Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4096
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
January 20, 2012
Joan M. Wickman
Superintendent
Union 28 Erving Public Schools
18 Pleasant Street
Erving, MA, 01344
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Wickman:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district in January, 2012. During the Mid-cycle Review the
Department monitored selected special education criteria to determine your district’s compliance
with special education laws and regulations. The review consisted of information gathered from
one or more of the following activities: staff interviews, review of student records, examination
of documentation, and/or classroom observation.
We are pleased to tell you that the Department has found your district to be in compliance with
all of the criteria monitored in your district during the Mid-cycle Review. The findings of the
Department are included in the enclosed report. You and your entire staff are to be congratulated
for your success in implementing the requirements included in these criteria.
The Department will notify you of your district's next regularly scheduled Coordinated Program
Review (CPR) several months before it is to occur. At this time we anticipate that this CPR will
occur sometime during the 2014-2015 school year unless the Department determines that there is
some reason to schedule this visit earlier.
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 Marc Oldenburg at 413314-6707.
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
Jean Jonker Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Jarod Boissonneault, School Committee Chairperson
Deborah Gerry, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Union 28 Erving Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: January 13, 2012
Date of this Report: January 20, 2012
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN TWO SECTIONS.
Required Special Education Criteria Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
Current special education criteria available by scrolling down to the special education instrument at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
SE 7
Transfer of
parental
rights and
student
participation
and consent
at age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
Records
Review of student records and
interviews indicated that the district
discusses the transfer of rights prior
to reaching the age of majority and
provides notice to the parent(s) and
students one year before the student
obtains the age of majority. Upon
reaching 18, the district procures
consent from students to continue
their special education program.
Interview
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Union 28 Erving Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 20, 2012
Page 1 of 3
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and
attendance
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
Records
Review of student records and
interviews indicated that all
required members of the Team are
present at Team meetings. Also, the
district does employ the use of
written parental excusals for the
absence of any Team member.
When a Team member’s
participation is required, the
excused member provides written
input for the development of the
IEP prior to the scheduled meeting.
Interviews
Student
Records
Interviews
SE 18A
IEP
development
and content

If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Review of student records and
interviews indicated that the IEP is
completed using the elements of
the most current IEP format
provided by the Department, and
IEPs are not changed at a higher
administrative level. When the
IEP Team evaluation indicates that
a student's disability affects social
skills development or when the
student's disability makes him or
her vulnerable to bullying,
harassment, or teasing, or if the
Union 28 Erving Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 20, 2012
Page 2 of 3
(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
student has a disability identified
on the autism spectrum the IEP
Team considers and addresses the
skills and proficiencies needed to
avoid and respond to bullying,
harassment, or teasing.
Student
Records
Interviews
SE 25
Parental
Consent

Review of student records and
interviews indicated that the school
district obtains written parental
consent before conducting an initial
evaluation and before making an
initial placement or initiating
extended evaluations. If the district
is unable to obtain consent after
initial evaluation and/or placement,
and the district determines this
action is a denial of FAPE,
resolution through BSEA is sought.
Furthermore, the district informs
the parent that consent may be
revoked at any time in writing, and
at the time of revocation the district
discontinues all special education
services and informs the parents on
how to obtain a copy of their
procedural safeguards.
Union 28 Erving Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 20, 2012
Page 3 of 3
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements