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
February 26, 2010
Terrance Ingano, Superintendent
Clinton Public Schools
150 School Street
Clinton, MA 01510
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Ingano:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district on January 14, 2010. In this
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 the following activities: staff interviews,
review of student records, and examination of documentation.
The Department found one or more of the criteria monitored in your district to be
“Partially Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance
has been 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 March 12, 2010.
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 Betsy
Holcombe at 781-338-3717.
Sincerely,
Betsy Holcombe, Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
1
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
cc:
Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary
Education
Elizabeth Ahern, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Virginia West, School Committee Chairperson
Michele Brady, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Clinton Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: January 14, 2010
Date of this Report: February 26, 2010
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
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
All required SLD forms are
being used and are included in
student records and all
regulatory requirements for
this criterion are being met.

Documentation
Interviews
The district has provided
documentation and
demonstrated that all
educational interpreters are
registered as required.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
SE 3
Special
requirements
for the
determination
of specific
learning
disability
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 1 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 4
Reports of
Assessment
Results
SE 6
Determination
of Transition
Services
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
The review of
selected student
records indicates
that assessments
include
recommendations
about how to meet
the needs of the
student.
Documentation
provided
demonstrated that
the district meets
all of the
requirements
related to this
criterion.

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
The Team
documents the
student’s transition
needs annually
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 2 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
beginning no later
than age 14, and is
included in the
student’s record as
required.
SE 8
IEP Team
Composition
and Attendance
PI
Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
While the district’s
policy indicates
that the IEP Team
Chairperson has
the authority to
commit the
resources of the
district and the
designated Team
Chairperson is
leading the initial
and reevaluation
Team meetings, a
review of student
records
demonstrated that
there is no one
present at annual
Team meetings
who has been
designated with
the authority to
commit the
district’s
The district must have someone
present at all annual Team meetings
who have been designated with the
authority to commit the district’s
resources. The district will
revise/review their policy or
procedure on the attendance at all
Team meetings of a person with the
authority to commit the district’s
resources and distribute this
information to all relevant special
education staff members.
Further the district must conduct
internal monitoring of student
records to insure that all annual
Team Meetings include a team
member who is authorized to
commit district resources.
* Please note when conducting
internal monitoring that district
must maintain the following
documentation and make it
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 3 of 11
The district will
provide evidence
that they have
revised their
policy or
procedure on the
attendance at all
Team meetings of
a person with the
authority to
commit the
district’s
resources by
April 2, 2010.
Please also
include evidence
that the revised
information was
distributed to all
relevant special
education staff by
April 2, 2010.
Submit the
Criterion
SE 9
Timeline for
Determination
of Eligibility
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Documentation
Student Records
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
resources. Annual
team meetings are
not chaired by the
designated district
Team Chairperson.
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).
The forty-five
school working
days timeline for
determining
eligibility and
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 4 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
detailed narrative
results of an
administrative
review of student
records for
evidence that a
person with the
authority to
commit district
resources is
present at each
Team meeting for
the period of
April/May 2010.
Please indicate
the number of
records reviewed,
the number found
to be compliant
and any further
steps taken to
address area of
concern by June
15, 2010.
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
providing a
proposed IEP to
the parent is being
met by the district.
SE 9A
Elements of the
Eligibility
Determination
SE 10
End of School
Year
Evaluations

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
Documentation,
student records
and interviews
indicated that the
district has
implemented
procedures in full
compliance with
the elements of
this criterion.
There are adequate
remedial and
instructional
support services in
the general
curriculum for
students who are
not eligible for
special education
services.

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
The timelines for
conducting end of
school year
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 5 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
evaluations,
including holding
a Team meeting
with sufficient
time to allow the
provision of an
IEP or a written
notice to the
parent, are being
met.
SE 13
Progress
Reports
SE 14
Review and

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
Progress reports
are being written
to address all the
goals of the IEP,
and are included in
student records.
Documentation,
student records
and interviews
indicate that the
district has
implemented
procedures in full
compliance with
the elements of
this criterion.
Documentation
The annual
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 6 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Revisions of
IEPs
SE 18A
IEP
Development
and Content
Criterion
Implemented



Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
Interviews
Student Records
reviews are being
held on or before
the anniversary
date as required.
The district has
implemented
procedures that
ensure full
compliance with
this criterion.
Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
The IEP vision
statement indicates
individualized and
specific desired
outcomes for the
student. The
Nonparticipation
Justification
statement, for
students requiring
services outside of
the regular
education setting,
indicates what the
services are and
why it is necessary
to remove the
student from the
regular education
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 7 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
classroom.
Documentation,
student records
and interviews
indicate that the
district has
implemented
procedures in full
compliance with
the elements of
this criterion.
SE 18B
Determination
of Placement

SE 24
Notice To Parent
PI
Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
Documentation,
student records
and interviews
indicate that the
district has
implemented
procedures in full
compliance with
the elements of
this criterion.
Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
Interviews and
student records
demonstrated that
the district does
not always provide
As per 603 CMR 28.06 (2)(d)(2),
all IEP services must be
implemented and the district shall
immediately inform the parents in
writing of any delayed services, the
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 8 of 11
The district will
provide evidence
that they have a
plan in place to
address 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
written notice to
the parent when
there is a change
of service due to
staff resignation or
vacancy.
Specifically the
records showed
that while parents
received notice
that a related
service staff
member would be
on leave the
district did not
propose an
alternative means
for meeting IEP
goals and there
was no evidence
that compensatory
services were
offered for the
missed sessions.
reasons, the actions the district is
taking and methods to meet the
goals on the accepted IEP. The
district must put a plan in place and
offer an alternative means for
meeting IEP goals or offer
compensatory services for those
students who missed the related
services in the 2009-2010 school
year.
Further the district must conduct
internal monitoring of student
records to insure that all affected
students have been offered
compensatory services for the
related serviced missed during the
2009-2010 school year.
* 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).
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 9 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
missed related
services in the
2009-2010 school
year by April 2,
2010. Please also
include evidence
that the
compensatory
related services
were offer to
parents in writing
by April 2, 2010.
Criterion
SE 29
Communications
are in English
and the Primary
Language of
Home
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
The district’s
written
communication
with the parent is
not always in the
home language of
the parent, there is
no evidence that
the parent has
either requested
written
communication in
their native
language or
English and there
is no evidence that
the district
translates these
communications
orally. As per 603
CMR 28.07 (8)(b),
communications
shall be in both
English and the
primary language
of the home, if
such primary
language is other
than English.
The district must review their
policies and procedures related to
communication with parents whose
primary home language is not
English. The district will
revise/review their policy or
procedure on translation to ensure
compliance with this criterion and
then distribute this information to
all relevant special education staff
members.
Further the district must conduct
internal monitoring of student
records to insure that all annual
Team Meetings include a team
member who is authorized to
commit district resources.
* 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).
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 10 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
The district will
provide evidence
that they have
revised their
policy/procedure
on
communication
with parents
whose primary
home language is
not English, by
April 2, 2010.
Please also
include evidence
that the revised
information was
distributed to all
relevant special
education staff by
April 2, 2010.
Submit the
detailed narrative
results of an
administrative
review of student
records for
compliance
related to
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
communication
with parents
whose primary
home language is
not English for
the period of
April/May 2010.
Please indicate
the number of
records reviewed,
the number found
to be compliant
and any further
steps taken to
address area of
concern by June
15, 2010.
SE 36
IEP
Implementation

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
Documentation,
student records
and interviews
indicate that the
district has
implemented
procedures in full
compliance with
the elements of
this criterion.
Clinton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 26, 2010
Page 11 of 11
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Clinton Public Schools
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