The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Education
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
March 2, 2007
Judy DeLucia, Superintendent
Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical School District
57 River Road
Andover, MA 01810
Re: Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
Dear Superintendent DeLucia,
Enclosed is the Department of Education's Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report (MidCycle Report). This report contains findings based on onsite monitoring conducted to verify the
implementation and effectiveness of corrective action approved by the Department to address
findings of noncompliance included in the Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical
School District (GLRVTS) Coordinated Program Review Report issued on August 28, 2003. The
Mid-cycle Report also contains findings based on onsite monitoring of special education
compliance criteria that have been newly created or substantially changed in response to IDEA
2004.
As you know, 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 documents and, based solely on that selfassessment, is providing you in this report with comments on your ELE program and, where
necessary, corrective action to be implemented. Your district is urged to request technical
assistance in relation to any of these comments or prescribed corrective action. To secure
assistance, you may consult with your Mid-cycle Review Chairperson. You may also consult with
staff in the Department’s Office of Language Acquisition and Achievement at 781-338-3534 and
obtain additional ELE guidance documents through the Department’s web site at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/ .
While the Department of Education found your district to have resolved certain noncompliance
issues, others were partially corrected or not addressed at all, or the Department’s onsite team
identified new issues of noncompliance, either noncompliance with special education criteria
added or substantially changed in response to IDEA 2004, noncompliance with ELE criteria, or
other new noncompliance. Where the district has failed to implement its approved Corrective
Action Plan, the Department views these findings to be serious.
1
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
reporting. Please provide the Department with your written assurance that all of the Department's
requirements for corrective action will be implemented by your school district within the
timelines specified. Your statement of assurance must be submitted to the Mid-cycle Review
Chairperson by March 20, 2007.
Your staff's cooperation throughout these follow-up monitoring activities is appreciated. Should
you like clarification of any part of our report, please do not hesitate to contact the Mid-cycle
Review Chairperson at 781-338-3720.
Sincerely,
Beth López, Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Leo Lamontaigne, School Committee Chairperson
Paula Pike, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Encl.: Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
Mid-cycle Cover Letter 2006.doc
Rev. 6/5/06
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT
Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational School
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL NONCOMPLIANCE REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Date of Coordinated Program Review (CPR): April 17-24, 2003
Date of Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Plan Approval: January 2, 2004
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: June 18, 04
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: May 31-June 2, 2006
Date of this Report: March 2, 2007
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN SEVERAL SECTIONS.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 1 of 43
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s)
of
Verification

Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
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
Special
Education
Criteria
Originally
Cited in CPR
Report and
Monitored in
Mid-cycle
SE 1
Assessments
are
appropriately
selected and
interpreted for
students
referred for
evaluation
No
Review of
student
records
Yes
Records reveal:
A lack of consistency in
assessing areas of disability.
Interviews
No evidence of the use of a
variety of sources to gather
relevant information.
Documents
provided
List of assessments provided
by the district not reflected
in records reviewed.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 2 of 43
The school must provide
professional development for
persons assigned to conduct
assessments to determine
eligibility. The district will
identify to the Department the
persons identified from staff or
contracted to conduct the training,
the credentials of the trainer and
provide copies of the training
materials used in the training. The
Department requires that the
training occur for each of the
impairment categories identified
in the state regulations under 603
CMR 28.02(7). The training
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s)
of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
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
should include identifying the
required components for all
assessments (i.e. testing in the
student’s area of suspected
disability, completing teacher and
educational status assessments).
Training regarding the summary
and recommendation requirements
should be included in the
professional development
workshop.
The district will identify the staff
persons responsible for
monitoring the inclusion of
materials into the student record
and develop a checklist for each
list that ensures that all required
assessments are completed. Staff
who insert information into the
student record and are responsible
for completing the checklists will
initial or sign the checklists. The
Department will arrange an onsite
review to ensure that the
checklists are completed and the
corresponding materials are
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 3 of 43
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s)
of
Verification

Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
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
contained in the student record.
The Corrective Action is due
May 30, 2007. An onsite visit will
be arranged with the district after
the review of the district’s
document submission.
SE 2
Required and
optional
assessments
SE 4
Reports of
assessment
No
Review of
student
records
Yes
Interviews
No
Record
review
Yes
Records and interviews
reveal that the district is still
struggling with this issue.
Required and optional
assessments are not
consistently administered.
Provision of the teacher's
assessment is inconsistent
Many of the records
contained assessments,
which do not meet State and
Federal requirements when
administered on their own.
See SE 1 regarding the corrective
action required of the district.
Review of student records
indicates that the evaluators
do not consistently
See SE 1 regarding the corrective
action required of the district. In
addition, the district should
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 4 of 43
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective

Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Interviews
results
SE 7
Transfer of
parental
rights at age
of majority
and student
Method(s)
of
Verification
No
Student
record review
Partial
Interviews
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
summarize in writing the
procedures employed, the
results, and the diagnostic
impression or define in
detail, in educationally
relevant and common terms,
the student's needs, offering
explicit recommendations
for meeting them. Also, no
evidence has been provided
that summaries of
assessments are completed
prior to Team discussion and
are made available upon
request, to the parent at least
two days in advance of the
meeting.
develop some mechanism for
informing parents of their right to
the evaluations at least two days
before the Team meeting. The
district can accomplish this by
documenting the parent’s wish in
the record by adding this element
to the “checklist” form discussed
under the corrective action of SE
1.
While students do attend
Team meetings, as
evidenced by review of the
records, the district is still
not consistently addressing
the requirements regarding
transfer of rights.
The district will provide the
Department a list of students who
will require notification of a
transfer or rights and copies of the
notification provided to the
parents and students for each of
these students.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 5 of 43
A copy of the checklist with this
component must be provided by
May 30, 2007.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s)
of
Verification

Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

The district is still not
consistently informing the
student one year before
his/her 18th birthday of the
right to make all decisions
related to special education
programs and services upon
reaching the age of 18.
