Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
April 22, 2009
Marc Dupuis, Superintendent
Falmouth Public Schools
340 Teaticket Highway
East Falmouth, MA 02536
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Dupuis:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district on March 10 and 11, 2009. 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 staff interviews, review of student records, examination of
documentation, and/or classroom observation.
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 that must
be implemented without delay. 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 May 6, 2009.
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
Jamie MacDonald, School Committee Chairperson
Mary Larrivee, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Falmouth Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: March 10 and 11, 2009
Date of this Report: April 22, 2009
Core Special Education Criteria Cited in CPR Report and Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
(These criteria are marked with a triple asterisk (***) in the Mid-cycle Review Information Package and in the School
District Information Package for Special Education.)
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 5
Participation in
general State and
district-wide
assessment
programs
***SE 15
Outreach by the
School District
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion

Student record
review
The district’s practice is
consistent with current
requirements.

Interviews and
documentation
Interviews and
documentation indicate that
the district conducts
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 1 of 11
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
(b)
Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
(Child Find)
***SE 20
Least restrictive
program selected
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
appropriate outreach
activities.
PI
Student record
review
Student record review
indicates that justification for
the removal from the general
education classroom is not
always consistent with the
service delivery grid and does
not always provide student
specific information,
including why the removal
was considered critical and
why supplementary aids and
services could not be made in
the classroom.
The district must provide
training to staff responsible for
developing the IEP on the
appropriate documentation of
the nonparticipation
justification statement.
Provide a copy of the training
agenda, training materials, and
signed attendance sheets,
including the role/title of the
attendees.
June 15,
2009
Develop a tracking and
monitoring system for ensuring
that nonparticipation
justification statements include
the required information.
Submit a description of the
tracking and monitoring
system, including the person(s)
responsible for ensuring
ongoing compliance.
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 2 of 11
June 15,
2009
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
Review a random sample of
student records to determine
whether the nonparticipation
justification statement contains
the required information.
Submit the following
information to the Department:
 The number of records
reviewed.
 The number of records
found to be in compliance.
 Specific corrective action
taken if any noncompliance
was found.
***SE 22
IEP
implementation
and availability
***SE 24
Notice to parent
regarding
Interviews
Interviews indicate that the
district has procedures in
place to ensure that all staff
members are informed of
their responsibilities
regarding a student’s IEP.
Student
records,
interviews and
Student record review and
interviews indicate that the
district no longer requires

PI
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 3 of 11
The district must take steps to
ensure that the questions are
printed on page 2 of the N1 and
(b)
Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
November
6, 2009
Criterion
proposal or
refusal to initiate
or change the
identification,
evaluation, or
educational
placement of the
child or the
provision of
FAPE
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
documentation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
parents to put their request for
an evaluation in writing.
However, student record
review and documentation
indicate that the forms the
district uses to propose an
action or refuse to act (N1
and N2 forms) do not have
the required questions printed
on page 2 of the form and not
all questions are addressed in
the district’s narrative on
page 2.
Interviews and record review
indicate that in some cases a
standard statement is inserted
in the notice by support staff
sending out the IEP.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
N2 forms and provide training
to appropriate staff members to
ensure that all questions on the
notices are addressed.
Provide a copy of the training
agenda, training materials, and
signed attendance sheets,
including the role/title of the
attendees.
Page 4 of 11
June 15,
2009
Develop a tracking and
monitoring system to ensure
staff use of a complete form
(N1 and N2) and that all
questions are addressed by an
appropriate staff member.
Submit a description of the
tracking and monitoring
system, including the person(s)
responsible for ensuring
ongoing compliance.
Review a random sample of
student records to determine if
all questions on the N1 and N2
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
(b)
Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
June 15,
2009
November
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
forms are addressed. Submit
the following information to
the Department:
 The number of records
reviewed.
 The number of records
found to be in compliance.
 Specific corrective action
taken if any noncompliance
was found.
***SE 29
Communications
are in English
and primary
language of home

