Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4096
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
May 15, 2013
Susan Hollins, Superintendent
Greenfield Public Schools
141 Davis Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Hollins:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district in February 2013. During the Mid-Cycle Review the
Department monitored selected special education criteria to determine your district’s compliance
with special education laws and regulations. The review consisted of information gathered from
one or more of the following activities: interviews, review of student records, examination of
documentation, and classroom observation(s).
The Department determined that one or more of the criteria monitored in your district was
“Partially Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance was
found, the Department has prescribed corrective action for the district. This corrective action
must be implemented as soon as possible, but in no case later than a year from the date of this
report. You will find these requirements for corrective action included in the enclosed report,
along with requirements for submitting progress reports using the enclosed form.
Please provide the Department with your written assurance that all of the required corrective
action will be implemented by your district within the timelines specified in the report. You
must submit your statement of assurance to Darlene Lynch, Director, Program Quality Assurance
Services, by May 31, 2013.
1
Your staff's cooperation throughout this Mid-cycle Review is appreciated. If you have questions
about this letter or the enclosed report, please do not hesitate to contact Marc Oldenburg at 413314-6707
Sincerely,
Marc Oldenburg, 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
Michelle Poulin, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
John Lunt, School Committee Chairperson
William Bazyk, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Greenfield Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: February 27, 2013
Date of this Report: May 15, 2013
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN TWO SECTIONS.
Required Special Education Criteria Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
Current special education criteria available by scrolling down to the special education instrument at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
SE 7
Transfer of
parental
rights and
student
participation
and consent
at age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Record
Review
Interview
Documents
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
Student record review, document
review and an interview indicate that
one year prior to the student reaching
age 18 the district sends notice to the
student and the parent/guardian of the
rights that will transfer from the
parent/guardian to the student upon
the student’s 18th birthday. The
notification provided by the district to
the student and parent/guardian
explicitly states the rights accorded to
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 1 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
parents under special education law
that will transfer to the student upon
his or her 18th birthday.
At the age of 18, the school district
does implement procedures to obtain
consent from the student, the cosigning student/adult, or the
designated adult, to continue the
special education program.

Student
Record
Review
Interview
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and
attendance
Documents
Student record review, document
review and an interview indicate that
at all school levels, required members
of the Team are in attendance at IEP
meetings unless the parent and district
agree to use alternative means, such as
a video conference or a conference
call. Alternately, the district and the
parent may agree, in writing, that the
attendance of a Team member is not
necessary because the member´s area
of the curriculum or related services is
not being modified or discussed.
If a required member’s excusal for
participation is sought, the parent and
the district agree, in writing, that the
Team member provides written input
into the development of the IEP to the
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 2 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
parent and the IEP Team prior to the
meeting.

Student
Record
Review
Documents
SE 18A
IEP
Development
and content

SE 25
Parental
consent
Interview
Documents
Student record review and document
review indicate that whenever the IEP
Team evaluation indicates a student's
disability affects social skills
development, or when the student's
disability makes him or her vulnerable
to bullying, harassment, or teasing, or
for students identified with a disability
on the autism spectrum, the IEP Team
does address the skills and
proficiencies needed for the student to
avoid and respond to bullying,
harassment, or teasing and documents
these considerations on the Notice of
Proposed School District Action and
supports within the IEP.
At the time of the review, no parent
had revoked consent for a student's
special education services during the
period of one year prior to the midcycle review. Document review
indicates that the district has
procedures for when a parent/guardian
revokes consent for special education
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 3 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
services in writing, which includes the
district‘s need to act promptly to
provide written notice to the parent or
guardian of the district´s proposal to
discontinue services, as well as to
provide the parent with information on
how they may obtain a copy of their
right to procedural safeguards. The
district’s procedures also include
notice a reasonable time before the
district intends to discontinue the
services and that the district may not
use mediation or request a due process
hearing to obtain agreement or a
ruling requiring the continuation of
services, consistent with federal
regulation.
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 4 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Additional Special Education Criteria Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
Current special education criteria available by scrolling down to the special education instrument at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

SE 9
Timeline for
determination
of eligibility
and provision
of
documentation
to parent

SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
Record Review
Student record review and
document review indicate that
the district determines
eligibility and provides the IEP
to parents within 45 school
working days after receipt of
parental written consent.
Documents
Student
Record Review
Interview
Documents
SE 13
Progress
Reports and

