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 June 29, 2011 Craig L. Jurgensen Superintendent Chesterfield-Goshen Public Schools 19 Stage Road Westhampton, MA 01027 Re: Mid-cycle Report Dear Superintendent Jurgensen: Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based on the onsite visit conducted in your district on May, 23, 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 July 19, 2011. 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 Marc 1 Oldenburg at 413-858-4591 x6. Sincerely, Marc Oldenburg, 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 D. Beth Lopez, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services Todd Haskell, School Committee Chairperson Laurie Farkus, Local Program Review Coordinator Encs: Mid-cycle Report Mid-cycle Progress Report Form 2 MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION MID-CYCLE REPORT Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 23, 2011 Date of this Report: June 29, 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 Not Applicable 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 Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District provides services to students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and does not provide services to students who are approaching the age of 18. Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 1 of 11 (b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and Required Elements Criterion SE 52A Registration of educational interpreters Criterion Implemented Criterion Partially Implemented (PI) or Not Implemented (NI) Method(s) of Investigation Document review and staff interview Basis of Determination about Criterion If Partially Implemented or Not Implemented: (a) Required Corrective Action and Timelines for Implementation Document review and staff interview indicated that there are no students enrolled in the district that are in need of interpreters at this time. The district does have a procedure in place if a need for educational interpreters arises. Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 2 of 11 (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 Criterion Implemented Method(s) of Investigation Basis of Determination about Criterion Student record review and staff interview Student record review and staff interview indicated that all required and optional assessments contained the necessary elements including information on the history of the student’s progress in the general curriculum. Student record review and staff interview Student record review and staff interview indicated that the district is appropriately evaluating students suspected of having a specific learning disability (SLD). Written documentation Required and optional Assessments SE 3 Special requirements for determination of Specific Learning Disability Criterion Partially Implemented (PI) or Not Implemented (NI) If Partially Implemented or Not Implemented: (a) Required Corrective Action and Timelines for Implementation Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 3 of 11 (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 was found in the file of each student suspected of having SLD, including all current recommended SLD forms and the mandated Team Determination of Eligibility Form with the signature of each IEP Team member. SE 8 IEP Team composition and attendance PI Student record review and staff interview Record review and staff interview indicated that not all members of the Team that are represented on the Team Meeting Notice actually attend the Team meeting and no signed excusal forms were found. The district must review and revise its current procedures for IEP Team composition and attendance. The district must provide appropriate staff with training in regards to the excusal of required Team members at an IEP meeting. The procedures must address when 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 Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 4 of 11 By October 14, 2011: Provide a description of the newly developed procedures for IEP Team composition and attendance. Submit evidence of training to include an agenda and signed attendance sheets indicating 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 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. The district must conduct internal monitoring of student records for those Team meetings conducted subsequent to the training to determine that the district is consistently following appropriate procedures regarding the excusal of Team members. * Please note when conducting internal monitoring that the 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). Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 5 of 11 (b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and Required Elements the title and role of staff. By January 13, 2012: Please submit the results of an administrative review of student records. Indicate: 1) The number of records reviewed; 2) The number of student records in compliance; 3) For all records not in compliance with this criterion, determine the root cause(s) of the noncompliance and 4) A description of the district’s plan to remedy the non- 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. SE 12 Student record review Student record review demonstrated that three-year reevaluations are completed within the required timeline. Student record review and staff interview Student record review and staff interview indicated that the IEP is consistently provided to parents immediately following the Team meeting. Staff interview and document review Staff interview and document review indicated that while the district does not currently have any students who are in need of translation services, the district does have resources and a procedure in place if this need Frequency of reevaluation SE 18B Determination of placement; provision of IEP to parent SE 29 Communications are in English and primary language of home Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 6 of 11 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 arises. SE 32 Parent advisory council for special education PI Staff interview and document review Staff interview and document review indicated that while the district has made, and documented, ongoing efforts to encourage the establishment of a functioning PAC, including providing an annual workshop within the district on the rights of students and their parents and guardians under the state and federal special education laws along with other opportunities for parents, there are no officers or bylaws in place at this time. The district must develop strategies to encourage the formation of a PAC. Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 7 of 11 By October 14, 2011: Provide a description of the newly developed strategies for encouraging the establishment of a PAC. By January 13, 2012: Provide a description of the results of the district’s efforts to establish a PAC. Include copies of: The PAC officer list; The PAC bylaws; School Committee 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 agendas and minutes pertaining to consultation with the PAC; Agendas of PAC training sessions or meetings conducted by the district and documentation of other district efforts to support the PAC. SE 36 Student record review and staff interview Student record review and staff interview indicated that the district oversees the full implementation of all IEPs. Staff interview and document review Staff interview and review of documentation indicated that there are no instructional groups that exceed the required number of IEP implementation, accountability and financial responsibility SE 40 Instructional grouping requirements for students aged five Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 8 of 11 Criterion Criterion Implemented Criterion Partially Implemented (PI) or Not Implemented (NI) Method(s) of Investigation Staff interview and document review Staff interview and review of documentation indicated that all age span requirements are within specified limits. Staff interview and document review Staff interview and review of documentation indicated that the district has had no suspensions this academic year. The district has procedures in place to record the number and duration of suspensions for all students. Staff interview and document review Staff interview and documentation revealed that all special education staff are appropriately certified. Age span requirements SE 44 Procedure for recording suspensions SE 51 Appropriate special education teacher If Partially Implemented or Not Implemented: (a) Required Corrective Action and Timelines for Implementation students. and older SE 41 Basis of Determination about Criterion Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 9 of 11 (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 Staff interview and document review Staff interview and documentation revealed that OT, PT, Speech and Language, and the School Psychologist are all appropriately licensed. The School Adjustment Counselor is operating under a current waiver and expects to be licensed within the remainder of this academic year. Staff interview and observation A tour of the elementary school and a review of floor plans indicated that special education in the district is provided in classrooms and facilities that maximize the inclusion of such students into the life of the school; provide accessibility in order to If Partially Implemented or Not Implemented: (a) Required Corrective Action and Timelines for Implementation licensure SE 52 Appropriate certifications/licenses or other credentials - related service provider SE 55 Special education facilities and classrooms Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 10 of 11 (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 fully implement each student’s IEP; are at least equal in all physical respects to the average standards of general facilities and classrooms; and are given the same priority in the allocation of instructional and other space in order to minimize the separation or stigmatization of eligible students. SE 56 Special education programs and services are evaluated Staff interview and document review Staff interview and documentation indicated that the district is taking appropriate action to ensure that special education programs and services are regularly evaluated. Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report June 29, 2011 Page 11 of 11 (b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and Required Elements MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION MID-CYCLE REVIEW School District: Chesterfield-Goshen Public School District 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