Student record
review,
documentation
and interviews
Student record review,
documentation, and
interviews indicate that
procedures are in place to
translate special education
documents and to
communicate with parents
when the language of the
home is other than English.
In addition, documentation
indicates that the district has
purchased software to
translate school notices into
other major languages and
support staff have been
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 5 of 11
(b)
Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
6, 2009
Criterion
***SE 33
Involvement in
the general
curriculum
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student record
review
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
trained in the use of the
software.
Student record review
indicates that the district
documents the student’s
participation in the general
curriculum and that the
Present Levels of Educational
Performance (PLEP) A page
of the IEP was consistently
completed. The PLEP B
page of the IEP, however,
was sometimes blank when it
was clear that age
considerations or
social/emotional needs should
have been addressed.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
Provide to staff responsible for
developing IEPs training on the
completion of PLEP B.
Provide a copy of the training
agenda, training materials, and
signed attendance sheets
including the role/title of the
attendees.
Review a random sample of
student records to determine if
the PLEP B page of the IEP is
completed appropriately, when
Page 6 of 11
June 15,
2009
Develop a tracking and
monitoring system for ensuring
that the PLEP B page of the
IEP is completed appropriately.
Submit a description of the
tracking and monitoring
system, including the person(s)
responsible for ensuring
ongoing compliance.
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
(b)
Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
June 15,
2009
November
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
required. Submit the following
information to the Department:
 The number of records
reviewed.
 The number of records
found to be in compliance.
 Specific corrective action
taken if any noncompliance
was found.
***SE 37
Procedures for
approved and
unapproved outof-district
placements
Record review

The student record review
indicates that an Out-ofDistrict Monitoring Form was
consistently used to document
communication and
monitoring activities. This
document was comprehensive
and contained information
regarding a student’s access
to the curriculum, service
delivery, staffing, the school
environment, student records,
discipline, and parent
involvement. Documentation
of communication with the
school was also included in
the student record.
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 7 of 11
(b)
Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
6, 2009
Criterion
***SE 45
Procedures for
suspension up to
10 days and after
10 days
***SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities when
suspensions
exceed 10
consecutive
school days . . .
***SE 48
Equal
opportunity to
participate in
educational,
nonacademic,
extracurricular
and ancillary
programs, as well
as participation
in regular
education
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews


Documentation
and interviews
Interviews

Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Interviews indicate that the
district ensures that students
with disabilities are receiving
information on the Code of
Conduct in a manner in which
they can understand.
Documentation and
interviews indicate that the
district follows procedures as
required for the discipline of
students with disabilities.
Functional Behavioral
Assessments are completed as
necessary.
Interviews indicate that the
district is no longer offering
full-day kindergarten classes
for special education students
through the use of a lottery
system. All kindergarten
students now have full-day
programs.
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 8 of 11
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 52A
Registration of
educational
interpreters
***SE 53
Use of
paraprofessionals
***SE 55
Special education
facilities and
classrooms
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews

Interviews


Observations
and interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Interviews indicate that there
are currently no in-district
students who require an
educational interpreter, these
students currently attend
private special education
schools or collaborative
programs. However, the
district is aware of the
requirements of this criterion.
Interviews indicate that there
are two early release days
each year for training
paraprofessionals and
assistant teachers.
Paraprofessionals are
sometimes offered additional
training opportunities to meet
their needs.
Observation and interviews
indicate that there have been
some changes made at
Teaticket Elementary School
to improve the spaces outside
the library used for special
education services and plans
are in place to build offices
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 9 of 11
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
(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
which would eliminate the
distractions that are
sometimes a problem at this
site. The services provided in
a portable classroom are not
identified as an issue because
the students only come to this
area for services and are
otherwise included in regular
education classes. One other
class, a regular education
computer laboratory, is also
in a portable classroom.
At Morse Pond, special
education instructional spaces
are no longer clustered and
students are integrated into
the life of the school.
At North Falmouth
Elementary School, the
speech and language therapy
room no longer has a sign
identifying it as such and
classroom 40 is now used as a
general education class. The
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 10 of 11
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
(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
lobby area is no longer used
for social skills groups and
the room next to the boiler
room is no longer used for
special education.
Falmouth High School is
currently undergoing
extensive renovations. The
special education classrooms
that were clustered have been
moved, as have the special
education classrooms on the
lower level. Plans for the
renovated building indicate
that classrooms for special
education services will
maximize inclusion and will
be given the same priority as
general education classrooms.
Falmouth Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 22, 2009
Page 11 of 11
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: Falmouth 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