The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Education
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
July 15, 2005
Dr. Denise M. Walsh
Superintendent
Cohasset Public Schools
143 Pond Street
Cohasset, MA 02025
T
Re:
Onsite Follow-up Monitoring Report: Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action
Plan Verification and Special Education Mid-cycle Review
Dear Superintendent Walsh:
Enclosed is the Department's Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Monitoring Report together
with findings regarding your district’s Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Review. This report
contains the Department's findings based on the onsite activities conducted in your school district to
verify the implementation status and effectiveness of corrective steps taken in response to your
Coordinated Program Review Report issued on October 23, 2001.
We are pleased to indicate that the Department of Education has found your district’s approved
Corrective Action Plan to be substantially implemented and effective in remedying previously
identified noncompliance issues in the areas of SE 50, SE 56, MOA 6, MOA 9, MOA 12A, MOA
13, MOA 14, MOA 15, MOA 16, MOA 21, MOA 24, MOA 25, and ELE 1-18. The findings of the
Department are included in the attached Follow-up Monitoring Report. You and your entire staff
are to be congratulated for your efforts in implementing all necessary improvements.
The Department will notify you of your district's next regularly scheduled Coordinated Program
Review several months before it is to occur. At this time we anticipate the Department's next
routine monitoring visit to occur sometime during the 2007 school year, unless the Department
determines that there is some reason to schedule this visit earlier.
While the Department of Education found certain noncompliance issues to be resolved, new issues
were identified by the Department’s onsite team.
As the Department previously informed you, in cases where a district fails to fully and effectively
implement a Corrective Action Plan, which was proposed by your district and approved by the
Department, the Department must then prepare a Corrective Action Plan for the district, which must
be implemented without further delay. You will find these requirements for corrective action and
further progress reporting included in the attached report together with any steps that must be taken
by the district to fully implement new special education requirements. Please provide the
Department with your written assurance that the Department's requirements for corrective action
will be implemented by your school district within the timelines specified. Your statement of
assurance must be submitted to the Department's Onsite Chairperson by August 1, 2005.
Your staff's cooperation throughout these Follow-up Monitoring activities is appreciated. Should
you require additional clarification of information included in our report, please do not hesitate to
contact the Onsite Team Chairperson at 781-338-3741.
Sincerely,
Jane L. Ewing, Ed.D.
Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
John D. Stager, Administrator
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Jamie Williams, School Committee Chairperson
Linda Gill, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Encl.: Follow-up Monitoring Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
COHASSET PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Action Plan Submitted on December 9, 2001
Progress Reports Submitted on July 15, 2002; May 2003; October 15, 2003; March 12, 2004; and May 19, 2004
Onsite Visit Conducted on May 25, 2005
Date of this Report: July 15, 2005
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Special
Education
Requirements
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
U
U

Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U

Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 3
Special
requirements
for
determination
of specific
learning
disabilities
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


Statutory
requirements for
the
determination of
specific learning
disabilities have
been revised
under the
recently
reauthorized
IDEA 2004.
Therefore, until
final
implementing
regulations have
been adopted,
the Department
is not making
findings related
to school district
practices under
Coordinated
Program Review
Criterion SE 3.
For districts
seeking to
2
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


resolve a
previous finding
in this area, the
Department will
extend the date
required for final
actions on the
part of the
school district to
June 2006 and
will consider
resolution at any
time following
promulgation of
final federal
regulations.
3
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 6
Determination
of transition
services
(Emphasis on
practices in
determining
needed
transition
planning and
services and
consideration
of courses of
study related
to needed
transition)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U

Substantially
implemented

Student record
review
Student files
contain
transition
planning
worksheets; IEPs
demonstrate that
the district meets
required
elements of
transitional
planning by
seeking student
input on future
goals, interests,
and courses
necessary to
meet those goals.
Services are
provided to meet
a range of
student
transitional
needs, including
determining
whether the
student will
4
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


require
continued
services from
adult human
service agencies.
5
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 9
Eligibility
determination:
Timelines for
evaluation,
provision of
IEP, and/or
notification of
other needed
instructional
programs
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
U
U
U
U
U

