Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
March 7, 2007
Sue M. Gee, Superintendent
Gill-Montague Regional School District
35 Crocker Avenue
Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376
Re: Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
Dear Superintendent Gee:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Coordinated
Program Review Report (Mid-Cycle Report). This report contains findings based on onsite
monitoring conducted to verify the implementation and effectiveness of corrective action
approved or ordered by the Department to address findings of noncompliance included in the
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Report issued on January
7, 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.
Another component of the Department’s Mid-cycle Review is the review of your school district
or charter school's self-assessment in the area of English learner education (ELE). (In the
remainder of this letter, please read “district” as meaning “school district or charter school.”) The
purpose of this review is to determine whether your district is implementing the significant
changes in M.G.L. Chapter 71A, governing the education of limited English proficient students,
that were adopted by voters by means of Question 2 in 2002. The Department has reviewed your
district’s ELE self-assessment (documentation and any written analysis of compliance) and, based
solely on that self-assessment, is providing you in this report with findings on your ELE program
and the corresponding corrective action to be implemented. Your district is urged to request
technical assistance in relation to any of these findings or this prescribed corrective action from
me or from staff in the Department’s Office of Language Acquisition and Achievement at 781338-3534. ELE guidance documents are available on the Department’s website at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/.
While the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education found your district to have
resolved all previous noncompliance issues with the exception of two (SE 13 and MOA 16), the
Department’s onsite team has identified two new issues of noncompliance.
In all instances where noncompliance has been found, the Department has prescribed corrective
action for the district that must be implemented without delay. You will find these requirements
for corrective action included in the attached report, along with requirements for progress
1
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. You must submit your statement of assurance to Darlene Lynch, Director, Program
Quality Assurance Services, 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, by March 22, 2007.
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 D. Battistoni, Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Mary Kociela, School Committee Chairperson
Cynthia Joyce, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Encl.: Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT
Gill-Montague Regional School District
ONSITE MONITORING OF IMPLEMENTATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION AND OF CERTAIN NEW REQUIREMENTS
Date of Coordinated Program Review (CPR): March 22 - 26, 2004
Date of Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Plan Approval: August 5, 2005
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: January 15, 2006
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: January 22 – 24, 2007
Date of this Report: March 7, 2007
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN SEVERAL SECTIONS.
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 1 of 21
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
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
Special Ed.
Criteria Cited
in CPR Report
and Monitored
in Mid-cycle
SE 3
SLD
Statutory requirements for
the determination of specific
learning disabilities have
been revised under the
recently reauthorized IDEA
2004. Therefore, the
Department is not making
findings related to school
district practices under
Coordinated Program
Review Criterion SE 3. For
districts seeking to resolve a
previous finding in this area,
the Department will extend
the date required for final
actions on the part of the
school district and will
consider resolution following
the issuance by MA ESE of
guidance regarding the
implementation of related
federal regulations.
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 2 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 7
Transfer of
parental rights
at age of
majority and
student
participation
and consent at
the age of
majority

Student record
review
The district implements all
procedures regarding
students turning 18 and
transfer of parental rights at
age of majority. Evidence of
completed activities/notices
is maintained in students’
files.
SE 9
Timeline for
determination
of eligibility and
provision of
documentation
to parent

Documentation
and student
record review
The district has developed a
tracking system to accurately
oversee and adhere to the
timelines for determining
special education eligibility.
SE 15
Outreach by the
School District
(Child Find)

Documentation
and interviews
The district conducts
frequent outreach and
continuous liaison with
various local organizations to
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
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 3 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
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
identify students in need of
special education.
SE 18A
IEP
Development
and Content

Student record
review and
interviews
Student record review and
interviews indicated that the
district is documenting the
IEP Team’s discussion of
parent and student wishes,
evaluation results, and
needed specially designed
instruction on the current
Massachusetts ESE IEP
format.
SE 19
Extended
Evaluation

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicated that the
district conducts an extended
evaluation if the Team
determines that a student is
eligible for special education
services but does not have
enough information to write
a full IEP. The district writes
an IEP based on the
information currently
available, obtains parental
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 4 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
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
consent, conducts the
evaluation, and holds a Team
meeting within 8 weeks of
parent consent.
SE 22
IEP
implementation
and availability

Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
The school district has an
IEP in effect for each student
at the beginning of the school
year. The district has in
place policies and procedures
to ensure that services are
provided without delay.
SE 27
Content of
Team meeting
notice to
parents

Student record
review and
documentation
The district ensures that
parent notices meet all state
and federal law content
requirements and Team
meeting notices state the
purpose, time, location and
attendees.
Documentation,
student record
review, and
interviews
The district provides the
parent with the fully
developed IEP immediately
following its development
SE 28
Notice Sent to
Parent with IEP

Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 5 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
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
and without undue delay.
SE 29
Communications are in
English and
primary
language of
home

