
Vani Rastogi-Kelly, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Joseph A. Pascarella, School Committee Chairperson
Deborah Corvini, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School
Date of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: December 20, 2011
Date of this Report: January 20, 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
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
Student
Records
One year prior to a
student reaching age
18, the district is not
informing the
student and
parent/guardian of
the rights that will
transfer from the
parent/guardian to
the student upon the
student’s 18th
PI
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Develop procedures for notifying the student
and parent/guardian, one year prior to the
student reaching age 18, of the rights that will
transfer from the parent/guardian to the
student. The notification must state that all
rights accorded to parents under special
education law will transfer to the 18 year old
student. Train appropriate staff on these
procedures. See Administrative Advisory
SPED 2011-1 on the Age of Majority
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/advisories/11_
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 1 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Submit a copy of
the procedures and
evidence of staff
training, including
an agenda and
signed attendance
sheets (indicating
role of staff).
Submit the
description of the
internal oversight
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
birthday.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
1.html.
Develop an internal oversight and tracking
system to ensure that the district is following
appropriate procedures for the transfer of
parental rights requirements. The tracking
system should include supervisory oversight
and periodic reviews to ensure compliance.
Develop a report of the results of an internal
review of student records, for those students
who have turned 17 since implementation of
all of the district’s corrective actions, for
evidence of compliance with the transfer of
rights requirements.
*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 records reviewed; b) Date of the
review; c) Name of person(s) who
conducted the review, with their role(s) and
signature(s).
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 2 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
and tracking
system, identifying
the person(s)
responsible for the
oversight. Submit
this information by
April 9, 2012.
Submit a report of
the results of an
internal review of
records and include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records in
which
appropriate
procedures
were followed
for the transfer
of parental
rights
requirements;
 Results of the
root cause
analysis of any
records not in
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigation
Student
Records
PI
Interviews
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and
attendance
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
Not all required
Team members are
consistently present
at the IEP Team
meeting, including
the student’s general
education teacher (if
the student is
involved in a general
education program)
and the special
education
teacher/special
education service
provider. When a
required member of
the Team does not
attend the IEP Team
meeting, the district
is not following
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Develop procedures for ensuring the
participation of the student’s general education
teacher, if the student is involved in a general
education program, and special education
teacher or, if appropriate, special education
provider of the student. Also develop
appropriate procedures for excusing a required
Team member from the IEP Team meeting.
These procedures must indicate that to excuse
a required Team member:
1. The parent and district must 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
2. The district and parent agree, in
writing, to excuse a required Team
member’s participation and the
excused member provides written
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 3 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
compliance;
and
 Specific actions
taken by the
district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this report
by June 22, 2012.
Provide a copy of
the procedures and
evidence of staff
training, including
an agenda and
signed attendance
sheets (indicating
role of staff).
Submit a
description of the
oversight and
tracking system and
identify the
person(s)
responsible for the
oversight. Submit
this information by
April 9, 2012.
Submit a report of
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
appropriate
procedures to excuse
the required Team
member.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
input into the development of the IEP
to the parent and the IEP Team prior
to the meeting.
Train appropriate staff on these new
procedures.
Develop an internal oversight and tracking
system for ensuring the following:
1) The required Team members attend
the IEP Team meeting;
2) Appropriate excusal procedures are
followed if a required Team member
is unable to attend the IEP Team
meeting.
The tracking system should include
supervisory oversight and periodic reviews to
ensure ongoing compliance.
Develop a report of the results of an internal
review of student records in which Team
meetings were held since implementation of
all of the district’s corrective actions for
evidence of compliance with IEP Team
composition and attendance, as well as excusal
procedures.
*Please note when conducting internal
monitoring the district must maintain the
following documentation and make it
available to the Department upon request:
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 4 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
the results of an
internal review of
records and include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records in
which a general
education
teacher, special
education
teacher/special
education
provider
attended the
Team meeting,
as appropriate;
 Number of
records in
which
appropriate
excusal
procedures
were followed
when a required
Team member
did not attend
the IEP Team
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
a) List of student names and grade levels
for the records reviewed; b) Date of the
review; c) Name of person(s) who
conducted the review, with their role(s) and
signature(s).