The district is still not
consistently implementing
procedures to obtain consent
from the student to continue
the student's special
education program.
participation
and consent
at age of
majority
SE 11
School district
response to
parental
request for
independent
educational
evaluation
Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
No
Student record
review
Yes
Interviews
Documentation
provided by the
district
As evidence that it has a
policy for implementing the
requirements surrounding
independent evaluations, the
district provided a copy (as it
did in June of 2005) of 603
CMR 28.04 and letters and
contracts to be signed by
evaluators. The district did
not provide a written
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 6 of 43
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Copies of the administrative data
page of each of these students
must be provided as well. The
corrective action is due May 30,
2007.
The district must provide a written
procedure (with all the required
elements) it follows for requesting
an independent evaluation.
The district must also provide the
Department with a sample of the
parent letter (with all the required
elements) it provides to parents to
explain that procedure.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s)
of
Verification

Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
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
procedure or letters to be
sent to parents explaining
the process for requesting an
independent evaluation as
required.
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
provision of
IEP to parent
No
Student
record review
Yes
Records review indicates
that the district is not
providing the IEP either
immediately or within three
to five days after the Team
meeting.
The district will provide the rate
of compliance with this
requirement for all IEPs and
placement developed from
September 2006 through May
2006. The district should identify
the student’s name, the date of the
Team meeting, the date of the
provision of the IEP and the date
of the provision of the placement
form on the spreadsheet provided
to the Department. The corrective
action is due May 30, 2007.
SE 20
Least
restrictive
No
Student
record review
Yes
Record reviews and
Interviews indicate that the
Team does not consistently
As part of the district’s training in
SE 1, the district should include a
component on IEP development.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 7 of 43
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective

Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Interviews
program
selected
SE 22
IEP
Method(s)
of
Verification
No
Interviews
Yes
Implementation
and
availability
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
state why the removal of the
student from the regular
education classroom is
considered critical.
Because of a lack of
programs to address the
needs of special needs
students, it is difficult to
determine whether the least
restrictive environment has
been selected for a given
student.
Once again, the district should
identify the trainer and activities
conducted as well as provide the
attendance sheet of the workshop.
The IEP, and information
surrounding teacher and
provider responsibilities
related to the
implementation of the IEP,
are not consistently provided
to the indicated
teachers/providers.
As part of the district’s training in
SE 1, the district should develop a
written process or procedure for
ensuring that the IEP and/or
information surrounding teacher
and provider responsibilities
related to the implementation of
the IEP are consistently provided
to responsible teachers or
providers. The written procedures,
and other materials along with
scheduled training dates are to be
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 8 of 43
The district will provide samples
of 10 (ten) IEPs with the
accompanying N1 notices for
review by the Department. The
corrective action is due May 30,
2007.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s)
of
Verification

Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
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
provided to the Department and
are due May 30, 2007.
SE 25
Parental
consent
No
Student
record review
Yes
Records still did not
consistently contain notices
regarding consent to
evaluate (N1).
The checklist developed for
inclusion in the student record for
monitoring and tracking the
required documents should
include a check off for the N1
notices for each IEP and/or
placement page, the consent form
and for tracking the signed
consent form. The corrective
action is due May 30, 2007.
SE 6
Determination
of Transition
Services
No
Student
record review
Yes
During the Onsite Mid-cycle
review of student records it
was evident that, despite
continued notification over
the last three years of the
need to do so, t he district is
not addressing the
requirements regarding
needed transition services
As part of the training described in
SE 1, the district should include a
component on the requirements
surrounding transition services for
students 14 and older
The district will identify the staff
persons responsible for
monitoring the inclusion of
materials into the student record
Interviews
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 9 of 43
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and attendance
No
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation
No
Student
record review
for students age 14, or age
16 (or younger as
appropriate). IEP's do not
consistently include
information regarding
services to promote the
movement of the student
from school to post school
activities.
and develop a checklist that
ensures that all required elements
of notifying students regarding
transition services are documented
for each student.
Staff who insert information into
the student record and are
responsible for completing the
checklists will initial or sign the
checklists.
The Department will arrange an
onsite review to ensure that the
checklists are completed and the
corresponding materials are
contained in the student record.
The Corrective Action is due May
30, 2007.
Yes
While there is evidence that
the district has made efforts
to ensure that someone with
the authority to commit the
resources of the district
attends every Team meeting,
it is very evident looking at
records, that regular
education and vocational
teachers are seldom, if ever,
included in Team meetings.
Interviews of regular
education and vocational
staff confirm this and lack of
coverage of class time is
cited as the reason for this.
As a part of the training described
in SE 1, the district will develop
and implement a procedure for
ensuring that there is appropriate
coverage for regular education and
vocational teachers to attend Team
meetings as required or that a
schedule is developed and
implemented whereby Team
meetings are held at a time when
attendance is possible for regular
education and vocational teachers
without coverage. A description
of the procedure developed by the
district will be submitted to the
Department by April 30, 2007.
Yes
The district, as evidenced in
the student records, does not
consistently conduct full
three year re-evaluations as
required by federal law, and
The district will identify all
students who are scheduled for a
re-evaluation this school year. The
Department will arrange to
conduct a record review and
interviews
Student
record review
interviews
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 10 of 43
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s)
of
Verification
No
Student
record review
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
does not in all cases
implement re-evaluation
procedures when it is
suspected that a student is no
longer eligible for special
education services.
examine a random sample of the
identified records to ensure reevaluations are completed. The
onsite review will be arranged
with the district after the review of
the district’s document submission
in May 2007.
