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
March 31, 2011
Kristine Nash, Superintendent
Hanover Public Schools
188 Broadway Street
Hanover, MA 02339
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Nash:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based on the onsite visit
conducted in your district in February 2011. 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 April 14, 2011.
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 Nancy Hicks at 781-338-3714.
Sincerely,
Nancy Hicks, 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
Vani Rastogi-Kelly, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Michael Cianciola, School Committee Chairperson
Ellen Witter Harrington, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs:
Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
1
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Hanover Public Schools
Date of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: February 14, 2011
Date of this Report: March 31, 2011
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN TWO SECTIONS.
Current special education criteria available by scrolling down to the special education instrument at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
SE 7
Transfer of
parental
rights at age
of majority
and student
participation
and consent
at the age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
Interview
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
One year prior to the student
reaching age 18 the district informs
the student and parent/guardian of
the rights that will transfer from
the parent/guardian to the student
upon the student’s 18th birthday.
Upon reaching the age of 18, the
district implements procedures to
obtain consent from the student to
continue the student’s special
education program.
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 1 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Documentation

Interview
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district does not have any
students enrolled at this time who
require the services of an
educational interpreter for the deaf
and hard of hearing. The district
has procedures in place that
indicate that an employee acting in
this capacity would be registered
with the Massachusetts
Commission for the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing, as required.
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 2 of 12
(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 2
Required and
optional assessments

SE 4
Reports of
assessment results

SE 5
Participation in
general State and
district-wide
assessment programs
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student records
A history of the student’s
educational progress in the
general curriculum and an
assessment by a teacher with
current knowledge regarding
the student’s specific
abilities in relation to the
learning standards of the
Massachusetts Curriculum
Frameworks and the
district’s general education
curriculum are completed for
initial evaluations and reevaluations to determine
eligibility.
The summaries of
assessment results include
diagnostic impressions and
define in detail and in
educationally relevant and
common terms the student’s
needs offering explicit means
of meeting those needs.
MCAS and the necessary
accommodations are
discussed at Team meetings.
Interview
Student records
Interview
Student records

Interview
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 3 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 6
Determination of
transition services
SE 8
IEP Team
composition and
attendance
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student records
The Team discusses the
student’s transition needs
annually, beginning no later
than when the student is 14
years old, and documents its
discussion on the Transition
Planning Form, which is
updated annually. Vision
statements in the IEP reflect
the student’s vision and are
linked to transition goals and
services. The information
gathered by guidance staff
regarding career interests is
shared with the Team. When
middle school students are
not accepted to a vocational
school, alternatives for
vocational programs are
discussed at the Team
meeting.
Annual review Team
meetings include a
representative with the
authority to commit the
resources of the district. A
general education teacher
attends the Team meeting if
the student is or may be
involved in a general
education program.

