May 14, 2008
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023 Telephone: (781) 338-3000
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
Edward Blatchford, Director
Four Rivers Charter Public School
248 Colrain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Mr. Blatchford:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report. This report contains findings based on onsite monitoring the Department conducted to determine the effectiveness of corrective action it approved or ordered to address noncompliance identified in your district’s last Coordinated Program Review Report, dated October 11, 2005. The Mid-cycle
Report also contains findings based on onsite monitoring of special education compliance criteria that have been created or substantially changed in response to IDEA 2004.
The Department has found your district to have implemented special education compliance criteria that were created or substantially changed in response to IDEA 2004, as well as SE 33 on the access of students with disabilities to the district’s general curriculum (the curriculum expected to be taught to all students). 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 new special education requirements as well as maintaining compliance in areas where the Department found noncompliance during the Coordinated Program Review (CPR).
The Department will notify you of your district's next regularly scheduled CPR several months before it is to occur. At this time we anticipate that this CPR will occur sometime during the
2011 school year unless the Department determines that there is some reason to schedule this visit earlier.
In all instances where noncompliance has been found, the Department has prescribed corrective action for the district that must be implemented without delay. (In the case of new findings of noncompliance, this corrective action must be corrected 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 progress reporting. Please provide the Department with your written assurance that all of the Department's requirements for corrective action will be implemented by your district within the timelines specified in the report.
1

You must submit your statement of assurance to me by May 30, 2008 .
Your staff's cooperation throughout this Mid-cycle Review is appreciated. Should you like clarification of any part of our report, please do not hesitate to contact me at 413 858 4591.
Sincerely,
Paul Battistoni, Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services c: Jeffrey Nellhaus, Acting Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Benjamin Murray, Board of Trustees Chairperson
Encl.: Mid-cycle Report
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MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Four Rivers Charter Public School
Date of Coordinated Program Review (CPR) Final Report: October 11, 2005
Date Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Approved or Ordered: December 19, 2005
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: May 15, 2006 and June 1, 2007
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: March 10 - 12, 2008
Date of this Report: May 14, 2008
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN SEVERAL SECTIONS.
Criterion
Number/Topic
SE 9
Timeline for determination of eligibility and provision of documentation to parent
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented and Effective


Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that Corrective Action was Implemented and has been Effective
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or Not
Effective or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Student record review, documentation, and interviews
The charter school has developed a tracking system to accurately oversee and adhere to the timelines for determining special education eligibility.
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
Page 1 of 10

Criterion
Number/Topic
SE 22
IEP implementation and availability
SE 32
Parent advisory council for special education
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented and Effective


Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that Corrective Action was Implemented and has been Effective
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or Not
Effective or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Student record review, documentation, and interviews
By September 5, 2008 the charter school is to submit to the Department a report on the review of 10 randomly selected student records. In the report indicate if the timeline for determination of eligibility and provision of the IEP to the parent was met.
The charter school has an
IEP in effect for each student at the beginning of the school year and has in place policies and procedures to ensure that services are provided without delay.
Documentation and interviews
 The charter school understands its obligation to create a
PAC; however, during the 2007/2008 school year there is no evidence
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
Page 2 of 10
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
By September 5, 2008 the charter school is to submit to the Department evidence of its efforts to establish a PAC as well as its procedure to ensure ongoing, long-term compliance

Criterion
Number/Topic
SE 38
Educational services in institutional settings (ESIS)
SE 49
Related
Services
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented and Effective



Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that Corrective Action was Implemented and has been Effective
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or Not
Effective or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Documentation and interviews
Documentation and interviews to show that the charter school tried to establish a
PAC.
This criterion generally does not apply to charter schools.
The responsibility for students in SEIS facilities reverts to the district where the parent/guardian resides when special education services begin in the
SEIS setting. Disputes in this matter will be resolved on a case-bycase basis.
The charter school demonstrated that it has related service providers available to meet all the needs of all students who require such services.
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
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Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting with this criterion.

Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented and Effective

SE 50
Administrator of special education
SE 53
Use of paraprofessionals


Method(s) of
Verification
Documentation and interviews
Documentation and interviews
Basis of Determination that Corrective Action was Implemented and has been Effective
The charter school’s revised Curriculum
Accommodation Plan now describes how it will meet the needs of English language learners.
The charter school submitted evidence that paraprofessionals receive on-going training needed to perform their job duties.
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or Not
Effective or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
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Criterion
Number and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented


Method(s) of
Verification
Student records and interviews
Basis of Determination that Criterion was
Implemented
Criterion
Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented

SE 3
Special requirements for determination of specific learning disability
SE 6 ##1 - 3
Determination of Transition
Services

Student record review, documentation, and interviews
Student records and interviews indicated that the charter school does create a written determination as to whether or not a student has a specific learning disability (SLD) when the student is suspected of having an SLD is evaluated.
Student records, documentation, and interviews indicated that vision statements include information regarding a student’s future direction and goals. Additionally, the charter school is using the transition planning chart and is documenting transition related activities in the student record.
Basis of Determination that Criterion was
Partially Implemented or Not Implemented
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
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Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting

Criterion
Number and
Topic
SE 8
IEP Team composition and attendance
SE 12
Frequency of re-evaluation
SE 13
Progress
Reports and content
SE 14
Review and revision of IEPs
Criterion
Implemented





Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that Criterion was
Implemented
Criterion
Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination that Criterion was
Partially Implemented or Not Implemented
Student record review and interviews
Student record review and documentation
Student record review interviews
Student record review and documentation
IEP Teams consistently have all required people in attendance.
The student record review and documentation indicated consistent implementation of completing the three-year re-evaluation within required timelines.
Student record review and interviews indicated that progress reports are completed with the same frequency as the report card cycle and include written information on the student’s progress toward the annual goals in the IEP.
Student records and documentation indicated that the charter school conducts annual reviews
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
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Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting

Criterion
Number and
Topic
SE 25B
Resolution of disputes
SE 33
Involvement in the General
Curriculum
SE 46
Procedures for suspension of students with disabilities more than 10 days
SE 52
Appropriate certifications/ licenses or other credentials –
Criterion
Implemented




Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that Criterion was
Implemented
Documentation and interviews
Documentation, student records, and interviews
Documentation and interviews within the required timelines.
The charter school has put into place all appropriate procedures and forms for dispute resolution.
Documentation, student records, and interviews indicated that all students have access to the general curriculum.
The charter school has appropriate procedures in place for the suspension of students with disabilities for more than 10 days.
Criterion
Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination that Criterion was
Partially Implemented or Not Implemented
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
 Documentation and interviews
The charter school does not have any students currently enrolled who require interpreting services; however, the
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
Page 7 of 10

related service providers
(to be reviewed only with respect to providers of interpreting services)
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that Criterion was
Implemented charter school does have a procedure in place to provide such services if needed.
Criterion
Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination that Criterion was
Partially Implemented or Not Implemented
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
Page 8 of 10

CR 13
Availability of information and counseling on general curricular and occupational/ vocational opportunities
CR 16
Notice to students 16 or over leaving school without a high school diploma, certificate of attainment, or certificate of completion
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that Corrective Action was Implemented and has been Effective
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or Not
Effective or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
 Documentation review and interviews
Documentation review and interviews indicated that the charter school has a plan to notify all students of their option to attend a vocational technical high school.
 Documentation review and interviews
Documentation review and interviews indicated that the charter school has developed a notice to students 16 or over leaving school without a high school diploma, certificate of attainment, or certificate of completion meeting the requirements of this criterion and will use it when necessary.
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
Page 9 of 10

Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented and Effective

CR 25
Institutional self-evaluation

Method(s) of
Verification
Documentation review and interviews
Basis of Determination that Corrective Action was Implemented and has been Effective
The charter school has in place a comprehensive and effective evaluation process to examine and remedy policies and programs that discriminate or limit educational access.
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or Not
Effective or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements
Four Rivers Charter Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 14, 2008
Page 10 of 10