Criterion
Determined
to be
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
Yes
Review of student records
indicates that the district is
not sending out progress
reports as often as it sends
out reports for non-disabled
students. Progress reports
sent out do not always
include information
pertinent to stated goals and
often do not include
information on the extent to
which the student's progress
is sufficient to meet those
goals.
Sample progress reports
developed for the first quarter and
the corresponding IEPs will be
provided the Department for
review.
interviews
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 11 of 43
The district should also add a
section of the record checklist to
track the provision of progress
reports.
Finally, the development of
progress reports should be a
component of the Department’s
required training outlined in SE 1.
The districts response for this
criterion is due May 30, 2007.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 12 of 43
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s)
of
Verification
SE 14
Review and
revision of
IEPs
No
Student
record review
SE 18A
IEP
Development
and Content
No
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
Criterion
Determined
to be
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
Yes
Not all IEP's appear to have
been reviewed annually, on
or before the anniversary
date of the implementation
of the IEP to consider the
student's progress and to
review, revise, or develop a
new IEP or refer the student
for re-evaluation, as
appropriate.
See SE 1 regarding the corrective
action required of the district.
Yes
The district does not
regularly provide specially
designed instruction which is
not based on the availability
of such instruction. For
instance, though extremely
low reading levels are a
feature of much of the
special education population,
there is no specially
designed instruction in
reading and no staff who
have expertise or training in
this area. Students who
continue to have difficulty
are routinely placed in the
PASS program after school
which consists, in the main,
The district must bring in an
outside evaluator to review the
district's special education needs,
and the programs and staff the
district has available to meet those
needs. Based on this review, the
district must develop and
implement programs which will
meet the needs of the special
education student population and
must train staff appropriately or
replace staff, as needed, with
appropriately trained instructors.
interviews
Student
record review
Interviews
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 13 of 43
The district must advise the
Department in writing of its plans
and provide the name and
credentials of the evaluator it
SE 20
Least
restrictive
program
selected
No
SE 25B
Resolution of
disputes
No
Student
record review
of homework help. Record
reviews revealed that many
IEP's were outdated or
expired and some contained
gaps of between 6 months
and a year. Goals were often
not appropriate or
measurable and were
sometimes carried over from
IEP period to IEP period.
intends to use by May 30, 2007.
Regarding IEP content and
timelines see SE 1 regarding the
corrective action required of the
district.
Yes
Record reviews and
Interviews indicate that the
Team does not consistently
state why the removal of the
student from the regular
education classroom is
considered critical.
Because of a lack of
programs to address the
needs of special needs
students, it is difficult to
determine whether the least
restrictive environment has
been selected for a given
student.
The district must bring in an
outside evaluator to review the
district's special education needs,
and the programs and staff the
district has available to meet those
needs. Based on this review, the
district must develop and
implement programs that will
meet the needs of the special
education student population and
must train staff appropriately or
replace staff, as needed, with
appropriately trained instructors.
Yes
In reviewing the student
records, there were letters to
parents advising parents of
the district's intention to
send unsigned IEP's to The
Bureau of Special Education
Appeals if the parent did not
sign the IEP. No indication
of follow up was filed in the
student record and The IEP
was still unsigned.
The procedures for contacting
parents who have not signed IEPs
and reporting rejected or unsigned
IEPs should be a component of the
Department’s required training
outlined in SE 1. The districts
response for this criterion is due
May 30, 2007.
Interviews
Student
record review
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 14 of 43
SE 29
No
Communications
Student
record review
Yes
in English and
the primary
language of the
home
No evidence exists in the
records to suggest that the
district has a process in place
to translate, and provide to
parents, IEPs and Progress
Reports.
The district must provide a
description of the process or
procedure it uses to ensure the
provision of translated IEP's and
Progress Reports to appropriate
parents.
The districts response for this
criterion is due May 30, 2007.
In addition, the department will
choose 10 (ten) student records to
review during an onsite review.
The onsite review will be arranged
with the district after the review of
the district’s document submission
in May 2007.
SE 30
Notice of
procedural
safeguards
Yes
Documents
provided by
the district
Interviews
Copies of both the Interim Notice
of Procedural Safeguards and the
Notificación de Proteccion de
Procedimiento (interino) were
provided along with assurances that
they were provided to parents of
students with disabilities at least
once a year, also upon request,
upon the student's initial referral for
evaluation and not later than the
date on which a decision is made to
take a disciplinary action resulting
in a change of placement.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 15 of 43
SE 34
Continuum of
alternative
services and
placements
No
Student
record review
Yes
Interviews
Documentation
provided by the
district
The district did not provide a
list of programs and services
available within GLRVTS.
Interviews and record
reviews indicate that the
district does not provide a
continuum of services and
placements for vocational
education and while some
students do now have access
to what could be considered
state of the art equipment in
order to gain competencies,
(Kurzweil) the equipment is
incomplete and can not be
utilized appropriately in all
instances where it might be
useful (i.e. audio translation
of shop manuals).
There are no programs
available to address specific
needs in math and reading
that are issues for a
significant number of special
education students.
GLRVTS accepts students
from sub-separate settings
but does not provide such a
setting within the district.
Accommodations written
into the IEP are seldom
provided in the vocational
setting.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 16 of 43
The district must review its
special education needs, and the
programs and staff the district has
available to meet those needs.
Based on this review, the district
must develop and implement
programs that will meet the needs
of the special education student
population and must train staff
appropriately or replace staff, as
needed, with appropriately trained
instructors.
The district must advise the
Department in writing of its plans
by May 30, 2007.
SE 36
IEP
No
implementation,
Student
record review
Yes
Interviews
accountability
and financial
responsibility
Review of the records and
interviews indicate that the
district is not consistently
overseeing the full
implementation of all
student IEPs that have been
consented to by parents. The
district has not allocated the
necessary resources or
support (including training)
to ensure effective
management of such
oversight.
