Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
April 29, 2011
Dennis Breen, Superintendent
Hopedale Public School District
25 Adin Street
Hopedale, MA 01747
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Breen:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the onsite visit conducted in your district in March 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 May 13, 2011.
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 Coretta
McCarter at 781-338-3733.
Sincerely,
Coretta McCarter, 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
Susan Palmer-Howes, School Committee Chairperson
Pamela Smith, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Hopedale Public School District
Date of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: March 11, 2011
Date of this Report: April 29, 2011
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 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 the 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
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 1 of 10
(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
Document
Review
Interview
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
education program.
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.
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 2 of 10
(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
SE 1
Assessments are
appropriately
selected and
interpreted for
students referred
for evaluation
SE 2
Required and
optional
assessments
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
Interview

Student
Records
Interview
SE 4
Reports of
assessment

Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Tests and other evaluation
materials are tailored to assess
specific areas of educational
need; one assessment is not the
sole criterion for determining
eligibility.
For students identified as limited
English proficient, the district
administers assessments in the
language and form most likely to
yield accurate information on
what the student knows and can
do academically,
developmentally and
functionally.
All required assessments are
administered and students are
assessed in all areas related to the
suspected disability.
Reevaluations are conducted
before terminating services.
Reports of assessment results
include diagnostic impressions
and define in detail and in
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 3 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
results
SE 6
Determination of
transition
services
SE 8
IEP Team
composition and
attendance
Student
Records

Interview
PI
Student
Records
Interview
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
educationally relevant and
common terms the student’s
needs offering explicit means of
meeting those needs. Reports of
assessment results link to the
student’s area of educational
and/or therapeutic need.
The Team discusses the student’s
transition needs annually.
Transition Planning Forms are
evident in records of students 14
years of age and older, including
students placed out-of-district.
There is not always a general
education teacher in attendance at
the Team meeting if the student
is or may be involved in a
general education program. The
district documents parent
agreement for excusals of Team
members; however, if the parent
does not agree to the excusal the
district still conducts the Team
meeting without the general
education teacher in attendance.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Revise the district-wide procedures
for IEP Team composition and
attendance to ensure the
participation of general education
teachers when a student is or may
be involved in a general education
program. If the general education
teacher does not attend the Team
meeting and the parent does not
agree to the excusal, then the
district should reschedule the Team
meeting for a time when the general
education teacher can attend.
Provide training to principals and
staff on these district-wide
procedures.
Develop an internal oversight and
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 4 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Provide an
agenda, signed
attendance sheets
(indicating role
of staff) and
training
materials,
including the
revised
procedures, for
training on IEP
Team
composition and
attendance. Also
submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
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
tracking system to monitor the
participation of general education
teachers in Team meetings as well
as follow appropriate excusal
procedures.
Develop a report of the results of a
comprehensive internal review of
records at all levels in which Team
meetings were held subsequent to
the implementation of the district’s
corrective actions, for evidence of
compliance with general education
teacher participation in Team
meetings and appropriate excusal
procedures.
*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).
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 5 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
system, including
the person(s)
responsible for
the oversight and
the date of the
system’s
implementation.
Submit this
information by
September 12,
2011.
Submit a report
of the results of
an internal
review of records
from all grades in
which a Team
meeting was held
since
implementation
of the district’s
corrective
actions. Include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records with
appropriate
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
Team
composition
and
attendance,
including
appropriate
excusal
procedures;
 Results of the
root cause
analysis of any
records not in
compliance;
and
 Specific
actions taken
by the district
to remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this
report by
December 12,
2011.
SE 9
Timeline for
determination of
eligibility and
provision of
documentation to
parent

Student
Records
The district determines whether
students are eligible for special
education and provides either a
proposed IEP and proposed
placement or a written
explanation of the finding of no
eligibility to the parent within 45
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 6 of 10
Criterion
SE 14
Review and
revision of IEPs
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
school working days after receipt
of the parent’s written consent to
evaluate. This includes students
who are in out-of-district
placements.
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 for ensuring that
annual review Team meetings are
conducted on or before the
anniversary date of the IEP. The
tracking system should include
supervisory oversight at the school
level and periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
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.
*Please note when conducting
internal monitoring the district
must maintain the following
documentation and make it
available to the Department upon
request:
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 7 of 10
(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
of the system’s
implementation,
for ensuring that
annual review
Team meetings
are conducted on
or before the
anniversary date
of the IEP.
Submit this
information by
September 12,
2011.
Submit a report
of the results 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
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).
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 8 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
an internal
review of records
at all levels for
annual reviews
conducted since
implementation
of the oversight
and tracking
system. Include
the following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 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 noncompliance
found; and
 Specific
corrective
actions taken
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
by the district
to remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit this
report by
December 12,
2011.
SE 18A
IEP development
and content
SE 18B
Determination of
placement;
provision of IEP
to parent
SE 25
Parental consent
SE 53
Use of
paraprofessionals

Student
Records

Interviews
Student
Records
Interviews

Student
Records

Document
Review
Interviews
SE 54
Professional
The district provides behavioral
goals for students who have been
identified as having a socialemotional disability.
The district provides parents with
the proposed IEP immediately
following its development.
PI
Document
Review
The consent to evaluate is
included in the student record
and the consented-to assessments
are conducted by the district. The
signature page for the IEP is also
included in the student record.
Paraprofessionals are
appropriately trained to assist in
providing special education and
related services to students they
are serving.
General education and special
education staff are not provided
Provide training to all staff on
methods of collaboration among
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 9 of 10
Provide an
agenda, signed
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
development
Interviews
SE 55
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms

Observation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
training in methods of
collaboration among teachers,
paraprofessionals and teacher
assistants to accommodate
diverse learning styles of all
students in the general education
classroom.
teachers, paraprofessionals and
teacher assistants to accommodate
diverse learning styles of all
students in the general education
classroom.
Physical therapy is provided to
students in an appropriate
classroom at the Memorial
School and the Bright
Beginnings Center. The
classrooms provide for
confidentiality.
Hopedale Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 29, 2011
Page 10 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
attendance sheets
(indicating role
of staff) and
training materials
for staff training
on methods of
collaboration to
accommodate
diverse learning
styles of all
students in the
general education
classroom.
Submit this
information by
September 12,
2011.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Hopedale 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