Documentation,
student record
review, and
interviews
The Department had no
compliance concerns with
this criterion.
SE 30
Parents’ Rights

Documentation,
student record
review, and
interviews
The district is providing
parents with the current
Notice of Procedural
Safeguards brochure.
SE 41
Age Span

Documentation,
student record
review, and
interviews
The ages of the students in
the district’s instructional
groupings comply with state
requirements.
SE 45
Procedures for
suspension up
to 10 days and
after 10 days:
General
requirements

Documentation
and interviews
The district has included in
its student handbooks all of
the requirements of this
criterion.
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 6 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 49
Related
Services

Student records
Student records indicated
that IEPs consistently specify
the type of modifications
and/or specialized equipment
and precautions. Related
services are routinely
considered and consistently
identified on IEPs.
SE 50
Responsibilities
of the School
Principal and
Administrator
of Special
Education

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews demonstrated that
the district’s administrator of
special education is meeting
all statutory requirements.
SE 54
Professional
Development

Documentation
and interviews
The district considers the
needs of all staff in
developing training
opportunities and provides a
variety of offerings, which
include the required topics.
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
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 7 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
SE 55
Special
Education
Facilities and
Classrooms
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
New Issues
Identified
Observations at the
Montague Center School
revealed that related
services are conducted in
a room that is located in
an isolated corridor that is
removed from the life of
the school.
By June 1, 2007 submit a
written plan to correct all
issues of non-compliance
related to this criterion.
Interviews and
observations
Observations at the
Hillcrest Elementary
School revealed that
special education
classrooms and services
are clustered in one wing
of the school and are
separate and distinct from
the general education
classrooms.
Observations and
interviews indicated that
students in the Old Mill
elementary and middle
school programs are
located in the central
office building and are
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 8 of 21
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
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
segregated from the
general population of the
school district.
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 9 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
SE 6 ##1 - 3
Determination
of Transition
Services

Documentation,
student records,
and interviews
The onsite team reviewed
student records that
demonstrated that vision
statements included
information regarding a
student’s future direction and
goals. Additionally the
district is documenting
transition related activities on
a grid in the student record.
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and attendance

Documentation,
student records,
and interviews
IEP Teams consistently have
all required people in
attendance.
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation

Student records
and interviews
The district meets all
requirements of this
criterion.
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Special
Education
Criteria
created or
revised in
response to
IDEA-2004
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 10 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting

SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content
The district provides
parents with progress
reports on students’
progress toward reaching
the IEP goals; however,
they are not issued at least
as often as parents are
informed of the progress
of non-disabled students.
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 11 of 21
By June 1, 2007 provide
training for special education
staff, including related service
providers, on this requirement
and submit the agenda and
attendance sheet to the
Department.
In addition, submit a random
sample of 5 progress reports
from each school building to
the Department.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
SE 14
Review and
revision of
IEPs

Student records
and interviews
The district ensures that IEPs
are reviewed on or before the
anniversary date of their
implementation date to
consider the student’s
progress and develop a new
IEP.
SE 25B
Resolution of
disputes

Documentation
and interviews
The district has put into place
procedures and forms for
dispute resolution.
SE 33
Involvement in
the General
Curriculum

Documentation,
student records,
and interviews
Documentation, student
records, and interviews
indicated that all students
have access to the general
curriculum.
SE 39A
Procedures for
services to
eligible private
school students
whose parents
reside in the
district

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicated that the
district has procedures to
provide services to eligible
students enrolled in private
schools at private expense
whose parents reside in the
district.
Criterion
Determined
to be
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
(SE 39A does
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 12 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
not apply to
charter schools
or vocational
schools)
SE 39B
Procedures for
services to
eligible
students in
private schools
in the district
whose parents
reside out of
state

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicated that the
district has procedures to
provide services to eligible
students enrolled in private
schools at private expense
whose parents reside out of
state.

Documentation
and interviews
The district has appropriate
procedures in place for
suspension of students with
disabilities more than 10
days.
(SE 39B does
not apply to
charter schools
or vocational
schools)
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
more than 10
days
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 13 of 21
Criterion
Number/Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20062007 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Documentation
and interviews
Based on documentation and
interviews all students have
access to the full range of
educational programming at
all school levels.
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
New Issues
Identified
The onsite team
determined that there is a
full continuum of special
education programs and
services offered at each
elementary school within
the district, except at the
Montague Center School.
By June 1, 2007 the district is
to submit a description of its
screening and identification
process for students with
special needs. In this
description include the
numbers of identified students,
the schools in which they
attend, and their disabilities.
Civil Rights
(MOA) and
Other General
Education
Requirements
MOA 3
Access to all
Education
Programs
MOA 4
Placement of
female
students, males
students,
homeless
students,
students with
disabilities,
and students
from linguistic
and
racial/ethnic
groups
While all other
elementary schools have a
proportionate
representation of special
needs students and
programs, the onsite team
determined that there are
a disproportionately low
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 14 of 21
The district is to submit a
description of its referral
process for special education.
Include in this description the
referral rates from each of the
school buildings within the
district, the suspected
number of students with
disabilities at the
Montague Center School
and that no special
education programs or
services are offered at the
Montague Center School.
MOA 7
Translated
Information