See also SE 22
See SE 1 regarding the corrective
action required of the district.
The district must review the its
special education needs, and the
programs and staff the district has
available to meet those needs.
Based on this review, the district
must develop and implement
programs that will meet the needs
of the special education student
population and must train staff
appropriately or replace staff, as
needed, with appropriately trained
instructors.
The district must advise the
Department in writing of its plans
by May 30, 2007.
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
more than 10
days
No
Student
Records
Student records and
documents provided to the
Department as well as
Interviews indicate that
while there are procedures
for suspensions of students
with disabilities of more
than 10 days in place,
findings are not always in
keeping with the facts and
procedures are not always
strictly followed.
Documents
provided by
the district
Interviews
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 17 of 43
The district must review its
processes and procedures
surrounding suspensions and
discipline for students with
disabilities and provide training
for appropriate personnel
concerning those procedures and
the consistent application of the
procedures. The district must
provide the Department with the
agenda, a list of attendees and any
materials used in the training by
May 30, 2007.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s)
of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
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
Yes
Record reviews reveal that
the district does not
consistently use qualified
staff and appropriate
procedures to administer
assessments to identify
students who are limitedEnglish-language proficient
and assess their level of
English proficiency.
The district must provide to the
Department a list of qualified
staff, along with copies of their
certification or licensure, and a
written copy of the procedures it
uses to administer assessments to
identify students who are limitedEnglish-language proficient and
assess their level of English
proficiency by May 30, 2007.
Civil Rights
(MOA) and
Other General
Education
Requirements
MOA 1
Identification
of limited
English
proficient
students
No
Student
record
reviews
Interviews
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 18 of 43
MOA 2
Program
modifications
and support
services for
limitedEnglishproficient
students
Student
record
reviews
The district has provided a
statement about how it is
implementing the ELE
regulations, program
modifications, and support
systems for LEP students but
the statement is incomplete
and student records reviewed
do not reflect consistent use
of the procedures indicated
in the statement.
Interviews
ELE Program
Information
Binder
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 19 of 43
The district must conduct an
evaluation about how it is
implementing ELE regulations,
,program modifications, and
support systems for LEP students
and submit a comprehensive
report by May 30, 2007.
In addition, the Department will
choose 10 (ten) student records to
review during an onsite review.
The onsite review will be arranged
with the district after the review of
the district’s document submission
in May 2007.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s)
of
Verification
MOA 6
Availability of
programs for
pregnant
students
No
Document
review
MOA 15
Nondiscriminatory
administration
of
scholarships,
prizes and
athletic awards
Yes
Document
review
MOA 25
Institutional
self evaluation
No
Interviews
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
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
Yes
The district has not provided
a copy of their approved
pregnancy policy.
The district must provide the
Department with a copy of their
approved policy that meets all the
legal requirements.
Yes
The district did not submit a
copy of the district's self
evaluation ensuring that all
students regardless of race,
color, sex, religion, national
origin, limited English
proficiency, sexual
orientation, disability, or
homelessness have equal
access to all programs.
The district must submit a copy of
the district's self evaluation
ensuring that all students
regardless of race, color, sex,
religion, national origin, limited
English proficiency, sexual
orientation, disability, or
homelessness have equal access to
all programs.
The district provided copies of the
selection criteria for each of the
prizes awards and scholarships
listed.
Document
review
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 20 of 43
Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical School District
English Learner Education (ELE) Requirements
Mid-Cycle Review Comments and Corrective Action Based on the Department’s Review Of Local Self-Assessments
(Please refer to full text of 2005-2006 CPR-ELE legal requirements and related implementation guidance at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/instrument/chapter71A.doc )
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
ELE 1
Annual
Assessment
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
The district did not submit an ELE Self-Assessment
The district must submit a Self-Assessment
ELE 2
MCAS
Participation
Interviews and record reviews indicate that limited English
proficient students participate in the MCAS exam as required
and in accordance with Department guidelines.
ELE 3
Initial
Identification
Documents provided by the district contain copies of the
Home Language Survey in English and Spanish, but student
records do not support the consistent use of the Home
Language survey or consistent procedures for screening of
potential LEP students.
ELE 4
Waiver
Procedures
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
Please submit a description of the procedures that the district has in place to
actively seek to identify limited English proficient students
Documents provided by the district contain copies of the
waiver, and a description of waiver implementation practices.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 21 of 43
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
ELE 5
Program
Placement and
Structure
The district provides a rudimentary description of
implementation practices but does not provide evidence of
teacher licensure or professional development for teachers
providing SEI.
ELE 6
Program Exit
and Readiness
The district provided a description of adequate exit procedures
for English language learners.
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
The district must supply to the Department a comprehensive description of
implementation practices including evidence of teacher licensure, both SEI
teachers and English as a second language teachers, the district English language
development curriculum, and any assessment data in use for planning and
implementing educational programs for students at different instructional levels
by May 30, 2007.
ELE 7
Parent
Involvement
The district did not provide a description of a mechanism or
implementation practices it uses to include parents or
guardians of LEP students in matters pertaining to their
children's education. The district did provide copies of ELE
parent reports in both English and Spanish.
Please provide the Department with a description of implementation practices,
methods for parent-teacher communication, and opportunities available to
parents to become involved in their children's education by May 30, 2007.
ELE 8
Declining Entry
to a Program
The district did not provide a description of implementation
practices.
The district must provide a description of the supports available and
implementation practices it has in place to support students whose parents have
declined entry into a sheltered English immersion, two-way bilingual or other
ELE program by May 30, 2007.
The district did not provide a description of implementation
practices, class rosters(including student initials, home
language, years in the program, current language proficiency),
or English language development curriculum for each
instructional group.
The district must provide a description of implementation practices, class rosters
(including student initials, home language, years in the program, current
language proficiency), or English language development curriculum for each
instructional group by May 30, 2007.
ELE 9
Instructional
Grouping
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 22 of 43
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
ELE 10
Parental
Notification
District failed to provide description of implementation
practices or sample parent notification in the home
language(s). No parent notification was noted in the records
that were reviewed. Providing the handbook does not give
parents specific information about their student.
The district must supply a description of implementation practice and copies of
parent notification provided to parents concerning their particular student's
program by May 30, 2007.
ELE 11
Equal Access to
Academic
Programs and
Services
The district did not provide a description of implementation
practices.
The district must provide the department with a description of implementation
practices detailing the manner in which the district ensures that LEP students are
afforded the full range of academic opportunities and supports provided to nonLEP students by May 30, 2007.
ELE 12
Equal Access to
Nonacademic
and Extracurricular
Programs
While the district provided examples of communications to
students (in the home language) regarding access to all
programs and services and a list of all non-academic
programs, services and school sponsored extracurricular
activities, it did not provide a description of implementation
practices.
The district must provide the department with a description of implementation
practices by May 30, 2007.
ELE 13
Follow-up
Support
Exit procedures were outlined under different criteria, but the
information provided was not comprehensive. Information
provided for this criterion was a list of students and parent
addresses labeled "Parent Conferences".
The district must provide a comprehensive description of follow up policies and
procedures in place by May 30, 2007.
ELE 14
Licensure and
Fluency
Requirements
The district did not provide a description of ongoing practices,
a description of the criteria used to determine English
language teacher fluency including assessment procedures, or
copies of teacher licenses or waivers.
The district must provide a description of ongoing practices, a description of the
criteria used to determine English language teacher fluency including assessment
procedures, or copies of teacher licenses or waivers by May 30, 2007.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 23 of 43
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
ELE 15
Professional
Development
Requirements
ELE 16
Equitable
Facilities (To be reviewed
during next
CPR visit)
ELE 17
DOE Data
Submission
Requirements
and Program
Evaluation
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
The district did not provide documentation for this criterion.
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
Please provide the Department with a copy of the district's professional
development plan and a list of relevant topics covered at recent professional
development opportunities along with a roster of those who attended by May 30,
2007.
Facilities appear to be equitable.
The district did not provide documentation for this criterion.
Please provide the Department with a description of the district's implementation
practices. Please also provide a description of the district's evaluation activities,
which should include examining the English language proficiency test data of its
ELE students, both individually and in aggregate, and a description of any
program changes made in response to these evaluation activities by May 30,
2007.
ELE 18 Records
of LEP
Students(To be reviewed
during next
CPR visit.)
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 24 of 43
Career/Vocational
Technical Education
(CVTE) Requirements
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined to
be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification

P2
Academic and
career/vocational
assessments
administered to
incoming students are
used in planning
students’ entire
academic and technical
program of study.
Student
Records,
Interviews
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was Implemented
and has been Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined Not
to have been
Implemented or
Not to have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Not
Implemented
Basis of Determination that
Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or Ineffective
Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Documentation and
interviews indicate that
with the exception of the
exploratory assessment
used for initial program
placement, assessment
results are not being used
to plan a students entire
program of study and are
not routinely shared with
parents/guardians, teachers
and/or guidance
counselors.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 25 of 43
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for Implementation, and
Progress Reporting Requirements
The district will develop and
implement a system to utilize
assessment results in planning a
students program of study along
with a system to share the results
with parents/guardians, teachers
and counselors.
The district will submit
documentation to the Department
that this requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
P3 & P4 /
CVTE 3
Methods of measuring
academic and technical
competency gain and
competency attainment
are appropriate.
Student
Records,
Interviews
Not
Implemented
The district has varying
methods of measuring
students’ technical skill
acquisition. While the district
has the capability to utilize the
SkillsPlus to record knowledge
and skill acquisition,
interviews and documentation
revealed that only some
programs fully utilize the
software.
The district will develop and
implement a system to measure
students’ technical skill
acquisition.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
With the exception of
graduating seniors, there was
no evidence that
documentation of knowledge
and skill acquisition is sent
home for parent/guardian
review.
The district will develop and
implement a system to
communicate knowledge and
skill acquisition to
parents/guardians.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
There was no evidence of
regular onsite monitoring of
cooperative education. (See
CVTE 11)
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 26 of 43
The district will develop and
implement a system to conduct
onsite monitoring of
cooperative education. The
district will develop and
implement a system to measure
the knowledge and skills
acquired by students on
cooperative education.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
P 5 / CVTE 4
Career and technical
education students are
appropriately identified
for Perkins-funded
services and activities.
(Section 135)
Not
Implemented
The district does not have a
system in place to
appropriately identify students
who may require support
services in order to reach the
district and state performance
goals.
The district will develop and
implement a system to
appropriately identify students
who may require support
services and provide the
services to students.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
P6 / CVTE 5
Special population
students are appropriately
identified for services.
(Section 134)
Not
Implemented
Aside from codes on class
rosters, the district did not
provide evidence that special
populations are identified for
services.
The district will develop and
implement a system to formally
identify students who are
members of special populations
and provide them with
appropriate services.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
There was no evidence that
student information regarding
special population status is
provided to core subject and
technical teachers in a timely
manner to ensure the
provision of appropriate
services. Further, technical
teachers were not always
invited to attend IEP meetings,
when appropriate.
The district will develop and
implement a system to
communicate appropriate
student services to core subject
and technical teachers and
provide services to students
who are members of special
populations.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
The district will develop and
implement a system to include
technical teachers at student IEP
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 27 of 43
meetings, as appropriate. The
district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 28 of 43
P 7 / CVTE 6
Parents, students,
teachers, representatives
of business and industry,
labor organizations,
advisory committees
and/or school councils,
representatives of special
populations, and other
interested individuals are
involved in the
development,
implementation and
evaluation of career and
technical programs.
