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
September 11, 2012
Stacy Scott, Superintendent
Framingham Public Schools
31 Flagg Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Scott:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district in May 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: interviews, review of student records, examination of
documentation, and classroom observation(s).
The Department determined that one or more of the criteria monitored in your district was
“Partially Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance was
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 September 27, 2012.
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 Joan Brinckerhoff at 781338-3715.
Sincerely,
Joan Brinckerhoff, Ph.D., 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
Elizabeth Ahern, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
David F. Miles, Framingham School Committee Chairperson
Betsy McKeon, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Framingham Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 2 -3, 2012
Date of this Report: September 11, 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
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
A review of student records and
interviews with staff members
demonstrated that the district
provides notice and options for
the transfer of parental rights to
the student and the parent at the
Team meeting one year prior to
the student reaching 18 years of
age. When a student reaches 18
years of age the district
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 1 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
implements procedures to obtain
consent from the student,
student and parent or delegated
adult in accordance with the
student's selection regarding
decision-making.
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and
attendance

SE 18A
IEP
development
and content

Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Interviews with staff members
and a review of student records
indicated that the district
maintains procedures consistent
with the requirements for Team
attendance at each IEP meeting.
Team chairs have received
training and are implementing
the excusal process that includes
parental agreement and a written
report from the absent required
Team member.
Student record review and
interviews with staff members
demonstrated that the IEP Team
considers and addresses the
skills and proficiencies needed
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
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
to avoid and respond to
bullying, harassment, or teasing
for students identified with a
disability that affects social
skills development or when the
student's disability makes him or
her vulnerable to bullying,
harassment or teasing, as well as
for students identified with a
disability on the autism
spectrum.
SE 25
Parental
consent

Student
Records
A review of student records
showed that the district, upon
receipt of a parent’s request to
discontinue services, provides
the procedural safeguards and
written notice of the district’s
proposal to discontinue services
to the parent and immediately
discontinues all special
education services consistent
with federal regulation.
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 3 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 6
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)

