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
August 30, 2011
Mary Lou Bergeron, Interim School Superintendent
Lawrence Public Schools
255 Essex Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Bergeron:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your school district on May 26, 2011 and May 27, 2011.
In this Mid-cycle Review the Department monitored selected special education criteria to
determine your school’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 and on-site
observations.
The Department found one or more of the criteria monitored in your school to be “Partially
Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance has been found, the
Department has prescribed corrective action for the school. 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 school within the timelines specified in the report. You must
submit your statement of assurance to Darlene Lynch, Director, Program Quality Assurance
Services, by September 16, 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 Paul J. Aguiar at 781338-3781.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Aguiar, 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
Dean Paolillo, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Mayor William Lantigua, Chairperson School Committee, Lawrence City Hall, 300
Common Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Kimberly Merrick, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Lawrence Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 26-27, 2011
Date of this Report: August 30, 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
Criterion
Implemented

SE 7

Transfer of
parental
rights at age
of majority
and student
participation
and consent
at the age of
majority
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student
Records
The review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated that
the district informed the
student and the parents in
a timely manner of the
student’s future
educational decision
making rights and that
there is a process for the
transfer of parental rights
to the student at the age
of majority.
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 1 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

SE 52A

Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Interviews
The review of district
documentation indicated
that all educational
interpreters hired by the
district are currently
registered with the
Massachusetts
Commission for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing.
Document
Review
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 2 of 20
(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
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
Document
Review
The review of
district
documentation, the
review of student
records as well as
staff interviews
indicated that the
district no longer
conducts a record
review in place of an
evaluation at the
three-year
evaluation.
The district must ensure that
all of its assessments are
appropriately selected for
students referred for
evaluation and that all tests
and other evaluation material
are validated and technically
sound, specifically for
evaluations of students in
need of a social, emotional,
or psychological evaluation.
Student
Records
Interviews
However, the review
of student records
and staff interviews
indicated that the
district uses
counseling
assessments that are
not validated or
technically sound
assessment
instruments.
Please conduct an analysis of
all of the current
behavioral/social/emotional
assessments used by school
personnel to, address
identified areas of concern
and report the results to the
Department.
Please provide appropriate
staff with training on the
selection of assessments to
ensure that all assessments
used by the district are valid
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 3 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Please provide a report including a
narrative description of the district’s
analysis of its
behavioral/social/emotional
assessments with a description of its
findings and remedies. This progress
report is due November 4, 2011.
Please provide evidence of
professional development, such as
signed attendance sheets and
agendas, conducted for all staff
qualified to conduct the above
mentioned assessments. This
progress report is due November 4,
2011.
Please submit a report of the results
of the internal monitoring. Please
include the following:
1) The number of records reviewed;
2) The number of records in
compliance;
3) For all records not in compliance
with this criterion, determine 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
instruments.
In addition, the district must
conduct internal monitoring
of a sample of student
records of students in need of
behavioral/social/emotional
assessments conducted after
the district implemented its
approved corrective action to
determine if the district is
compliant with the
requirements of this
criterion.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 2
Required and
Optional
Assessments

Document
Review
Student
The review of
district
documentation,
student records and
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 4 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
root cause of noncompliance and
identify the district plan to remedy
the noncompliance.
This progress report is due
February 3, 2012.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
Records
staff interviews
indicated that the
district no longer
conducts a record
review in place of an
evaluation at the
three-year
evaluation.
Interviews
SE 3
Determination
of specific
learning
disability
PI
Student
Records
Interviews
The review of
student records and
staff interviews
indicated that while
the district
developed written
determinations
related to identifying
Specific Learning
Disabilities (SLD),
those determinations
were sometimes
missing the required
observational
component.
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
The district must develop an
internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure
that school personnel
complete all components of
the determination to identify
a SLD.
Please provide IEP Team
Chairpersons with training
on the implementation of the
SLD determination process
and forms consistent with the
requirements of this
criterion.
Subsequent to the
implementation of all the
district’s corrective actions,
the district must conduct
internal monitoring of a
sample of student records to
ensure SLD determinations
include all required elements.
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 5 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Submit a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system based
on the specific corrective actions the
district took to resolve the identified
issues. Please identify the person(s)
responsible for oversight of these
activities. This progress report is due
by November 4, 2011.
Please provide evidence of
professional development, such as
signed attendance sheets with staff
names and roles and agendas. This
progress report is due November 4,
2011.
Please submit a report of the results
of the internal monitoring. Please
include the following:
1) The number of records reviewed
by level;
2) The number of records in
compliance by level;
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
Select a sample of 15 student
records representative of
elementary, middle, high
school and out of district
placements for initial or reevaluations for specific
learning disability. Look for
evidence of a written
determination, which
includes all components
including a classroom
observation and is signed by
all members of the Team, or
if there is disagreement as to
the determination, one or
more Team members
document their
disagreement.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 6 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
3) For all records not in compliance
with this criterion, determine the
root cause of noncompliance and
identify the district plan to remedy
the noncompliance.
This progress report is due
February 3, 2012.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