Documentat
ion and
interviews
Partially
Implemented
The district provided
documentation regarding
program advisory committees
for 7 of the district’s 19 CVTE
programs. The district did not
provide evidence that all
program advisory committees,
as well as the General
Advisory Committee, meet
regularly and that the
committees include required
representation.
The district will schedule and
conduct a minimum of two
program advisory committee
meetings yearly for each of the
programs. The district will
schedule and conduct at least
one General Advisory
Committee meeting yearly.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
The review of documentation
and staff interviews indicated
that while some of the
district’s general
announcements are translated,
the district does not translate
all counseling materials and
information regarding
recruitment and cooperative
education.
The district will translate the
materials. The district will
submit documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Documentation and interviews
indicate that the district’s
admission policy is not being
implemented as approved by
the Department. For example,
the district’s website states,
“all applicants must take the
Iowa Test of Basic Skills”,
while the approved Admission
Policy specifies, “all accepted
students for the ninth grade
The district will immediately
implement the Department
approved admission policy.
Only “accepted” students will
participate in testing. The
district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: Immediate.
(Section 135)
P 8 / CVTE 7
Appropriate information
concerning
career/vocational
technical education
programs is provided to
students and to their
parents/guardians at least
once a year before
students enter the
programs, and in no case
later than the beginning
of the ninth grade. Such
information shall include:
(a) the opportunities
available in
career/vocational
technical education;
(b) eligibility
requirements for
enrollment in
career/vocational
Documentat
ion and
interviews
Not
Implemented
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 29 of 43
will take the Iowa Test …”
technical programs;
(c) specific courses that
are available;
(d) employment and/or
further education
opportunities; and
(e) placement.
The admission policy is not
currently made available on
the school’s website and there
was no evidence that each
student and parent/guardian
received a copy of the
approved admission policy.
The district will translate the
admission policy on the
website and develop a system
for students, parents/guardians
to receive a copy.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
The district requires some
transfer students (those already
enrolled in the district seeking
to transfer into a different
CVTE program) to take an
assessment test. However, the
cooperative education
coordinator conducts transfer
requests for students in the
cooperative education. Both
are in conflict with the
district’s approved admission
policy.
The district will follow the
Department approved
admission policy when
conducting transfer requests.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: Immediate.
The district runs a weeklong,
pre-exploratory program that is
not outlined in the approved
admissions policy.
The district will revise the
admission policy to include the
pre-exploratory program. The
district will submit the new
policy to the Department for
review and approval.
Due date: Immediate.
The district is currently using
an admission application that
is not acceptable.
The district will revise the
admission application to be in
conformance with applicable
laws, regulations and
guidelines.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 30 of 43
The district will submit to the
Department the revised
application for review.
Due date: Immediate.
The following statement
appears in the Student
Handbook: “any student who
fails to be promoted at the end
of the school year must reapply
to the school”, as well as
“failure to attend summer
school will result in the student
having to reapply to the school
by filling out a new
application…”
The district will remove
statements from the Student
Handbook. The district will
submit to the Department a
copy of the revised Student
Handbook.
Due date: Immediate.
The district did not provide
evidence of a process for
providing career guidance and
counseling, particularly for
students whose first language
is not English.
The district will provide formal
career guidance and counseling
services to all students,
particularly students whose first
language is not English.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
Documentation and interviews
revealed that some information
regarding CVTE programs and
activities are not made
available in languages other
than English, such as report
cards, progress reports and
demonstrated knowledge and
The district will translate
materials and submit to the
Department copies of the
translated materials.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 31 of 43
skill acquisition summaries
provided to seniors upon
graduation.
P 9 & P 10 / CVTE 8
Strategies to improve
academic and technical
skills for all students
exist.
Documentat
ion and
interviews
Not
Implemented
Civil rights training has not
been provided this school
year.
The district will conduct civil
rights training. The district will
submit documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
Based on the Student
Handbook and interviews, the
district’s technical programs
do not currently count as
credit towards the local
graduation requirements.
The district will realign the
graduation and promotion
requirements to recognize the
district’s technical programs.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
Aside from some Freshman
Academy student portfolios,
the district did not provide
evidence that all students are
required to demonstrate
proficiency with application
software in both their
academic and technical
curricula.
(See also P11)
The district will require
students to demonstrate
proficiency with application
software in their academic and
technical programs.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
Based on interviews and
documentation, there are
limited support services
available to assist special
populations in acquiring
knowledge and skills in the
students’ respective program
The district will provide
support services to assist
students who are members of
special populations in acquiring
knowledge and skills in their
respective programs. The
district will ensure that students
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 32 of 43
and some students with IEPs
are removed from their
technical related theory class
to receive pullout special
education support.
with disabilities participate in
their technical related theory
class.
The district will submit to the
Department documentation that
this requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
The district did not provide
evidence that information
from Individualized Education
Programs (IEPs) is distributed
during the first three weeks of
school, or that 504
Accommodations Plans are
disseminated by guidance
counselors during the first
week of classroom and shop
instruction.
The district will implement a
process to distribute
Individualized Education
Programs and 504
Accommodations Plans within
required timelines to
appropriate staff.
The district will submit to the
Department documentation that
this requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 33 of 43
P 11 / CVTE 9
Technology is used to
improve academic and
technical education.
Documentat
ion and
interviews
Partially
Implemented
Documentation and interviews
indicated that while some
programs utilize the SkillsPlus
system (a computerized
software system) to measure
technical skill attainment, use
of the software is not fully
implemented and varies by
program.
