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
November 2, 2010
David Dupont
Superintendent
Holyoke Public Schools
57 Suffolk Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Dupont:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district in May 2010. In this Mid-cycle Review the
Department monitored selected special education criteria to determine your district’s compliance
with special education laws and regulations. The review consisted of information gathered from
one or more of the following activities: staff interviews, review of student records, examination
of documentation, and/or classroom observation.
The Department found one or more of the criteria monitored in your district to be “Partially
Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance has been 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 November 17, 2010.
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 Daniel A. Mosco at (781)
338-3748.
Sincerely,
Daniel A. Mosco, 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
Beth Lopez, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Carol Hepworth, Local Program Review Coordinator
Mayor Elaine Pluta, Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Holyoke Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 25-26, 2010
Date of this Report: November 1, 2010
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 3
Special
requirements
for the
determination
of specific
learning
disability
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
PI
Student
record review
and Interview
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
The district is moving to an
electronic tracking system
called SEMSTracker. Review
of records indicated that
although the Team Chairs are
completing the SLD
determination form in the
computer system they do not
print them out for participants
to sign their agreement
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
Required Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
At the Team meeting, the Team
Chairperson must print the
completed SLD form so that
participants may sign it and include
it in the record. Please revise the
district’s procedures for providing
the SLD determination forms for
signature. Review the new
procedures with all Team
Chairpersons.
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 1 of 23
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
By December 17,
2010 submit an
agenda, signed
attendance sheets
(indicating role of
staff) and training
materials from the
staff training. Provide
a copy of the revised
procedures on the
requirements for
eligibility
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:
Required Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
The district must then conduct an
administrative review of student
records to ensure that each record
contains the completed form
appropriately signed.
*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).
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 2 of 23
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
determination of a
specific learning
disability. Also submit
the description of the
internal oversight and
tracking system used
to ensure the
procedure is being
implemented.
By April 30, 2011
submit a report of the
internal review of
records of students
suspected of having a
specific learning
disability and who
have been evaluated
since the training.
Include the following:
 Number of records
reviewed;
 Number of records
that included
appropriate
documentation for
the determination of
a specific learning
disability;
 Description of the
root causes for any
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:
Required Corrective Action
and
Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
non-compliance
found; and
Specific actions taken
by the district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters

Document
review and
Interviews
While the district does not
currently have any students
who require the services of an
educational interpreter, the
district has procedures for
ensuring that all providers of
interpreting services for
students who are deaf or hard
of hearing employed or
contracted with by the district
are registered with the
Massachusetts Commission
for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing.
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 3 of 23
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

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
SE 9
Timeline for
determination of
eligibility and
provision of
documentation to
parent

Student record
review and
Interviews
The district has made progress
with completing evaluations
and making eligibility
determinations within the 45day time line especially for
initial referrals. This
improvement is the result of
the use of SEMSTracker which
more accurately tracks
evaluator assignments and
assessment completion.
SE 9A
Elements of the
eligibility
determination; general
education
accommodations and
services for ineligible
students

Documentation
and Interview
The finding in the previous
CPR noted the over referral to
special education by staff due
to the lack of building based
support services. As the result
of this finding, the district has
made a significant effort to
establish district wide
procedures and training for the
development of functioning
Building Based Support
Teams, which has reduced
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 4 of 23
(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
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
inappropriate referrals while
providing supports as
necessary.
SE 10

End of school year
evaluations
SE 12
Frequency of reevaluation
PI
Student record
review and
Interview
Through the use of improved
tracking, SEMSTracker,
revised procedures and
chairperson training, the
district has made significant
progress in addressing the
issue regarding noncompliance
with time lines for end of
school year referrals for
evaluations.
Student record
review and
Interview
Ensuring the timely frequency
of re-evaluations continues to
be problematic for the district
due to the difficulty in
obtaining parental consent in a
timely manner despite its use
of multiple efforts to secure
consent. As a result, the
frequency of the reevaluations
exceeds the 3 year
requirement.
The district must ensure that it
enforces its newly developed
tracking and follow-up
procedures developed in order to
minimize the delay in receiving
parental signatures for the
consent to re-evaluate, so as to
meet the three-year time line.
Additionally, after exhausting
follow-up resources articulated in
its procedural manual the
Director of Special Education
must ensure the student’s access
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 5 of 23
By December
17, 2010
submit copies
of the district’s
tracking logs
and examples
of its efforts to
gain parental
consent and
what actions
were taken to
ensure this is
occurring on a
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
to FAPE is protected by seeking
resolution through Special
Education Appeals. (State
Requirement 603 CMR 28.07(1)
& Federal Requirements 34 CFR
300.300).
*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).
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 6 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
timely basis
By April 30,
2011 submit a
report of the
internal review
of records of
students who
have been
reevaluated
since January
2011. Include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records that
met the
timeline for
reevaluation;
 Description
of the root
causes for
any noncompliance
found; and
 Specific
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.
SE 13