Interview
Student records

Interview
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 4 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 9
Timeline for
determination of
eligibility and
provision of
documentation 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
Student records
The district does not always
determine whether a student
is eligible for special
education and provide either
a proposed IEP and proposed
placement or a written
explanation of the finding of
no eligibility to the parent
within 45 school working
days after receipt of the
parent’s written consent to an
initial evaluation or a reevaluation.
Develop an internal oversight
and tracking system to ensure
that the district provides either a
proposed IEP and placement or a
written explanation of the finding
of no eligibility to the parent
within 45 school working days
after receipt of the parent’s
written consent to an evaluation.
PI
Interviews
Develop a report of the results of
a comprehensive internal review
of student records at all levels,
for initial evaluations and reevaluations that took place
subsequent to the implementation
of the oversight and tracking
system, for evidence of
compliance with the 45-day
timeline requirement.
*Please note 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)
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 5 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
system and
identify the
person(s)
responsible for the
oversight,
including the date
for the system’s
implementation.
Submit this
information by
May 10, 2011.
Submit a report of
the results of an
internal review of
records from all
levels in which the
parent provided
written consent to
an initial or reevaluation since
the tracking
system was
implemented.
Include the
following:
 Number 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
who conducted the review, with
their role(s) and signature(s).
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation
Student records
PI
Interview
Re-evaluations are not
always conducted every
three years.
The district implements reevaluation procedures in all
cases where it is suspected
that a student is no longer
Develop an internal oversight
and tracking system to ensure
that re-evaluations are conducted
every three years.
Develop a report of the results of
a comprehensive internal review
of student records at all levels for
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 6 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
records
reviewed at
each level;
 Number of
records that met
timeline
requirements;
 Results of the
root cause
analysis of any
records not in
compliance;
and
 Specific
corrective
actions taken by
the district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this report
by November 1,
2011.
Submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
system and
identify the
person(s)
responsible for 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
eligible for special education,
and dates for re-evaluations
are no longer extended at
Team meetings.
re-evaluations conducted
subsequent to the implementation
of the oversight and tracking
system, for evidence of
compliance with conducting reevaluations every three years.
*Please note 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, with
their role(s) and signature(s).
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 7 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
oversight,
including the date
for the system’s
implementation.
Submit this
information by
May 10, 2011.
Submit a report of
the results of an
internal review of
records from all
levels where a reevaluation was
due since
implementation of
the tracking
system. Include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed at
each level;
 Number of
records in
which a reevaluation was
conducted
every three
years;
 Results of the
Criterion
SE 14
Review and revision
of IEPs
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student records
PI
Interview
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
The annual review of the IEP
does not always take place
on or before the anniversary
date of the IEP.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Develop an internal oversight
and tracking system to ensure
that Team meetings are held on
or before the anniversary date of
the IEP.
Develop a report of the results of
a comprehensive internal review
of student records at all levels for
annual reviews held subsequent
to the implementation of the
oversight and tracking system,
for evidence of compliance with
the annual review taking place on
or before the anniversary date of
the IEP.
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
root cause
analysis for any
non-compliance
found; and
 Specific
corrective
actions taken by
the district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this report
by November 1,
2011.
Submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
system and
identify the
person(s)
responsible for the
oversight,
including the date
for the system’s
implementation.
Submit this
information by
May 10, 2011.
Submit a report of
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 8 of 12
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
*Please note 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, with
their role(s) and signature(s).
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 9 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
the results of the
internal review of
records at all
levels for annual
reviews conducted
since
implementation of
the tracking
system. Include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed at
each level;
 Number of
records in
which a Team
meeting was
held on or
before the
anniversary
date of the IEP;
 Results of the
root cause
analysis for any
non-compliance
found; and
 Specific
corrective
actions taken by
the district to
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this report
by November 1,
2011.
SE 18A
IEP development and
content
SE 18B
Determination of
placement; provision
of IEP to parent
SE 24
Notice to parent
regarding proposal or
refusal to initiate or
change the
identification,
Student records

Student records

Student records

IEPs are fully completed,
including the Present Levels
of Educational Performance
(PLEP) B section. The
criteria used to determine
whether a student has
reached an IEP goal is
completed, as well as
information related to
MCAS, as appropriate. The
district representative signs
the IEP before sending it to
the parent or guardian.
Placement pages for high
school students are
completed correctly.
Placement pages include the
location and are signed by
the parent.
The district’s written notice
of proposal or refusal
responds to the questions on
page two of the form,
addressing the content
requirements of federal
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 10 of 12
Criterion
evaluation, or
educational
placement of the
student or the
provision of FAPE
SE 25
Parental consent
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
regulation.
Student records

SE 26
Parent participation
in meetings

SE 41
Age span
requirements

SE 51
Appropriate special
education teacher
licensure
SE 52
Appropriate
certifications/licenses
or other credentialsrelated service
providers
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Student records
Documentation
Interviews
Documentation

Interviews
Documentation

Interviews
The consent to evaluate is
documented in the student
record. The consented-to
assessments are conducted
and the signature page for
the IEP is in the student
record.
Team meeting invitations are
sent early enough to allow
parents to attend the Team
meeting.
The age spans do not exceed
48 months in the
instructional groupings at the
high school.
All special education
teachers are appropriately
licensed.
All personnel who provide
related services are
appropriately certified,
licensed, board-registered or
otherwise approved to
provide such services by the
relevant professional
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 11 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 55
Special education
facilities and
classrooms
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Observation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
standards board or agency
for the profession.
The classroom used to
provide special education
services at the Sylvester
School is appropriate for the
number of students assigned
to the class.
Hanover Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
March 31, 2011
Page 12 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Hanover 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