Transition
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Staff
Interviews
Interviews with staff
members and a review
of student records
demonstrated that for
students 14 years and
older, the Team
discusses transition
needs and annually
reviews and updates
the student’s transition
planning form.
Student
Records
SE 9
Timeline for the
Determination
of
Eligibility
PI
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
A review of student
records demonstrated
that in instances when
a student is referred
for an initial
evaluation, within
forty-five school
working days after
receipt of the parent's
written consent the
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district must revise their
practice and procedures related to
meeting the timelines for eligibility
determination. The revised
procedures must ensure that once
consent is received that within
forty-five school working days
after receipt of the parent's written
consent the district determines
whether the student is eligible for
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 4 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
The district will
submit a copy of
the revised
procedures and
evidence of staff
training, which
will include a
training agenda,
attendance sheet
(including name
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
district determines
whether the student is
eligible for special
education and
provides to the parent
either a proposed IEP
and proposed
placement or a written
explanation of the
finding of no
eligibility.
special education and provides to
the parent either a proposed IEP
and proposed placement or a
written explanation of the finding
of no eligibility. Once developed,
the district must train IEP Team
chairpersons on these revised
procedures.
In the case of student
re-evaluations,
interviews with staff
members and a review
of student records
showed that the
district’s practice is to
send out consent forms
at the beginning of the
school year for any
student who will be
scheduled for a reevaluation during the
course of that
particular school year.
This practice results in
Further, the district must develop
an internal oversight and tracking
system to ensure that timelines are
met for re-evaluations. The
tracking system should include
supervisory oversight and periodic
reviews to ensure ongoing
compliance.
Conduct an internal review of
student records from all levels
(pre-k, elementary, middle,
secondary and out of district) for
reevaluations held after the
implementation of the corrective
action to ensure that the district is
consistently conducting reevaluations within required
timelines.
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 5 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
and role) and
copies of the
materials
presented. Also
please submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
system and
identify the
person(s)
responsible for the
oversight,
including the date
for the system’s
implementation to
the Department by
November 16,
2012.
Submit the results
of an
administrative
review of student
records. Indicate
the number of
records reviewed,
the number found
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
many instances where
a parent’s written
consent is received by
the district, but they
are not conducting the
evaluations, convening
the Team and
proposing the IEP
with-in forty-five
school working days
of the receipt of
consent because the
student’s re-evaluation
may be scheduled at a
time that is not related
to receipt of the
parent/guardian’s
consent.
SE 18B
Placement
Provision of
IEP
PI
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
A review of student
records and interviews
with staff members
demonstrated that at
the conclusion of
Team Meetings, the
district provides a
summary of the
decisions and
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Please note when conducting
internal monitoring that the
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).
The district must conduct a root
cause analysis to determine why,
when and where IEPs are not
consistently provided to
parents/guardians immediately.
Based on the results of the root
cause analysis, implement
corrective actions to address the
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 6 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
to be compliant,
an explanation of
the root cause for
any continued
noncompliance
and a description
of additional
corrective actions
to be taken by the
district to address
any identified
noncompliance.
Please submit this
to the Department
by May 15, 2013.
Submit the results
of the root cause
analysis and the
corrective actions
the district will
implement by
November 16,
2012.
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
agreements reached
during the Team
meeting; however the
complete IEP is not
consistently issued to
the parent within two
calendar weeks of the
Team meeting date.
issues in providing IEPs
immediately to parents that are
consistent with the
Memorandum on the
Implementation of 603 CMR
28.05(7): Parent response to
proposed IEP and proposed
placement at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/ne
ws.aspx?id=3182 .
Further, the district must develop
an internal oversight and tracking
system to ensure that proposed
IEPs are issued within two
calendar weeks of the IEP Team
meeting. The tracking system
should include supervisory
oversight and periodic reviews to
ensure ongoing compliance.
Conduct an internal review of
student records in which an IEP
Team meeting was held after the
implementation of the corrective
action to ensure that the district is
consistently providing IEPs to
parents/guardians immediately..
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 7 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Also please
submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
system and
identify the
person(s)
responsible for the
oversight,
including the date
for the system’s
implementation to
the Department by
November 16,
2012.
Submit the results
of an
administrative
review of student
records. Indicate
the number of
records reviewed,
the number found
to be compliant,
an explanation of
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
Please note when conducting
internal monitoring that the
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).
SE 34
Continuum
Placement
And
Services

Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student records and
staff interviews
indicated that
students who attend
the Thayer Campus
Alternative School
receive all services
and supports as
indicated on their IEP.
The district has
assigned a full time
special education
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 8 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
the root cause for
any continued
noncompliance
and a description
of additional
corrective actions
to be taken by the
district to address
any identified
noncompliance.
Please submit this
to the Department
by May 15, 2013.
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
teacher to the program
and for those students
who require speech
and language services,
the district has also
assigned a licensed
speech and language
pathologist.
SE 37
Out of District
Placements

A review of student
records, interviews
with staff members
and a review of
documentation showed
that the district has
procedures in place to
document monitoring
activities for students
in out-of-district
placements and those
are consistently found
in the student records.
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 9 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 41
Age Span
Requirements
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
A review of district
documentation and
interviews with staff
members
demonstrated that the
ages of the youngest
and oldest student in
all instructional groups
district wide and
specifically within the
high school do not
exceeded the 48 month
threshold. Further it
was noted that the
district has trained
staff members on age
span waiver
requirements and
implemented a data
collection process to
ensure all instructional
groupings meet the
age span requirements.
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 10 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 55
Special
Education
Facilities &
Classrooms
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Observation
On site observations
and interviews with
staff members
demonstrated that at
the high school the
instructional space
now designated for the
substantially separate
language based
classroom is equal in
all physical respects to
the average standards
of general education
classrooms and is
given the same priority
as general education
programs in the
facility.
Staff
Interview
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Framingham Public School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2012
Page 11 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s)
and Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Framingham 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