Progress Reports and
content
SE 14
Review and revision
of IEPs
PI
Student record
review and
Interviews
The district has made
significant investment in an
electronic document and
tracking system that ensures
that progress reports are
appropriately provided to
parents. Additionally, this
system ensures that the district
provides summary
recommendations to students
at graduation or termination
from special education
eligibility.
Student record
review and
Interviews
According to the CPR finding
many of the annual Team
meetings were not held within
the required timelines. This
issue also continues to be
significantly problematic due
to a lack of parent/guardian
attendance at meetings despite
the district’s multiple efforts to
achieve compliance with this
requirement.
The district must ensure that it
enforces its newly developed
tracking and follow-up
procedures for IEP Team
meeting notice to parents to
improve parental participation at
annual review meetings
*Please note when conducting
internal monitoring the district
must maintain the following
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 7 of 23
By December
17, 2010
submit copies
of the district’s
tracking logs
and examples
of its efforts to
notify and
confirm parent
attendance at
annual review
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
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).
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 8 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
meetings and a
sampling of
team meeting
attendance
signature
pages.
By April 30,
2011 submit a
report of the
internal review
of records of
students who
have had
annual reviews
meetings since
January 2011.
Include the
following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records that
met the
timeline for
reevaluation;
 Description
of the root
causes for
any non-
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
compliance
found; and
Specific actions
taken by the
district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
SE 17

Initiation of services at
age three and Early
Intervention transition
procedures
SE 19
Extended evaluation
PI
Student record
review and
Interviews
As the result of improved
procedures and staff training
there is no longer a delay
between the time of the
evaluation and the placement
of three year olds as was cited
in the CPR report.
Student record
review and
Interviews
The use and understanding of
the extended evaluation
procedure continues to be
problematic.
The district must provide training
to key staff about the extended
evaluation process.
There was little or no evidence
in student records that
responsible staff understood
the intent of the extended
evaluation process.
The district must conduct a
review of the student records of
all students undergoing extended
evaluation and submit the results
of that review to the Department
*Please note when conducting
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 9 of 23
By December
17, 2010, the
district must
provide
training to all
responsible
staff about the
appropriate use
of the extended
evaluation
process and
provide the
Department
with a copy 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
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).
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 10 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
the agenda,
sign in sheets,
and associated
materials.
By April 30,
2011, please
submit the
results of a
review of
records of all
students who
had extended
evaluations.
Please include
the number of
records
reviewed, the
number of
records found
to be in
compliance, the
root cause for
any
noncompliance
and the
district’s plan
to address any
continued
noncompliance.
Criterion
SE 20
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion

Documentation
and Interviews
At the time of the last CPR,
this criterion was crossreferenced in SE 9A citing the
ineffectiveness of the building
support teams which resulted
in more restrictive settings.
Since that time, this issue has
been addressed through the
development of improved
procedures and staff training
regarding the access to district
supports in an effort to
mitigate referral for evaluation.

Student record
review and
Interviews
With the district’s
implementation of the
SEMSTracker system for the
tracking of documents and
procedures there is no longer a
delay in delivering services
once consent is received
because service providers are
informed as soon as the signed
IEP is received and entered
into the system.

Student record
review and
Interviews
With the district’s
implementation of the
SEMSTracker system for the
Least restrictive
program selected
SE 22
IEP implementation
and availability
SE 24
Notice to parent
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 11 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation

Student record
review and
Interviews
In response to the CPR finding
that the district does not notify
the BSEA of rejections of IEPs
or findings of no special needs,
the district has restructured its
procedures and trained staff so
as to ensure that this
notification occurs within the 5
day timeline.

Website
documentation
and Interviews
A review of the website
documentation and an
interview with the PAC
president indicate that the
district now has a fully
functioning PAC that meets all
requirements.
Sending of copy of
notice to Special
Education Appeals
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for special
education
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
tracking of documents and
procedures there is no longer a
delay in delivering services
once consent is received
because service providers are
informed as soon as the signed
IEP is received and entered
into the system.
regarding proposal or
refusal to initiate or
change the
identification,
evaluation, or
educational
placement of the
child or the provision
of FAPE
SE 25A
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 12 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 36
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion

Student record
review and
Interviews
With the district’s
implementation of the
SEMSTracker system for the
tracking of documents and
procedures, there is no longer a
delay in delivering services
once consent is received
because service providers are
informed as soon as the signed
IEP is received and entered
into the system.

Documentation
and Interviews
Since the last CPR, the district
has revised its code of conduct
and discipline policy in the
student handbook and
provided training on “due
process’ during the 2008/2009
school year. Vice principals
responsible for discipline enter
data into a software program
which then notifies the special
education department that
there is an issue. Manifestation
determination meetings are
held before the 10th day of
suspension.
Documentation,
Student record
The last CPR referenced SE 44
in the finding. As noted above
IEP implementation,
accountability and
financial
responsibility
SE 44
Procedure for
recording
suspensions
SE 45
PI
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
.
The district must conduct a
review of the student records of
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 13 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
By April 30,
2011, please
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Procedures for
suspension up to 10
days and after 10 days
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
review and
Interviews
the district has instituted new
procedures to ensure that
suspensions up to and after 10
days meet compliance
requirements.
all students suspended up to and
after 10 days since the training
took place and submit the results
of that review to the Department
*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).
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of students
with disabilities when
PI
Documentation,
Student record
review and
Interviews
In response to the CPR finding
indicating a lack of procedures
and training for manifestation
determinations, the district
instituted staff training during
The district must conduct a
review of the student records of
all students whose suspensions
exceeded 10 consecutive days
since the district training took
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 14 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
submit the
results of a
review of the
student records
of all students
suspended up
to and after 10
days. Please
include the
number of
records
reviewed, the
number of
records found
to be in
compliance, the
root cause for
any
noncompliance
and the
district’s plan
to address any
continued
noncompliance.
By April 30,
2011, please
submit the
results of a
review of the
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
suspensions exceed 10
consecutive school
days
SE 47
Procedural
requirements applied to
PI
Documentation
and Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
the 2009/2010 school year and
developed guidance and
procedures for conducting a
manifestation determination.
place and submit the results of
that review to the Department
The district contends that with
the development of the
improved building based team,
the district is now more aware
The district must provide
evidence of how staff members
responsible for implementing
these new procedures were
*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).
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 15 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
student records
of all students
whose
suspensions
exceeded 10
consecutive
days since
training took
place. Please
include the
number of
records
reviewed, the
number of
records found
to be in
compliance, the
root cause for
any
noncompliance
and the
district’s plan
to address any
continued
noncompliance.
By December
17, 2010,
provide
evidence of the
Criterion
students not yet
determined to be
eligible for special
education
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 those students who are not
yet determined to be eligible
for special education and those
who may be eligible for
services. It has developed a
system for applying the
procedural safeguards for
those students.
.
informed of their responsibilities.
The district must conduct a
review of the student records of
students who faced disciplinary
action and were not yet
determined to be eligible for
special education since the
development of the new
procedures and the subsequent
training for relevant staff and
submit the results of that review
to the Department
*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).
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 16 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
training
provided to key
staff on
applying the
procedural
safeguards with
respect to the
discipline of
students not yet
determined to
be eligible for
special
education.
Please include
copies of
agendas, signin sheets and
relevant
materials.
By April 30,
2011, please
submit the
results of a
review of the
student records
of all students
not yet
determined to
be eligible for
special
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
education that
were part of a
disciplinary
action since
key staff were
trained. Please
include the
number of
records
reviewed, the
number of
records found
to be in
compliance, the
root cause for
any
noncompliance
and the
district’s plan
to address any
continued
noncompliance.
SE 48
FAPE (Free,
appropriate, public
education)

Documentation
and Interviews
Since the last CPR, the
alternative program at the
McHugh Education Center has
been moved to a new, more
appropriate space at the Center
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 17 of 23
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
for Excellence where all
students have access to all
programs and services offered
by the district.
SE 51

Documentation
According to the
documentation provided by the
district, all of the staff
providing special education
services are appropriately
licensed or waivered.
Documentation
According to the
documentation provided by the
district, all of the OT and PT
service providers have expired
licenses.
Appropriate special
education teacher
certification/licensure
SE 52
Appropriate
certifications/licenses
or other credentials -related service
providers
PI
The district must obtain updated
service provider license data so
as to insure that all service
providers are appropriately
licensed and if any provider is
not appropriately credentialed,
they may not be used to provide
services to students. In instances
where the license has lapsed, the
district must find appropriately
credentialed providers to ensure
that students are receiving the
services agreed to in their IEP’s.
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 18 of 23
By December
17, 2010,
please submit
the result of the
district’s
licensure
verification
activity that
includes a copy
of an updated
database with
valid licenses
along with a
description 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
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
the actions
taken to ensure
the
continuation of
services if
current service
providers were
found to be
unlicensed.
SE 54
Professional
development
PI
Documentation
and Interview
The current Director of Special
Education has recently
developed a procedural
handbook that will become the
framework of district training
on accommodating diverse
learners and outline
collaboration between all staff.
This information was being
shared with principals,
administrators and all staff
beginning September 2010.
Once completed and verified,
this should correct the previous
non-compliance concerning
staff training in special
education, analyzing and
accommodating diverse
learning styles and
collaboration to accommodate
diverse learning styles.
The district must provide a copy
of the finalized procedural
handbook and develop a plan to
ensure that information included
in it is presented to
administration and staff.
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 19 of 23
By November
30, 2010,
please provide
a copy of the
finalized
procedural
handbook
along with the
agenda, and
sign in sheets,
from the
meeting where
it was shared
with staff.
Please also
provide a
description of
the district’s
plan for
providing
ongoing
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
professional
development in
special
education,
analyzing and
accommodating
diverse
learning styles
and
collaboration to
accommodate
diverse
learning styles
to all district
staff.
SE 55

Onsite visit
Special education
facilities and
classrooms
SE 56
Special education
programs and services
are evaluated
PI
Documentation
and Interviews
Since the last CPR, the
alternative program at the
McHugh Education Center has
been moved to a new more
appropriate space at the Center
for Excellence.
Although the district provided
evidence that during the past
year it has been soliciting
feedback from parents and
staff in an attempt to evaluate
its programs and services, the
district has not finalized the
The district is to complete its fact
finding from parents and staff
regarding the operations of the
special education program and
publish a report of its findings.
The report should identify those
areas needing improvement as
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 20 of 23
By April 30,
2011, please
submit a copy
of the report as
well as
documentation
of the steps 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
results in a report that includes
next steps.
well as describing methods for
correction.
district has
taken to correct
identified
problem areas.
As a reaction to litigation in a
neighboring city, the district
has required that an attendance
goal be included on all IEPs.
The enforcement of the state’s
attendance regulations, unless
related to a specific disability,
is the responsibility of the
district and should be
addressed through districtwide procedures, not through
the monitoring of IEPs.
The district must inform all staff
persons responsible for
developing IEPs not to include
an attendance goal for all
students but rather only if
attendance is an associated factor
of the identified disability of the
individual student (e.g. school
phobia).
By December
17, 2010, the
district must
provide a copy
of the written
guidance to
staff
eliminating the
use of the
attendance
goals for all
IEPs.
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
New issue not
associated with
previous CPR
SE 18A
IEP Development
PI
Record review
and Interview
By April 30,
2011, please
submit the
results of a
review of
records of a
sampling of
students from
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 21 of 23
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).
Holyoke Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 1, 2010
Page 22 of 23
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
each grade
level who have
had IEPs
written since
the training to
ensure that the
attendance
goals are not
included.
Please include
the number of
records
reviewed, the
number of
records found
to be in
compliance, the
root cause for
any
noncompliance
and the
district’s plan
to address any
continued
noncompliance
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Holyoke Public School District
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