The district will implement a
system to measure the
knowledge and skills acquired
by students.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
(See P3/P4 above)
Due date: May 30, 2007
The district’s Professional
Development Plan, relating
specifically to technology, has
not been fully implemented as
outlined in the district’s
Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
and most recent CAP Progress
Report. For example, evidence
of pre- and post-test student
assessment on related
technology skills was not
provided.
The district will fully
implement the Professional
Development Plan, relating
specifically to technology.
The district will develop and
implement a system to assess
students’ technology skills
through pre- and post-testing.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Despite some documented
Freshman Academy
technology integration
projects, the computer literacy
of all students is not routinely
assessed and students are not
required to attain computer
literacy.
(See P 9 & P 10)
The district will require
students to demonstrate
proficiency with computer
applications software in their
academic and technical
curricula. The district will
submit documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
(See P 9 & P 10 / CVTE 8
Due date: May 30, 2007
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
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P 12 / CVTE 10
Linkages between
secondary and
postsecondary programs
(Section 135)
Documentat
ion and
interviews
Partially
Implemented
The district did not provide
documentation of Accuplacer
testing and results for students
participating in the Tech-Prep,
as outlined in the district’s
Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
and most recent CAP Progress
Report.
The district will implement an
Accuplacer testing process and
provide Accuplacer testing for
students participating in the
Tech-Prep.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
Documentation and interviews
indicated that the Teachers as
Advisors program, meant to
provide assistance for all
students in postsecondary
planning, has not been
implemented.
The district will provide
postsecondary planning
assistance to all students.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
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P 13
All students are provided
with a strong experience
in and an understanding
of all aspects of a modern
industry
CVTE 11
Cooperative Education is
in compliance with 603
CMR 4.03 (7).
Documentat
ion and
interviews
Partially
Implemented
Documentat
ion and
interviews
New Issue
The district did not provide
evidence that all technical
programs included all aspects
of the industry.
While the district provided
SkillsPlus competency lists for
a few programs, they did not
include all aspects of the
industry, as outlined in the
district’s Corrective Action
Plan (CAP) and most recent
CAP Progress Report.
The district will align all
technical programs to the
Vocational Technical
Education Frameworks to
provide all students with a
strong experience in and an
understanding of all aspects of
modern industry. The district
will submit documentation to
the Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Based on documentation, there
was no evidence that the
district’s cooperative education
program fully implements the
state CORI law.
The district will develop and
implement a system for
applying the state Criminal
Offender Record Information
(CORI) law.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: Immediate.
Documentation and interviews
revealed that the districts
cooperative
education
coordinator is also a full time
teacher, which contributes to
the
district’s
irregular
cooperative education onsite
visits and general lack of
appropriate supervision of
students
participating
in
cooperative education.
The district will develop and
implement procedures for the
cooperative education program
coordinator (or teachers) to
provide structured supervision
of students participating in
cooperative education. The
district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
There was no evidence that
students are provided safety
orientation from the employer
when beginning the
The district will develop and
implement a process to ensure
that all students receive safety
orientation from all cooperative
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 36 of 43
cooperative education.
education employers.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Based on interviews, the
cooperative education
program does not provide
students with technical credit,
because the district currently
does not offer credit for it’s
technical programs.
The district will realign the
graduation and promotion
requirements to recognize and
award technical credit to
students participating in
cooperative education. The
district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 37 of 43
P 14
Instructional Supplies
and equipment meet the
demands of the
workforce.
P 15 / CVTE 12
The required 15%
minimum expenditure is
being expended for
activities consistent with
the two priorities of the
Massachusetts State Plan
for Professional
Development.
Documentat
ion and
interviews
Documentat
ion and
interviews
Not
Implemented
Not
Implemented
Based on documentation and
interviews, the program
advisory committees and
cluster leaders complete a
self-study and/or an annual
programmatic review form for
each CVTE program, however
there was no evidence that the
information provided has been
verified and/or analyzed by
the district’s administration
and used to determine future
professional development or
program planning needs.
The district will create a system
to review advisory committee
and cluster leader program
recommendations for creation
of future professional
development needs.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Based on documentation, the
district did not provide
evidence of the professional
development of technical
teachers’ efforts to increase
their industry specific
knowledge.
The district has not provided
the Department with records
of technical courses, seminars
and licensing activities taken
by teachers, as outlined in the
district’s Corrective Action
Plan (CAP) and most recent
CAP Progress Report.
The district will provide
documentation of the
professional development
activities of technical
instructors relative to current
industry knowledge, courses,
seminars and licensing
activities. The district will
submit documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
There was no evidence that
staff have been provided with
the appropriate safety or civil
rights training this school
year. (See P 8)
The district will conduct staff
professional development on
the school safety plan and civil
rights. The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met.
Due date: May 30, 2007
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
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P 16 / CVTE 16
Individuals who are
members of special
populations… are
provided with equal
access to recruitment
activities, admission and
opportunities to a full
range of courses of study
without regard to race…
Not
Implemented
Section 122, Chapter 76,
section 5 [Chapter 622],
Title IX
Documentation and interviews
indicate that the district’s
admission policy is not being
implemented as approved by
the Department. For example,
the district’s website states,
“all applicants must take the
Iowa Test of Basic Skills”,
while the approved admission
policy specifies, “all accepted
students for the ninth grade
will take the Iowa Test …”
The district will immediately
implement the Department
approved admission policy.
Only “accepted” students will
participate in testing. The
district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: Immediate.
The admission policy is not
currently made available on
the school’s website and there
was no evidence that each
student and parent/guardian
received a copy of the
approved admission policy.