Partially
implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

Student record
review
Partially
implemented
Student records demonstrated
that in most cases, the N1
narrative was insufficiently
developed and failed to
comprehensively answer the 6
guiding questions. Many
narratives were not reflective
of the individual student’s
needs.
IEPs are not always provided
to the parent immediately
following the development of
the IEP at the Team meeting.
Pleas provide training for
appropriate staff on completion
of the narrative portions of N1s
and N2s and provide the agenda
and attendance sheet to the
Department by October 31,
2005.
Please provide a random sample
of 4 N1 forms each for the
district’s elementary, middle, and
high schools (12 in total) to the
Department by October 31,
2005.
Additionally, please develop a
tracking system by school that
tracks key dates in the IEP
process, e.g., for initials and reevaluations, the date of receipt of
the signed consent form, the date
assessments were completed, the
date of the Team meeting, and
the date of the N1/IEP’s or N2’s
issuance. For annual reviews,
appropriate dates to track would
include the date of the prior
6
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
U
U
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
U
U
U


IEP’s expiration, the date of the
team meeting, and the date of the
Team meeting, re-evaluation
proposals (N3) and N1 or N2
issuance. Please provide a
description and a sample copy of
the formats developed by the
district for tracking timelines by
October 31, 2005.
Please provide a sample of
completed tracking forms by
January 9, 2006.
7
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Progress reports do not provide
adequate detail on the extent to
which students are making
progress toward IEP goals.
Please provide training for
appropriate staff on this
requirement and provide the
agenda and attendance sheet to
the Department by October 31,
2005.
U
U
U
U
U

Partially
implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

Student record
review
Partially
implemented
Please provide a random sample
of 4 progress reports each for the
district’s elementary, middle, and
high schools (12 in total) to the
Department by October 31,
2005.
SE 15
Outreach by
the School
District (Child
Find)
Substantially
implemented
Interviews
The district has
annual or more
frequent
outreach to
community
groups, schools
and
professionals
from which
promotion or
transfer of
8
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


students in need
of special
education may
be expected.
9
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
U
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
U
U
U
U


Substantially
implemented
Student record
review
IEP Teams
develop wellwritten, detailed
IEPs with
appropriate
content.
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
immediate
provision of
IEP to parent
Partially
implemented
Interviews
IEP Teams
determine the
appropriate
placement to
deliver the
services on
student IEPs.
Placement
selected by the
Team is in the
least restrictive
environment
consistent with
the needs of the
student.
Student record
review
Substantially
implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
U
SE 18A
IEP
development
and content
SE 20
Least
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Student record
review
Partially
implemented
IEPs are not always provided
to the parent immediately
following the development of
the IEP at the Team meeting.
Upon leaving the meeting, the
parent or guardian should be
provided with a summary of
the main points of the Team
meeting, a copy of the service
delivery grid, and the IEP
goals.
IEP Teams select
the least
10
Provide training for Team
Chairpersons on this requirement
and provide the agenda and
attendance sheet to the
Department by October 31,
2005.
See progress report requirements
on developing a tracking system
for SE 9.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
restrictive
program
selected
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


Interviews
restrictive
environment for
students and
explain why the
removal is
considered
critical to the
student’s
program and the
basis for its
conclusion that
education of the
student in a less
restrictive
environment,
with the use of
supplementary
aids and
services, could
not be achieved
satisfactorily.
11
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


SE 22
IEP
implementatio
n and
availability
(Emphasis on
provision of
IEP services
without delay;
provision of
the IEP at the
beginning of
the school
year; and,
alternative
methods of
service
delivery where
there is a lack
of space
and/or
personnel))
Substantially
implemented
Interviews
The school
district has an
IEP in effect for
eligible students
at the beginning
of each school
year and begins
IEP services
without delay
once the
student’s parents
have accepted
the IEP.
SE 26
Parent
participation in
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
The district
ensures that
parents are part
12
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
meetings
(Emphasis on
district’s
attempts to
ensure parent
participation
at IEP Team
meetings)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


Interviews
of IEP Teams. If
a parent cannot
attend, the
district uses
other methods to
ensure parent
participation.
13
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 28
Parent
provided the
IEP or notice
of no
eligibility
together with
notification of
procedural
safeguards and
parents' rights
SE 29
Communicatio
ns are in
English and
primary
language of
home
SE 32
Parent
advisory
council for
special
education
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
U
U
U
U
U