Student
Record Review
Documents
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Student record review,
document review and an
interview indicate that the
district conducts re-evaluations
every three years with the
consent of the parent.
Student record review and
document review indicate that
parents receive reports on their
student's progress toward
reaching his or her IEP goals at
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 5 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
content
SE 14
Review and
revision of
IEPs
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
least as often as parents are
informed of the progress of
non-disabled students.
PI
Student
Record Review
Documents
Student record review and
document review indicate that
the district does not
consistently convene a Team
meeting at least annually, on or
before the anniversary date of
the IEP, to consider the
student’s progress and to
review, revise, or develop a
new IEP or refer the student for
a re-evaluation, as appropriate.
Conduct an analysis of a cross
section of annual reviews across
all grade levels, from November
2012 to March 2013, to determine
why annual reviews are not
routinely being held on, or before,
the anniversary date of the last
accepted IEP.
Develop an internal tracking and
oversight system with periodic
review by designated person(s)
responsible to ensure that annual
reviews are consistently held on
or before the anniversary date of
the IEP.
Conduct a second review of a
sample of student records for
annual reviews conducted
subsequent to the implementation
of all corrective actions, to verify
that the district is meeting
timelines for annual reviews.
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 6 of 11
Submit the results
of the district’s
analysis. Include
a description of
the root cause(s)
of the
noncompliance, a
description of the
steps the district
will take to
correct the root
cause(s), and the
district’s proposed
timeline for
implementation of
corrective actions
by June 28, 2013.
Submit a
description of the
district’s internal
oversight and
tracking system
with periodic
review along with
the name/role of
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
*Please note that when
conducting internal monitoring
the district must maintain the
following documentation and
make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of student names and
grade levels for the records
reviewed; b) Date of the review;
c) Name of person(s) who
conducted the review, their
roles(s), and their signature(s).
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 7 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
the designated
person(s)
responsible by
June 28, 2013.
Submit a report of
the results of the
second record
review. Include
the number of
records reviewed;
the number of
records in
compliance; for
records not in
compliance,
determine the root
cause(s); and the
specific action(s)
taken by the
district to remedy
the noncompliance by
December 6,
2013.
Criterion
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
provision of
IEP to parent
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
PI
Student
Record Review
Student record review and
document review indicate that
although parents at the
conclusion of the IEP Team
meeting are provided with a
summary of the proposed IEP,
they do not consistently receive
the complete IEP and proposed
placement within ten school
working days.
Conduct an analysis of a cross
section of student records from all
grade levels from November 2012
to March 2013, to determine why
parents are not routinely being
provided with the proposed IEP
and proposed placement within
ten school working days after the
conclusion of the IEP Team
meeting.
Documents
Develop an internal tracking and
oversight system with periodic
review by designated person(s)
responsible to ensure that parents
are routinely being provided with
the proposed IEP within the
required timelines.
Please submit the
results of the
district’s analysis.
Include a
description of the
root cause(s) of
the
noncompliance, a
description of the
steps the district
will take to
correct the root
cause(s), and the
district’s proposed
timeline for
implementation of
corrective actions
by June 28, 2013.
Select a sample of student records
from all grade levels whose
activity (initial evaluation, annual
review, or re-evaluation) occurs
after implementation of all
corrective actions, to review for
compliance with providing
parents or guardians with the
proposed IEP and proposed
placement within ten school
working days after the conclusion
Submit a
description of the
district’s internal
oversight and
tracking system
with periodic
review along with
the name/role of
the designated
person(s)
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 8 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
of the IEP meeting.
*Please note that when
conducting internal monitoring
the district must maintain the
following documentation and
make it available to the
Department upon request: a) List
of student names and grade
levels for the records reviewed;
b) Date of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted the
review, their roles(s), and their
signature(s).
SE 41
Age span
requirements

Student
Record Review
Interview
Student record review,
interview and document review
indicate that the ages of the
youngest and oldest child in
any instructional grouping
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 9 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
responsible by
June 28, 2013.
Submit a report of
the results of the
second record
review. Include
the following:
number of student
records reviewed;
number of records
in compliance; for
records not in
compliance,
determine the root
cause(s); and
describe the
specific action(s)
taken by the
district to remedy
the noncompliance by
December 6,
2013.
Criterion
SE 53
Use of paraprofessionals
SE 54
Professional
development
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)

Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Documents
within the district do not differ
more than 48 months.
Interview
Interviews and document
review indicate that persons
employed as paraprofessionals
and assistants do not design
instruction for students with
disabilities and only implement
instruction under the
supervision of an appropriately
certified or licensed teacher
who is proximate and readily
available to provide
supervision.
Documents
PI
Interview
Documents
Interview and document review
indicate that the district does
not ensure that special
education and general
education staff are trained on
state and federal special
education requirements and
related local special education
policies and procedures.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Conduct training for special
education and general education
staff across all levels on state and
federal special education
requirements and related local
special education policies and
procedures.
Develop an internal tracking and
oversight system with periodic
review by designated person(s)
responsible to ensure that all
required professional
development activities are being
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 10 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Please submit to
the Department
evidence of staff
training (agenda,
signed and dated
attendance sheet
with staff role,
and training
materials) by
December 6,
2013.
Submit a
description of the
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
conducted annually.
SE 55
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms
Interview

Observation
The Strides Program has been
re-located from Newton School
to The Discovery School at
Four Corners. The Strides
Program is equal in all physical
aspects to the average standards
of general education facilities
and classrooms located in The
Discovery School at Four
Corners. The new location
maximizes the inclusion of
students in to the life of the
building and provides
accessibility in order to
implement fully each student’s
IEP.
Greenfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 15, 2013
Page 11 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
district’s internal
oversight and
tracking system
with periodic
review along with
the name/role of
the designated
person(s)
responsible by
December 6,
2013.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Greenfield Public Schools
M I D – CY C L E P R O G R E S S R E P O R T
Date Prepared: ____________________________________
Prepared by: __________________________________________________________________
(name and title)
Criterion: _______________________
Topic: ________________________________________________________________________
For each criterion for which you prepare a progress report, please



make a copy of this cover page,
fill in the information requested above, and
attach a complete description of the corrective action taken and any accompanying documentation.
(Description of corrective action for each criterion and any accompanying documentation should include all of the
“Progress Report Required Elements” for that criterion in the Mid-cycle Report.)
Send the whole set of completed progress reports to:
Darlene Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906