Documentation
and interviews
The district arranges for the
translation of notices and
documents where
appropriate.
MOA 9
Hiring of
Students

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation indicated that
prospective employers of
students are required to sign
a statement of
nondiscrimination.
MOA 10A
Student
Handbooks
and Codes of
Conduct

Documentation
Documentation indicated that
student handbooks and codes
of conduct contain all of the
requirements of this
criterion.
MOA 11A
Grievance
Procedures

Documentation
Documentation indicated that
the student handbooks
contains grievance
procedures for students and
for employees providing for
prompt and equitable
resolution of complaints
alleging discrimination based
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 15 of 21
disabilities of each student, and
the outcome of the eligibility
determination.
The district is to submit a
description of its exit criteria
for students who have been
determined no longer eligible
for special education services.
In this description include the
school building the student
attended at the time he/she was
exited from special education.
on sex or disability.
MOA 12A
Notification of
non-discrimination

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicated that the
district publicizes statements
of nondiscrimination.
MOA 14
Counseling
materials

Documentation
and interviews
The district has provided
documentation that
scholarships, prizes or
awards administrated or
sponsored by the district are
free of restrictions and are
non-discriminatory.
MOA 16
Notice to
students
leaving school
without
diploma

Documentation
and interviews
This criterion was Not
Implemented during the
2004 CPR and has not
been corrected for the
Mid-cycle Review.
Documentation review
indicated that the letter
the district sends to
parents of students 16 or
over leaving school
without a high school
diploma, certificate of
attainment, or certificate
of completion does not
meet all of the
requirements of this
criterion.
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 16 of 21
By March 30, 2007 the district
will submit a revised copy of
the notice to students 16 or
over leaving school without a
high school diploma, certificate
of attainment, or certificate of
completion that contains all of
the requirements of this
criterion.
MOA 17A
Restraint
training

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicated that the
district provides annual
physical restraint training to
all district staff.
MOA 21
Staff Training
Civil Rights

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicated that the
district has conducted all
required civil rights training
for its staff.
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 17 of 21
Gill-Montague Regional School District
English Learner Education (ELE) Requirements
Mid-Cycle Review Findings and Corrective Action Based on the Department’s Review Of Local Self-Assessments
(Please refer to full text of 2006-2007 CPR requirements for ELE and related implementation guidance at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/instrument/chapter71A.doc)
ELE
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Determined to be
Implemented
Based on Review
of Local ELE
Self-Assessment

ELE 1
Annual
Assessment

ELE 2
MCAS
Participation

ELE 3
Initial
Identification

ELE 4
Waiver
Procedures

Findings of Noncompliance Based on Department’s
Review of Local ELE Self-Assessment
(Criterion Determined to be Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented)
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 18 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
ELE
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Determined to be
Implemented
Based on Review
of Local ELE
Self-Assessment

ELE 5
Program
Placement
and Structure

ELE 6
Program Exit
and
Readiness

ELE 7
Parent
Involvement

ELE 8
Declining
Entry to a
Program

ELE 9
Instructional
Grouping

ELE 10
Parental
Notification
Findings of Noncompliance Based on Department’s
Review of Local ELE Self-Assessment
(Criterion Determined to be Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented)
The parental notification letter does not contain components a, d, e,
and f of this criterion.
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
By June 1, 2007 the district is to submit a revised
copy of its parental notification letter that contains
all of the required components of this criterion.
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 19 of 21
ELE
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Determined to be
Implemented
Based on Review
of Local ELE
Self-Assessment

ELE 11
Equal Access
to Academic
Programs
and Services

ELE 12
Equal Access
to
Nonacademic
and
Extracurricular
Programs

ELE 13
Follow-up
Support

ELE 14
Licensure
Requirements

Findings of Noncompliance Based on Department’s
Review of Local ELE Self-Assessment
(Criterion Determined to be Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented)
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 20 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
ELE
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Determined to be
Implemented
Based on Review
of Local ELE
Self-Assessment

ELE 15
Professional
Development
Requirements

ELE 16
Equitable
Facilities

ELE 17
Program
Evaluation

ELE 18
Records of
LEP
Students(To be
reviewed
during next
CPR visit.)

Findings of Noncompliance Based on Department’s
Review of Local ELE Self-Assessment
(Criterion Determined to be Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented)
Gill-Montague Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 7, 2007
Page 21 of 21
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for Implementation,
and Progress Reporting