Partially
implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

Student record
review
Partially
implemented
Interviews
Substantially
implemented
Interviews
Substantially
implemented
Interviews
Communications
with parents are
in English and
the primary
language of the
home.
The district has
established a
parent advisory
council (PAC).
Membership is
offered to all
parents of
children with
disabilities and
14
See SE 18B
See SE 18B
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


other interested
parties. The
PAC has by-laws
and receives
assistance from
the school
committee
without charge.
The district
conducts, in
cooperation with
the PAC, at least
one workshop
annually.
15
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U

SE 50
Responsibilitie
s of the School
Principal and
Administrator
of Special
Education
Substantially
implemented
SE 54
Professional
development
regarding
special
education
Substantially
implemented

Documentatio
n
Interviews
Documentatio
n
Interviews
School
principals and
the
Administrator of
Special
Education fulfill
the
responsibilities
set forth in
M.G.L. ch. 71 §
38Q and § 38Q
½ and 603 CMR
28.03(3).
The district
considers the
needs of all staff
in developing
training
opportunities
and provides a
variety of
offerings, which
include the
required topics.
16
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 56
Special
education
programs and
services are
evaluated
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U

Substantially
implemented

Documentatio
n
Interviews
Special
education
programs,
services and
administrative
areas are
regularly
evaluated.
Other
Requirements
MOA 6
Availability of
in-school
programs for
pregnant
students
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Interviews
School district
policy are
consistent with
Title IX: 20 USC
1681 and 34
CFR 106.40(b).
17
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
MOA 9
Hiring and
employment
practices of
prospective
employees of
students
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
However, the district did not
provide an appropriate
statement of assurance for
prospective employees to sign.
Please provide a statement of
assurance that the employer
complies with applicable federal
and state laws prohibiting
discrimination in hiring or
employment practices for
prospective employers of district
students to sign by October 31,
2005.
U
U
U
U
U

Partially
implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

Documentatio
n
Interviews
District
documentation
included copies
of student
employment
opportunities.
Partially
implemented
This criterion applies to all
prospective employers, including
those participating in career days,
work study, apprentice training
programs, and cooperative work
experience.
MOA 12A
Annual and
continuous
notification
concerning
nondiscrimination
and
coordinators
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Interviews
The district takes
continuing steps
to notify
applicants,
students, parents,
and employees
that it does not
discrimination
on the basis of
18
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
The district’s description of
information dissemination for
ELE students does not meet the
standard for MOA 13, as it
required multiple parties to
determine student’s level of
fluency embedded in the
process for accessing materials.
Please revise the district’s policy
for providing ELE students
access to counseling materials
and activities and submit this
revision to the Department by
October 31, 2005.
U
U
U
U
U


race, color,
national origin,
sex, or disability.
Student
handbooks,
school
newspapers, job
announcements,
employment
applications and
other media
examples were
provided as
documentation.
MOA 13
Availability of
information
and counseling
on general
curricular and
occupational/
Vocational
opportunities
Partially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Interviews
Materials
provided by the
district included
course selection
booklets, college
counseling
materials, testing
materials,
vocationaltechnical
materials and a
description of
Partially
implemented
19
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
U
U
U
U
U


the procedure for
introducing 8 th
graders to South
Shore
Vocational
Technical High
School as an
option; these
materials meet
the standards set
out by this
criterion.
P
MOA 14
Counseling
and counseling
materials free
from bias and
stereotypes
Partially
implemented
MOA 15
Nondiscriminatory
administration
of
scholarships,
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
P
See MOA 13
Partially
implemented
Interviews
Documentatio
n
Interviews
The district
makes its listings
of scholarships,
prizes, and
awards available
to all students.
20
See MOA 13.
See MOA 13.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
While the district has an
updated, written policy on
physical restraints, and schoolwide resource people have
been identified at each school,
written information on physical
restraints has not been
provided to staff or parents this
year.
Please provide 1) Evidence of
how the district’s restraint
policies and procedures have
been distributed to parents; 2)
evidence that training on the
district’s policies and procedures
on the use of restraint has been
provided to all district staff for
the 2005-2006 SY to the
Department by October 31,
U
U
U
U
U


prizes and
awards
MOA 16
Notice to
students over
16 or over
leaving school
without a high
school diploma
Substantially
implemented
MOA 17A
Use of
physical
restraint
Partially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Interviews
Interviews
District’s
standard notice
contains
appropriate
elements and
provides copies
to both student
and parents.
Description of
meeting process
adequately meets
standard set forth
in MOA 16.
Partially
implemented
21
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
U
U
U
U
U