Student
Records
Interview
SE 18A
IEP
development
and content
IEP Teams consider
and address 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
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 5 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
meeting;
 Results of the
root cause
analysis of any
records not in
compliance;
 Specific actions
taken by the
district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this report
by June 22, 2012.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigation
Student
Records

Interview
SE 25
Parental
consent
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
for students
identified with a
disability on the
autism spectrum.
When a parent
revokes consent, in
writing, to special
education services,
the district provides
written notice to the
parent of its proposal
to discontinue
services based on the
revocation of
consent, and also
provides information
on how the parent
can obtain a copy of
his/her right to
procedural
safeguards. The
district provides
notice a reasonable
time before it intends
to discontinue
services. Staff are
aware that they may
not use mediation or
request a due process
hearing to obtain
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 6 of 10
(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
agreement or a
ruling for
continuation of
services.
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 7 of 10
(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 20
Least
restrictive
program
selected
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
PI
Document
Review
Interview
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
IEP Non-participation
Justification Statements
consistently address why the
removal of the student is
considered critical to the
student’s program and the basis
for the Team’s conclusion that
education of the student in a less
restrictive environment, with the
use of supplementary aids and
services, could not be achieved
satisfactorily.
The program selected is not
always the least restrictive
environment for special education
students, as not all students have
opportunities to participate in
general education classes. Some
co-taught classes are presented as
general education classes in
inclusive settings on IEPs;
however, rosters show that these
classes are substantially separate
special education classes
consisting of all special education
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Review the class rosters for the
district’s general education cotaught inclusion classes and revise
the rosters for those classes that are
presented as general education cotaught inclusion classes, but include
all special education students.
Develop an internal oversight and
tracking system for ensuring that
general education co-taught
inclusion classes are not
substantially separate special
education classes and are indicated
as appropriate on the IEP service
delivery grid. The oversight and
tracking system should include
periodic reviews of IEPs and class
rosters by the director of special
education to ensure ongoing
compliance.
Subsequent to implementation of
the district’s corrective actions,
develop a report of the results of an
internal review of student records,
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 8 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Submit copies of
the revised class
rosters for the
general education
co-taught inclusion
classes. Submit a
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking system
and identify the
person(s)
responsible for the
oversight. Submit
this information by
April 9, 2012.
Submit a report of
the results of an
internal review of
records and include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records in
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
students.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
for students whose IEP service
delivery grids indicate participation
in general education classes in
inclusive settings, for evidence of
compliance with the least restrictive
environment.
See SE 20 above regarding the
co-taught inclusion classes.
See SE 20.
compliance
with the least
restrictive
program
selected;
 Results of the
root cause
analysis of any
records not in
compliance;
and
 Specific
corrective
actions taken by
the district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this report
by June 22, 2012.
See SE 20.
See SE 20 above regarding the
co-taught inclusion classes.
See SE 20.
See SE 20.
*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 records
reviewed; b) Date of the review;
c) Name of person(s) who
conducted the review, with their
role(s) and signature(s).
SE 22
IEP
implementation and
availability
Student
Records
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
PI
Document
Review
Interview
SE 34
Continuum of
Student
Records
PI
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 9 of 10
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

alternative
services and
placements
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
Document
Review
Interview
SE 48
Equal
opportunity to
participate in
educational,
nonacademic,
extracurricular and
ancillary
programs, as
well as
participation
in regular
education
Student
Records

Document
Review
Students requiring academic
supports, as indicated on IEP
service delivery grids, participate
in physical education classes and
electives.
Interview
Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical School Mid-cycle Review Report
January 20, 2012
Page 10 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical 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