75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4096 Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
June 26, 2012
Dr. James Cummings, Superintendent
Grafton Public Schools
30 Providence Road
Grafton, Massachusetts 01519
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Dr. Cummings:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based on the onsite visit conducted in your district on April 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 2014-15 academic year unless the
Department determines that there is some reason to schedule this visit earlier.

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 Paula
Twomey at 781-338-3730.
Sincerely,
Paula Twomey, 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 Y. Ahern, Ed.D., Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Kathleen Halloran, School Committee Chairperson
Kathleen Baris, Special Education Administrator, Local Program Review
Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
GRAFTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: April 30, 2012
Date of this Report: June 26, 2012
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN TWO SECTIONS.
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 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
SE 7
Transfer of parental rights and student participation and consent at age of majority

Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
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.
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 1 of 12
(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
Staff
Interviews
When a student reaches 18 years of age the district implements procedures to obtain consent from the student, student and parent or delegated adult in accordance with the student’s selection regarding decision-making.
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.
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 2 of 12
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 18A
IEP development and content
SE 25
Parental consent
Criterion
Implemented



Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student record review and interviews with staff members demonstrated that the IEP Team considers and addresses the skills and proficiencies needed 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.
Interviews with staff members and a review of student records demonstrated that the district has procedures in place to
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 3 of 12
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 address when a parent revokes consent to special education services in writing.
The district acts promptly and provides written notice to the parent/guardian’s written request to discontinue services based on the revocation of consent, as well as information on how the parent can obtain a copy of his/her procedural safeguards before the district discontinues the services.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 4 of 12

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 Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Implemented
(NI)
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s) and Required
Elements
SE 20
Least restrictive program selected

Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Interviews with staff members indicated that at all school levels, IEP
Teams have guided and formal discussions of the Least Restrictive
Environment (LRE).
A review of student records clearly indicated that the district does not remove an eligible child from the general education classroom solely because of needed modification in the curriculum.
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 5 of 12

Criterion
SE 22
IEP implementation and availability primary language of home
SE 29
Communications are in
English and
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
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s) and Required
Elements


Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Document
Review
A review of student records and interviews with staff members indicated that at the beginning of the school year the district has an
IEP in effect for all eligible students within its jurisdiction. This includes agreed upon services relative to counseling at the high school level.
A review of documentation showed that the district has developed and implemented procedures to identify families who may require translation
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 6 of 12

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
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s) and Required
Elements services and to ensure communications with parents are in clear and commonly understood words and are in both
English and the primary language of the home if such primary language is other than English.
Further, interviews with staff members and a review of student records demonstrated that if the district provides notices orally or in some other mode of communication that is not written language, the district keeps written documentation that it has provided such notice in an alternate manner, of the content of the
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 7 of 12

Criterion
SE 32
Parent advisory council for special education
SE 34
Continuum of alternative services and placements
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
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s) and Required
Elements


Staff
Interview
Parent
Interview
Document
Review
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews notice and of the steps taken to ensure that the parent understands the content of the notice.
A review of district documentation and interviews indicated that the parent advisory council (PAC) duties include participation in the planning, development and evaluation of the school district’s education programs.
A review of documentation, student records and interviews with staff members demonstrated that the district has put in place
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 8 of 12

Criterion
SE 46
Procedures for suspension of students with disabilities when suspensions exceed 10 consecutive
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
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s) and Required
Elements

Document
Review
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews a continuum of services and placement options for students with social, emotional and behavioral disabilities. Programs in the district include language-based classrooms and therapeutic behavioral learning classrooms with services that include Applied
Behavioral Analysis
(ABA), counseling and social skill building.
Interviews with staff members and a review of student records demonstrated that the district has developed and implemented appropriate procedures
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 9 of 12

Criterion school days or a pattern has developed for suspensions exceeding 10 cumulative days
SE 48
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
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s) and Required
Elements

Student
Records for students with disabilities regarding suspensions and manifestation determinations.
Specifically, district personnel, the parent/guardian and all relevant Team members participate in the manifestation determination process, reviewing all relevant information and data as to whether or not the behavior in question is a manifestation of the student’s disability and making placement decisions based on their determinations.
A review of student records and interviews
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 10 of 12

Criterion
Equal opportunity to participate in educational, nonacademic, extracurricular and ancillary programs, as well as participation in regular education
SE 55
Special education facilities and classrooms
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
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s) and Required
Elements

Staff
Interviews
Observation with staff members showed that the district has a scheduling process in place to ensure that middle and high school students placed in substantially separate classrooms have an equal opportunity to participate with their general education peers in art, music and physical education.
An onsite observation indicated that the district’s new high school facility has designated appropriate space for the provision of all related services and the special education classrooms are located throughout
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 11 of 12

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
(b) Progress
Report Due Date(s) and Required
Elements the school to maximize inclusion of such students into the life of the school.
Grafton Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 26, 2012
Page 12 of 12