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
April 12, 2011
Richard Gross
Superintendent of Schools
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
940 County Street
Taunton, MA 02780
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Gross:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the onsite visit conducted in your district in January 2011. During the MidCycle 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 April 28, 2011.
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 Nancy
Hicks at 781-338-3714.
Sincerely,
Nancy Hicks, 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
Louis Borges, School Committee Chairperson
Amy Carpenter, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
Date of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: January 19, 2011
Date of this Report: April 12, 2011
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 at age
of majority
and student
participation
and consent
at the age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
PI
Student
records
Interviews
Documentation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
One year prior to the student
reaching age 18, the district
informs the student and the
parent/guardian of the rights that
will transfer from the
parent/guardian to the student
upon the student’s 18th birthday.
This is documented under the
Additional Information section in
the IEP.
When the student reaches age 18,
in the absence of any court actions
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 1 of 9
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Develop appropriate procedures to
document the student’s decision to
share or delegate decision-making.
Train high school IEP Team
chairpersons on these procedures.
Develop an internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure that the
age of majority decision to share
decision-making is made in the
presence of the Team. If the
student’s decision is to delegate
decision-making to his or her parent
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Provide an
agenda, signed
attendance
sheets
(indicating role
of staff) and
training
materials for
staff training
on the
requirements
for
documenting
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
to the contrary, the IEP Team
chairperson meets with the student
to determine if the student wishes
to delegate or share decisionmaking. This procedure, however,
does not allow the decision to
share decision-making to be made
in the presence of the Team, as
required. If the student’s decision
is to continue to delegate decisionmaking to his or her parent or
other willing adult, the decision is
made in the presence of at least
one representative of the school,
but is not witnessed by another
adult, as required.
Please also note that the meeting
with the Team chairperson is not
necessary as the transfer of
parental rights is automatic upon
the student reaching age 18. The
student may then decide, at a
subsequent Team meeting, to
share or delegate decision-making
authority and that decision may be
documented at that time.
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 2 of 9
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
or other willing adult, the decision is
witnessed by a district
representative and another adult.
Develop a report of the results of an
internal review of student records
for appropriate documentation of
the age of majority decision that
took place subsequent to the training
and implementation of the tracking
system.
*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).
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
the decision to
delegate or
share decisionmaking. Also
submit the
description of
the internal
oversight and
tracking
system. Submit
this
information by
May 26, 2011.
Submit a report
of the internal
review of
records of
students who
have turned 18
years of age
since the
training and
implementation
of the tracking
system. Include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records that
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
included
appropriate
documentation when
the student
elected to
share or
delegate
decisionmaking;
 Description
of the root
causes for
any noncompliance
found; and
 Specific
actions taken
by the
district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this
report by
November 1,
2011.
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Documentation

Interview
The district does not have any
students enrolled at this time who
require the services of an
educational interpreter for the deaf
and hard of hearing. The district
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 3 of 9
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
has procedures in place that
indicate that an employee acting in
this capacity would be registered
with the Massachusetts
Commission for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing, as required.
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 4 of 9
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(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 6
Determination
of transition
services
SE 9A
Elements of
eligibility
determination;
general
education
accommodations
and services for
ineligible
students
SE 13
Progress reports
and content
SE 14
Review and
revision of IEPs
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
records
The Transition Planning Form is
completed for students at age 14.
The vision statement includes
student input, addresses adult
living, and the IEP supports the
student’s vision.
Students who are identified as
having a disability but are not
found eligible for special
education are referred to the
guidance counselor to be
considered for eligibility for a
Section 504 Accommodation
Plan, as appropriate.
Interviews

Student
records
Interviews

Student
records

Student
records
Progress reports address the
student’s progress towards
reaching the goals set forth in
the IEP.
Annual reviews take place on or
before the anniversary date of
the IEP.
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 5 of 9
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 18A
IEP
development
and content
SE 22
IEP
implementation
and availability
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion

Student
records

Student
records
IEPs address all required
elements, and information is
included under the Additional
Information section, as
appropriate. Present Levels of
Educational Performance
(PLEP) A contains specific
information on how the
disability affects access to the
general curriculum, and the
PLEP B section of the IEP is
specific to the student’s needs.
When an eligible student is
assigned to a class that is taught
by a regular education teacher
and a paraprofessional, the goals
on the student’s IEP are
addressed by the
paraprofessional. The
paraprofessional meets weekly
with the special education
teacher who modifies the
curriculum and designs
instruction. Within the
classroom the paraprofessional
is supervised by the licensed
general education teacher as IEP
goals are addressed.
The district has established a
parent advisory council for
special education, which meets
Interview

Interview
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 6 of 9
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
special
education
SE 34
Continuum of
alternative
services and
placements
SE 36
IEP
implementation,
accountability
and financial
responsibility
SE 45
Procedures for
suspension up to
10 days and
after 10 days:
General
requirements
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities when
suspensions
exceed 10
consecutive
school days or a
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
records
five times a year and has elected
officers.
Students’ goals are being
addressed when a student is in a
class taught by a general
education teacher and a
paraprofessional. See SE 22.
Interview

Student
records
See SE 22 and SE 34.
Interviews
Documentation
The information in student
handbooks regarding the
discipline of students with
disabilities has been updated and
is complete.
Documentation
The information in student
handbooks regarding the
discipline of students with
disabilities has been updated and
is complete.


Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 7 of 9
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
pattern has
developed for
suspensions
exceeding 10
cumulative
days;
responsibilities
of the Team;
responsibilities
of the district
SE 47
Procedural
requirements
applied to
students not yet
determined to
be eligible for
special
education
SE 48
FAPE
SE 51
Appropriate
special
education
teacher
licensure
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Documentation
Documentation


Documentation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student handbooks contain
appropriate procedural
requirements for disciplining
students not yet determined
eligible for special education.
Student schedules indicate that
students who receive reading
services are also able to take
physical education.
All teachers of special education
are appropriately licensed.
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 8 of 9
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 55
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms
SE 56
Special
education
programs and
services are
evaluated
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Observation
Interview

Documentation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Related service providers have
designated assigned spaces to
provide services. Spaces for
special education services are
given the same priority as the
spaces allocated for general
education programs.
Special education programs and
services are regularly evaluated.
Interview
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
April 12, 2011
Page 9 of 9
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Bristol-Plymouth Regional 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