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
August 1, 2005
William Erikson
Superintendent of Schools
Hampshire Regional School District
P.O. Box 299
Westhampton, MA 01027
Re:
Onsite Follow-up Monitoring Report: Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action
Plan Verification and Special Education Mid-cycle Review
Dear Superintendent Erikson:
Enclosed is the Department's Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Monitoring Report
together with findings regarding your district’s Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Review.
This report contains the Department's findings based on the onsite activities conducted in your
school district to verify the implementation status and effectiveness of corrective steps taken in
response to your Coordinated Program Review Report issued on December 5, 2003.
We are pleased to indicate that the Department of Education has found your district's approved
Corrective Action Plan to be substantially implemented and effective in remedying previously
identified noncompliance issues in the areas of Special Education and Civil Rights/Methods of
Administration. The findings of the Department are included in the attached Follow-up
Monitoring Report. You and your entire staff are to be congratulated for your efforts in
implementing all necessary improvements.
The Department will notify you of your district's next regularly scheduled Coordinated Program
Review several months before it is to occur. At this time we anticipate the Department's next
routine monitoring visit to occur sometime during the 2008-2009 school year, unless the
Department determines that there is some reason to schedule this visit earlier.
Your staff's cooperation throughout these Follow-up Monitoring activities is appreciated.
Should you require additional clarification of information included in our report, please do not
hesitate to contact the Onsite Team Chairperson at 413-584-4839.
Sincerely,
Linda J. Estes, Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
John D. Stager, Administrator
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Brad Brousseau, School Committee Chairperson
Stuart Singer, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Encl.: Follow-up Monitoring Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Action Plan Submitted on August 5, 2003
Onsite Visit Conducted on June 9 and July 7, 2005
Date of this Report August 1, 2005
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Special
Education
Requirements
SE 3
Special
requirements
for
determination
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation


Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Documentation/Record
Review
LEA’s practice regarding
identification and
documentation of SLD meets
requirements under this
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
of specific
learning
disabilities
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


criterion.
2
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 6
Determination
of transition
services
(Emphasis on
practices in
determining
needed
transition
planning and
services and
consideration of
courses of study
related to
needed
transition)
SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Documentation/Record
Review
LEA’s process for
determination of transition
services meets requirements
under this criterion.

Documentation/Record
Review
LEA’s Progress Report form
and procedures to monitor
content and frequency meet
requirements under this
criterion.
SE 15
3
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Outreach by the
School District
(Child Find)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Documentation Review/
Interviews
LEA’s Child Find procedures
meet requirements under this
criterion.
4
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 17
Initiation of
services at age
three and Early
Intervention
transition
procedures
SE 18A
IEP
development
and content
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
immediate
provision of
IEP to parent
SE 20
Least restrictive
program
selected
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


HRSD is a grade 7-12 district.
N/A

Documentation/Record
Review
The LEA’s IEP development
procedures meet requirements
under this criterion.

Record
Review
Placement decisions and
provision of IEP to parent meet
requirements under this
criterion.

Documentation/Record
Review/
Interviews
The LEA meets LRE
requirements under this
criterion.
SE 22;36
5
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
IEP
implementation
and availability
(Emphasis on
provision of
IEP services
without delay;
provision of the
IEP at the
beginning of the
school year;
and, alternative
methods of
service delivery
where there is a
lack of space
and/or
personnel))
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Record
Review
The LEA meets IEP
implementation and availability
requirements under this
criterion. IEPs are not
implemented prior to written
parental consent.
6
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 26
Parent
participation in
meetings
(Emphasis on
district’s
attempts to
ensure parent
participation at
IEP Team
meetings)
SE 28
Parent provided
the IEP or
notice of no
eligibility
together with
notification of
procedural
safeguards and
parents' rights
SE 29
Communica-
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Record
Review
The LEA’s efforts to ensure
parent participation at Team
meetings meet requirements
under this criterion.

Record
Review
The LEA provides IEPs and
notices of procedural safeguards
to parents without undue delay.

Record
The LEA ensures
7
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
tions are in
English and
primary
language of
home
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


Review
communication with parents in
primary language of the home.
8
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for
special
education
SE 50
Responsibilities
of the School
Principal and
Administrator
of Special
Education
SE 54
Professional
development
regarding
special
education
SE 56
Special
education
programs and
services are
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Documentation Review/
Interviews
The LEA meets requirements
under this criterion regarding
ongoing efforts to establish and
maintain PACs.

Documentattion Review/
Interviews
The LEA meets requirements
under this criterion.

Documentation Review/
Interviews
The LEA’s professional
development plan meets staff
training requirements under this
criterion.

Documentation Review/
Interviews
The LEA’s evaluation of special
education programs/services
meets requirements under this
criterion.
9
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
evaluated
Other
Requirements
SE 7
Student Rights
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Documentation Review
The LEA informs students
reaching age 18 of their
decision-making rights relative
to special education.
SE 8
Team
Composition

Documentation/Record
Review
The LEA has implemented
procedures to ensure attendance
at all out-of-district Team
meetings.
SE 9;12
Timelines

Documentation/Record
Review
The LEA has documented
notices to parents that indicate
timelines for evaluations are
substantially met.
SE 19
Extended
Evaluation

Documentation/Record
Review
The LEA has provided inservice
training to staff to ensure
understanding of extended
evaluations.
10
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 24
Referral
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Documentation/Record
Review
The LEA has established
referral procedures that meet
requirements under this
criterion.
11
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 37
Monitoring
Plans
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Documentation/Record
Review
The LEA has written and
implemented monitoring plans
to ensure compliance with outof-district IEPs.

Documentation Review
All students currently fall within
the 48-month age span.
Waivers will be sought prior to
exceeding this age span.
MOA 1
Identification of
LEP Students

Documentation Review/
Interviews
The LEA has established
identification procedures that
meet requirements under this
criterion.
MOA 4
Suspensions

Documentation Review/
Interviews
The LEA has provided
comparability data that indicate
compliance with this criterion.

Documentattion Review
The LEA’s Student Handbook
contains district policies that
meet requirements under both
SE 41
Age Spans
MOA 6;17
Pregnant
Students;
Special
12
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
MOA 15
Scholarships
MOA 16
Withdrawal
from School
MOA 25
Evaluation of
Policies/Programs
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


Education
Discipline
MOA 9
Student
Employers
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
criteria.

Documentation Review
The LEA requires all
prospective employers to sign
an assurance of compliance
form regarding
nondiscrimination.

Documentation Review
The LEA’s procedures
regarding the administration of
scholarships meet requirements
under this criterion.

Documentattion Review
The district has revised its
Withdrawal form to comply
with this criterion.

Documentation Review/
Interviews
The LEA has established a
comprehensive evaluation
process to review its civil rights’
policies and practices.
13
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
14