Training on the district’s policy
and procedures regarding
physical restraint ( not training
for certification) must be
provided annually to all staff
members within the first month
of each school year, and within
one month of hire for
employees hired after
September.
U
MOA 21
Staff training
regarding civil
rights
responsibilities
Substantially
implemented
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Documentatio
n
Interviews
The district
provided
attendance
sheets and
materials
demonstrating
ongoing staff
training in civil
rights for the
2004-2005
school year.
22
U
2005.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
MOA 22
Accessibility
of district
programs and
services for
students with
disabilities
MOA 24
Curriculum
review
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
The front entrance doors may
be difficult for a wheelchairbound person to open, as the
door would have to be pulled
forward a considerable
distance to permit a wheelchair
through. Pulling open both
doors proved equally difficult,
as the doors were fairly heavy.
Finally, the door handles were
hooked and must be pushed up
to open.
The district will describe actions
taken to ensure full compliance
with Section 504: 29 USC 794,
to be submitted to the
Department by October 31,
2005.
U
U
U

Substantially
implemented
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
U
U
Partially
implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

On-site visit
Documentatio
n
Interviews
With the
exception of the
front door, Deer
Hill Elementary
School is
entirely
accessible for
students with
disabilities.
Partially
implemented
The district has
developed a
process and
several
instruments to
ensure that
teachers
regularly review
educational
materials for
23
For guidance, please refer to
www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/c
pr /instrument/civilrights.pdf ,
page 6 of the document entitled
The ADA Checklist for Readily
Achievable Barrier Removal
(August 1995).
HTU
UTH
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
U
U
U
U
U


possible bias and
stereotypes.
MOA 25
Institutional
self-evaluation
Partially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Interviews
ELE 1
Annual
Assessment
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Interviews
The district
included copies
of its staff
surveys on
special education
and civil rights.
According to
interviews,
parents were also
surveyed about
civil rights.
Partially
implemented
According to interviews, the
district hired an independent
evaluator to assess its K-12
programs.
While surveying staff members
and parents is an important part
of such a process, the scope of
the self-evaluation and whether
it is conducted yearly is not
clear. Once the information is
collected, what process will be
used to disseminate results?
Who is responsible for
development of an annual
report?
District plan for
annually
assessing LEP
students
included
appropriate
testing schedule,
24
Please provide a description of
how the district annually assesses
its K-12 programs to ensure that
all students have equal access to
all programs, including athletics
and other extracurricular
activities. Please include details
of the process of the annual
report’s development, its
dissemination, and what
individuals are responsible for
these tasks. Please submit this
description to the Department by
October 31, 2005.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


credentials for a
district certified
MELA-O rater,
and assessment
instruments.
ELE 2
MCAS
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
District policy
contains the
assurance that all
LEP students
will take the
MCAS;
appropriate
accommodations
are listed.
ELE 3
Initial
Identification
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Appropriate
policy for
identifying LEP
students has
been fully
developed, along
with scoring and
placement
criteria. The
district’s
identification
Interviews
25
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


process included
providing the
Home Language
Survey to all
incoming
families to the
district. Home
Language
Surveys in
Russian, Creole,
Arabic, and
Spanish were
attached.
U
ELE 4
Waiver
Procedures
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
U
Appropriately
articulated
policy and
waivers for
children under
and over 10 were
submitted.
26
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
ELE 5
Program
Placement and
Structure
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
At this point, the professional
development opportunities
seem voluntary. The district
should continue to make staff
and administrators aware of
opportunities for professional
development, training and
coursework on ELE available
through both district and
external sources. Please see
guidance on DOE
opportunities for ELE
professional development at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/s
ei/pd.html .
The district should be tracking
which teaching and
administrative personnel are
participating not only in the
district PD offerings, but in
coursework and training taken
elsewhere with regard to ELE.
Please develop a means by which
to track which teachers and
administrators have participated
in ELE professional development
opportunities, training and
coursework for future
compliance activities. Please
submit a description to the
Department by October 31,
2005.
U
U
U
U
U
U