(See P8)
The district will translate the
Admission Policy on the
website and develop a system
for students, parents/guardians
to receive a copy. The district
will submit documentation to
the Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 39 of 43
Based on interviews and
documentation, some
information regarding C/VTE
programs and activities are not
made available in languages
other than English, such as
report cards, progress reports
and the competency skill
attainment summaries that are
provided to seniors upon
graduation (See P8)
There was no evidence that
special population (students
with disabilities, limited
English proficient, nontraditional by gender) student
information is provided to
core subject and technical
teachers in a timely manner to
ensure the provision of
appropriate accommodations
and services, as outlined in the
district’s Corrective Action
Plan (CAP) and most recent
CAP Progress Report. Further,
technical teachers are not
invited to attend IEP meetings,
when appropriate.
Based on documentation,
some students wishing to
transfer into a different CVTE
program are required to take
an assessment prior to the
transfer approval, which is not
outlined in the district’s
approved Admission Policy.
The district has recently
P 17 / CVTE 14
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 40 of 43
The district will translate
materials and submit to the
Department copies of the
translated materials.
(See P8)
Due date: May 30, 2007
The district will implement a
process to distribute special
population student information
to core subject and technical
teachers in a timely manner to
ensure appropriate
accommodations and services
are provided to students.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
The district will follow the
Department approved
admission policy when
conducting transfer requests.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
(See P8/CVTE 7)
Due date: Immediate.
Partially
Implemented
Programs and services
exist that support student
participation in and
completion of
nontraditional training
and employment
activities. (Section 135)
The district will identify and
service students enrolled in
programs that prepare them for
careers nontraditional for their
gender. The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
There are no alternative
programs at GLRVTSD.
P 18 / CVTE 15
The needs of students in
alternative education
programs are adequately
addressed.
Section 122
P 19 / CVTE 16
All career and technical
education staff in Perkins
eligible programs are
appropriately certified,
approved, or otherwise
qualified. (M.G.L. c.74s.
18s, M.G.L. c.71.s.38G)
implemented a support group
for students enrolled in
programs that would prepare
them for careers that are
nontraditional for their gender,
as outlined in the district’s
Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
and most recent CAP Progress
Report. However, despite
establishing a nontraditional
support committee and
identifying two advisors in
June 2005, support activities
were only implemented
beginning February 2006.
Further, it was not clear how
the district identifies and
selects students to participate
in the support group.
Interviews,
Vocational
Technical
Education
Staff
Register
(VTESR)
New Issue
The Department was unable to
determine if all technical
teachers were working in the
appropriate licensure areas due
to reporting inaccuracies in the
Vocational Technical
Education Staff Register
(VTESR). For example,
several staff could not be
located on the VTESR,
including administrative staff.
Edits to VTESR are necessary
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 41 of 43
The district will correct the
Vocational Technical Education
Staff Register and confirm that
all staff is appropriately
licensed. The district will
submit documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
to appropriately record all
technical staff credentials and
current teaching areas.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 42 of 43
P 20 / CVTE 17
Instructional facilities
meet the demands of the
workforce including
those for state of the art
facilities as well as for a
healthy, safe
environment. (Section
122 and Sec. 135)
Partially
Implemented
The district did provide
evidence of a recently created
crisis plan, a tentative proposal
between the district and the
Carlyle Consulting Group, Inc.
to provide school wide OSHA
consulting services and a
preliminary report from the
Division of Occupational
Safety review of two programs
(automotive collision repair
and refinishing and automotive
technology).
There was no evidence of an
active Health and Safety
Committee or Inspection
Team, a safety and health plan
checklist or documentation of
a health and safety plan
specific to each technical
program, as outlined in the
district’s Corrective Action
Plan (CAP) and most recent
CAP Progress Report.
There was no evidence
provided that all staff members
have received recent training
in health and safety topics.
Based on interviews,
observation and review of the
Facilities Evaluation Forms
(completed by the district for
most technical programs),
several health and safety
concerns were noted including:
 The ventilation in the
Carpentry program is
insufficient and some
of the tools in the
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 43 of 43
The district will provide
evidence of the recently created
crisis plan, the status of the
tentative OSHA proposal with
Carlyle Consulting Group, and
the preliminary report from the
Division of Occupational Safety
review of automotive collision
repair and refinishing and
automotive technology.
The district will submit this
documentation to the
Department.
Due date: May 30, 2007
The district will provide
evidence of the Health and
Safety Committee/Inspection
Team, safety and health plan
checklist or program specific
Health and Safety Plans.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date. May 30, 2007
The district will conduct health
and safety training for all staff.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
The district will address all
health and safety concerns
noted immediately.



program are missing
the dust collecting
bags.
The Plumbing
program did not have
a fire blanket or an
emergency shut off
valve.
Emergency Exit
Procedures are posted
only in English.
Not all shops had
emergency phone
numbers posted in a
visible location.
During lunch periods, several
students eat and socialize in
the hallways, obstructing
passage, compromising
sanitation and presenting
potential safety hazards.
Greater Lowell Regional Vocational School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 2, 2007
Page 44 of 43
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department regarding each
item.
Due date: Immediate.
P 21 / CVTE 18
The school has
developed and
implemented a system of
program evaluation that
includes, at a minimum,
the Perkins four core
indicators.
Documentat
ion and
interviews
New Issue
Based on interviews and
documentation provided by the
district, there was no evidence
of a fully implemented system
of program evaluation that
includes an analysis of the four
core indicators.
The district will develop and
implement a system of program
evaluation that includes the four
core indicators.
The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
P 21 / CVTE 19
Student records contain
the items listed in the
Perkins Student Record
Review Checklist.
Documentat
ion and
interviews
New Issue
Several student records lacked
documentation. For example,
while all files contained a
career/vocational assessment,
there was no evidence that it
was used in planning any part
of the students’ technical
program or that it was shared
with teachers or
parents/guardians.
The district will develop and
implement a system to maintain
all required items in student
records. The district will submit
documentation to the
Department that this
requirement has been met
Due date: May 30, 2007
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