SE 4

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Report of
Assessment
Results
SE 6
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
Student
Records
The review of
student records and
staff interviews
indicated that
assessment reports
consistently provided
summaries,
recommendations
and diagnostic
impressions of the
evaluator.
Interviews

Student
Records
Transition
Planning
Interviews
SE 9
Timeline for
determination
PI
Student
Records
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
The review of
student records and
staff interviews
indicated that the
district is annually
discussing a
student’s transition
needs at age fourteen
and that IEP Teams
are annually
updating the
Transition Planning
form.
The review of
student records and
staff interviews
The district must examine
the root cause(s) of the delay
in the completion of
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 7 of 20
Submit a detailed narrative
description of what the district
determined was the root cause(s) of
Criterion
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
Interviews
indicated that the
district did not
always complete
initial or reevaluation
assessments within
the 30-day mandated
timeline nor did they
always provide the
proposed IEP and
placement to the
parent within the 45day mandated
timeline for
assessing the student,
holding a meeting
and making the
eligibility
determination.
consented to assessments
within 30 school working
days and holding the
determination of whether the
student is eligible for special
education within 45 school
working days.
The district must indicate the
corrective action steps
initiated to address the
identified causes of
noncompliance.
Subsequent to its analysis,
the district must develop an
internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure
that all required assessments
are conducted within the
timelines.
Provide training to staff
responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system.
Subsequent to the
implementation of all the
district’s corrective actions,
the district must conduct
internal monitoring of a
sample of student records to
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 8 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
noncompliance with this criterion
and the corrective actions the district
will implement with associated
timelines. This progress report is due
by November 4, 2011.
Provide a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system.
Please identify the person(s)
responsible for oversight of these
activities. This progress report is due
by November 4, 2011.
Provide evidence of training to staff
that is responsible for maintaining
the tracking system. Include the
agenda, signed attendance sheets,
indicating title/role of staff and the
name and title of the presenter by
November 4, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of the
internal review of student records.
Indicate the number of records
reviewed and the number or records
in compliance with the regulatory
requirements. For all records not in
compliance, please identify the root
cause(s) of the noncompliance and
provide the actions taken to remedy
the noncompliance. This progress
report is due by February 3, 2012.
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
ensure compliance with the
30 and 45 working day
timelines as described above.
Select a sample of 15 student
records representative of
elementary, middle, high
school and out of district
placements for initial or reevaluations. Look for
evidence that the timelines
were met.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that the district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation

Document
Review
Student
Records
The review of
district
documentation, the
review of student
records, as well as
staff interviews,
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 9 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews
SE 18A
IEP
Development
and Content
PI
Interviews
Document
Review
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
indicated that the
district no longer
conducts a record
review in place of a
reevaluation.
Staff interviews and
district
documentation
indicated that there
was limited space for
students at the high
school level that
were originally
assigned to a
resource room on
their IEPs at the
middle school level.
The district must inform all
principals that the
determination of services and
the placement of a student
cannot be changed outside of
the IEP Team meeting
process. Principals do not
have the authority to order a
change of the student’s
placement based on the
student’s standardized test
scores.
Interviews indicated
that each high school
was assigned two
resource room
teachers regardless
of the number of
students coming
from the middle
school level with
direct services
indicated on the
students’ IEPs
requiring a partial
inclusion placement.
The district must examine its
current practices and
resources at the high school
level for students who
require partial inclusion
settings to ensure these
students’ IEPs are
implemented consistent with
the IEP and placement
determined by the IEP team.
Please provide a narrative of
the district’s review and
explain how the district will
ensure oversight of the
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 10 of 20
Please provide evidence of the
training to principals. Include the
agenda, signed attendance sheets,
indicating title/role of staff and the
name and title of the presenter by
November 4, 2011.
Please indicate the outcomes of the
district’s root cause analysis and the
specific actions taken to address the
practices and resource allocation at
the high schools with associated
timelines by November 4, 2011.
Provide a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system.
Please identify the person(s)
responsible for oversight of these
activities. This progress report is due
by November 4, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of the
internal review of student records.
Indicate the number of records
reviewed and the number or records
in compliance with the regulatory
requirements. For all records not in
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
Because of this, one
or both of the
following occurs at
each school:
a. The instructional
groupings exceed the
instructional
grouping
requirements. (See
SE 40)
b. Students are
removed from their
resource rooms by a
principal before the
beginning of the
school year
depending on how
well these students
have scored on
previous
standardized testing.
In these cases, an
IEP meeting is held
after the principal’s
determination once
the school year is in
progress to place the
student in a full
inclusion setting.
placement of students who
transition from the middle
schools to the high schools.
Upon completion of the
previous corrective action
steps, the district must
conduct an internal review of
a sample of student records
for students who have
transitioned from the middle
school to the high school to
ensure that their program
placement was not changed
before conducting an IEP
meeting and obtaining
parental consent to the IEP
and placement.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that the district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 11 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
compliance, please identify the root
cause(s) of the noncompliance and
provide the actions taken to remedy
the noncompliance. This progress
report is due by February 3, 2012.
Criterion
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
provision of
IEP to parent
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
Interviews
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
The review of
student records and
staff interviews
indicated that the
district did not
always provide the
parent with the
proposed IEP
immediately
following its
development.
The district must examine
the root cause(s) of the delay
in the provision of the
proposed IEP and placement
to parents by reviewing a
sample of annual reviews,
initial evaluations and reevaluations from the past
school year from each
building. The district must
indicate the corrective action
steps initiated to address the
identified causes of
noncompliance.
Subsequent to its analysis,
the district must develop an
internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure
that the district provides the
parent with two copies of the
proposed IEP and placement
along with the required
notice immediately following
the development of the IEP.
Provide training to staff
responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system which
should be based on the
Department’s December
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 12 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Please submit a detailed narrative
description of what the district
determined was the root cause(s) of
noncompliance with this criterion
and the specific actions taken to
address these issues along with
associated timelines by November
4, 2011.
Submit a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system based
on the specific corrective actions the
district took to resolve the identified
issues. Please identify the person(s)
responsible for oversight of these
activities. This progress report is due
by November 4, 2011.
Provide evidence of training to the
staff responsible for maintaining the
tracking system and ensuring that the
“immediate” provision of the IEP
and placement is met. Include the
agenda, signed attendance sheets,
indicating title/role of staff and the
name and title of the presenter by
November 4, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of the
internal review of student records.
Indicate the number of records
reviewed and the number of records
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
2006 advisory found at:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/n
ews/news.asp?id=3182
Subsequent to the
implementation of all the
district’s corrective actions,
the district must conduct
internal monitoring of a
sample of student records to
determine compliance with
the regulation that mandates
that the district must provide
the IEP and placement to
parents immediately
following the IEP Team
meeting. Select a sample of
15 student records
representative of elementary,
middle, high school and out
of district placements for
annual, initial or reevaluation Team meetings.
Look for evidence that the
timelines were met according
to the Department’s advisory
listed above.
Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that the district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 13 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
in compliance with the regulatory
requirements. For all records not in
compliance, please identify the root
cause(s) of the noncompliance and
provide the actions taken to remedy
the noncompliance. This progress
report is due by February 3, 2012.
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
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 19

Student
Records
Extended
Evaluations
Interviews
SE 20
Least
restrictive
program
selected
PI
Interviews
Student
Records
The review of
student records and
staff interviews
indicated that
extended evaluation
procedures were
appropriately
implemented.
Staff interviews
indicated that the
least restrictive
setting is not always
based on the needs
of the students, but
on district resource
availability. Please
see SE 18A for
additional
information
including the
district’s Corrective
Action requirements.
Please see SE 18A.
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 14 of 20
Please see SE 18A.
Criterion
SE 25
Parental
Consent
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
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 review of
student records
indicated that while
consent forms are
signed, either
required or
completed
assessments are not
always indicated on
the consent form or
in some instances,
not all the
assessments that are
on the form were
administered.
The district must complete
the missing consented-to
assessments for those
individual students identified
by the Department. Upon
completion of the
assessments, the district must
reconvene IEP Teams to
review the results of the
assessments and determine
whether the individual
student’s current IEP is
appropriate.
Interviews
The district must analyze the
root cause of the
noncompliance, i.e. why
required or completed
assessments are not always
indicated on the consent
form and why all the
assessments that are on the
consent form are not always
administered. Upon
completion of the analysis,
please develop the
appropriate corrective action
which should include an
internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 15 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
For individual students identified by
the Department as missing
consented-to assessments, provide
copies of the assessment summaries,
the Meeting Invitation (N-3) as well
as either the Notice of Action (N-1)
or the Notice of School District
Refusal to Act (N-2) as evidence that
the IEP Teams reconvened and
reviewed the assessment results by
November 4, 2011. The names of
these individual students will be
mailed separately to the district to
maintain student confidentiality.
Submit a detailed narrative
description of what the district
determined was the root cause of
noncompliance with this criterion
and the specific actions taken to
address these issues along with
associated timelines. Also, submit a
description of the internal oversight
and tracking system based on the
specific corrective actions the
district took to resolve the identified
issues. Please identify the person(s)
responsible for oversight of these
activities. This progress report is due
by November 4, 2011.
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
that consented-to evaluations
are completed and
required/completed
assessments are consented-to
by reviewing a sample of
recent evaluations or
reevaluations.
Provide training to staff
responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system.
Conduct an internal review
of a sample of 15 student
records across school levels
in which assessments were
completed for either initial
evaluations or re-evaluations
conducted subsequent to the
completion of all corrective
actions.
Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that school
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 16 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Provide evidence of training to staff
that are responsible for maintaining
the tracking system. Include the
agenda, signed attendance sheets,
indicating title/role of staff and the
name and title of the presenter by
November 4, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of the
internal review of student records
throughout the district. Indicate the
number of records reviewed and the
number or records in compliance
with the regulatory requirements.
For all records not in compliance,
please identify the root cause(s) of
the noncompliance and provide the
actions taken to remedy the
noncompliance. This progress report
is due by February 3, 2012.
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
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 34
PI
Continuum of
Alternative
Services
SE 35
Interviews

Document
Review
Student
Records
Interviews
SE 40
See SE 18A.
See SE 18A.
The district must analyze the
root cause(s) of the
noncompliance at each of the
six high schools, relative to
instructional grouping
requirements for students in
resource rooms. The district
must implement the
appropriate corrective action
which should include an
internal oversight system to
ensure that instructional
Please submit a detailed narrative
description of what the district
determined was the root cause(s) of
noncompliance with this criterion at
each high school and the actions
taken to address this issue including
associated timelines. Also, submit a
description of the internal oversight
and tracking system. Please identify
the person(s) responsible for
oversight of these activities. This
progress report is due by November
Document
Review
Assistive
Technology
Instructional
grouping
requirements
for students
aged five and
older
See SE 18A.
PI
Interviews
Document
Review
Documentation,
record reviews and
interviews
demonstrate that
assistive technology
is routinely
considered for all
students with
disabilities.
Staff interviews and
a review of district
documentation
indicated that all six
high schools at the
main high school
campus have
multiple instances of
non compliance
relative to
instructional
grouping
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 17 of 20
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
requirements.
Specifically, for
students in resource
room classes. See
also SE 18A.
grouping requirements are
not exceeded at all high
schools.
Provide training to high
school principals, guidance
counselors and other high
school administrators
responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system.
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
4, 2011.
Please provide evidence of training
to high school principals, guidance
counselors and other high school
administrators who are responsible
for monitoring instructional
grouping sizes at each of the six high
schools in Lawrence at its main high
school campus. Please include a list
of staff in attendance and the agenda.
This progress report is due by
November 4, 2011.
Please submit all instructional
groupings for all six high schools at
the main campus including the
names of students, special education
teachers and any paraprofessional
assigned to each resource room
instructional grouping. For all
instructional groupings not in
compliance, please identify the root
cause(s) of the noncompliance and
provide the actions taken to remedy
the noncompliance. This progress
report is due by February 3, 2012.
SE 41
Age Span
Requirements

Interviews
Document
Review
Staff interviews and
a review of district
documentation
indicated that at the
time of the review,
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 18 of 20
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
the ages of the
youngest and oldest
student in any
instructional
grouping did not
differ by more than
48 months or the
district received an
approved age span
waiver from the
Department.
SE 43

Behavioral
Interventions
Student
Records
Interviews
SE 51
Appropriate
Special
Education

Interviews
Document
Review
The review of
student records and
staff interviews
indicated that when
there are students
whose behaviors
impede their learning
or the learning of
others, the Team
considered the need
for a functional
behavioral
assessment and a
behavior plan for
those students.
Staff interviews and
documentation
indicated that all of
the district’s special
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 19 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Teacher
Certifications
/Licensure
SE 55
Special
Education
Facilities and
Classrooms
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
education teachers at
its therapeutic
settings district-wide
are currently
certified in special
education.

Interviews
On-Site
Observations
Observation of
special education
facilities at both the
Leahy and the Bruce
Schools indicated
that speech/language
classes were being
conducted in
appropriate spaces.
Additionally, special
education classrooms
at the Arlington
School are
equivalent in all
physical respects to
the average
standards of general
education facilities
and classrooms.
Lawrence Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 30, 2011
Page 20 of 20
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Lawrence 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