Partially
implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

Documentatio
n
Interviews
Development of
SEI programs is
ongoing, as the
district does not
currently enroll
any ELE
students.
Partially
implemented
.
The district’s
Director of
Student Services
has provided
detailed
information on
DOE
professional
development in
SEI and reading
materials to all
staff.
HTU
UTH
District
administrators
have been
notified of the
upcoming
27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


requirements for
appropriately
credentialed
staff.
ELE 6
Program Exit
and Readiness
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
A strategy for
exiting LEP
students and
monitoring
FLEP students
28
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Although the district’s
submitted policy is thorough, it
does not contain a provision
for addressing an opted-out
Please revise and submit district
policy by adding procedures to
address providing supports to an
“opted-out” student’s given
U
U
U
U
U


has been fully
articulated.
ELE 7
Parent
Involvement
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
The district has
developed a list
of means by
which to involve
parents of LEP
students in their
children’s
education.
The district has
made a
commitment to
translate
materials as
appropriate to
include parents
in the life of the
school
community.
ELE 8
Declining
Entry to a
Program
Partially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Partially
implemented
29
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
student’s academic and
language needs should that
student fail to make progress in
a regular classroom setting
consistent with the
requirements of Title VI.
evidence that he or she is failing
to make progress, to the
Department by October 31,
2005.
U
U
U
U
U


ELE 9
Instructional
Grouping
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
District policy
mirrors
regulations.
There are
currently no LEP
students enrolled
in CPS.
ELE 10
Parental
Notification
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Parent
notification letter
contains all
elements
identified by
ELE 10.
Additionally, the
district has made
a commitment to
providing
progress reports
30
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
The district did not provide a
description of how access to
nonacademic programs and
extracurricular activities would
be implemented. More
specifically, how would the
district make activity
announcements available to
Please provide a plan that
describes how access to
nonacademic and extracurricular
activities would be provided to
LEP students, and specifically,
how would announcements about
activities be made available to
LEP students and their families.
U
U
U
U
U


and report cards
to parents in the
same manner
and as frequently
as general
education
reporting and
written in
understandable
language.
ELE 11
Equal Access
to Academic
Programs and
Services
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
The district
provided policy
that is fully
compliant with
standards
outlined in ELE
11.
ELE 12
Equal Access
to
Nonacademic
and
Extracurricular
Programs
Partially
implemented
Documentatio
n
The district
submitted an
assurance that all
LEP students
would have
equal access to
nonacademic
programs and
Partially
implemented
31
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
U
U
U
U
U


extracurricular
activities and
provided a
listing of such
programs and
activities.
ELE 13
Follow-Up
Support
Partially
Implemented
Documentatio
n
ELE 14
Licensure and
Fluency
Requirements
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
Partially
implemented
The district
policy requires
that teachers
possess
appropriate
credentials and
meet fluency
requirements.
Further,
opportunities to
observe both
professional and
non-professional
32
LEP students and their
families?
Please provide this plan by
October 31, 2005.
The district’s submitted policy
fails to identify who would
provide follow-up for a FLEP
student and what the “language
support services” might be.
Please provide an appropriately
detailed follow-up process for
students who have exited an
English learner education
program to the Department by
October 31, 2005.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
U
U
U
U
U


staff are in place.
Additionally, the
district
submitted
certification data
on all district
staff.
ELE 15
Professional
Development
Requirements
Partially
implemented
Documentatio
n
See ELE 5.
ELE 16
Equitable
Facilities
Substantially
implemented
Documentatio
n
District policy
assures that all
students are
provided
facilities that are
equitable to
those provided to
the overall
population of
students.
ELE 17
See ELE 5.
There are
33
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substan-tially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments
Regarding
Corrective
Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
U
U
U
U
U
U


DOE Data
Submission
Requirements
and Program
Evaluation
currently no LEP
students enrolled
in CPS at this
time.
ELE 18
Records of
LEP students
There are
currently no LEP
students enrolled
in CPS at this
time.
34
Findings Regarding
Incomplete Implementation
of Approved Corrective
Action Plan or Identification
of Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting