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
October 6, 2010
Dr. Joseph Buckley, Interim Superintendent of Schools
Littleton Public Schools
33 Shattuck Street
Littleton, MA 01460
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Buckley:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district in April 2010. In this Midcycle 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 October 22, 2010.
Your staff's cooperation throughout this Mid-cycle Review is appreciated. If you have
1
questions about this letter or the enclosed report, please do not hesitate to contact Jane
Ewing at (781) 338-3741.
Sincerely,
Jane L. Ewing, Ed.D., 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
Shawna Stea, Chair, School Committee, Littleton Public Schools
Dianna Peterson, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
LITTLETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: April 29, 2010
Date of this Report: October 6, 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
Partially
Implemented
Student
record review
& Interview
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
The district regularly uses the
forms required to make a
determination of a specific
learning disability (SLD).
However, the student record
review showed that special
education staff and evaluators
attach their own observation forms
instead of the ESE’s mandated
form when making a determination
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Please provide training to district
special education staff and team
leaders on use of the required
observation form when making a
determination of a specific learning
disability (SLD).
Please conduct a sample record
review of students from each school
level with an SLD determination
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 1 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Please provide
evidence of
the district’s
special
education staff
training on the
requirements
for making a
determination
of SLD,
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
of a Specific Learning Disability.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
following the staff re-training for
evidence of use of the mandated
observation form.
.
Provide a detailed summary of the
district’s record review, including
student’s grade level; method of
determination; and the results of the
review.
including an
agenda, signed
attendance
sheets, and the
name and title
of the
presenter by
November 15,
2010.
Please note that 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 level for the record
review; b) Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who conducted
the review, their roles(s), and their
signature(s)
After the
training has
been
completed,
please submit:
1) The number
of student
records
reviewed;
2) The number
of student
records in
compliance;
3) For all
records not in
compliance
with this
criterion,
determine the
root cause(s)
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 2 of 17
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 noncompliance;
and 4) The
district’s plan
to remedy the
noncompliance by
February 7,
2011.
SE 52A
Registration
of educational
interpreters

Document
review &
Interview
The district currently does not have
a need for educational interpreters.
The Director of Pupil Personnel
Services provided a written
assurance that when an interpreter
is required to support a student, the
district will employ an individual
who is registered with the
Massachusetts Commission for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 3 of 17
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 2
Required and
optional assessments
SE 4
Reporting assessment
results
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)

Partially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
record review
& Interview
A review of student records
demonstrated that all
consented-to assessments were
consistently completed before
the students’ IEP Team
meetings.
Student
record review
& Interview
Student records showed that
psychological and related
service assessment reports did
not contain explicit means of
meeting the student’s needs.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Please conduct professional
development for all special
education staff conducting
psychological and related service
evaluations, including any
contracted related services
providers, on the requirements of
assessment summaries. Please be
sure to include information
regarding the requirement to
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 4 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Please provide
evidence of the
district’s special
education staff
training on
assessment
summaries,
including an
agenda, signed
attendance
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
provide both the date of the
evaluations and the date of the
actual report and the need to
include explicit means of meeting
the student’s needs.
sheets, and the
name and title of
the presenter by
November 15,
2010.
Please conduct a sample record
review of students evaluated or
re-evaluated post-training,
including those receiving related
services, for the timeliness of the
assessment and the completion of
assessment summaries.
After the training
has been
completed,
please submit:
1) The number of
student records
reviewed;
2) The number of
student records
in compliance;
3) For all records
not in
compliance with
this criterion,
determine the
root cause(s) of
the noncompliance; and
4) The district’s
plan to remedy
the noncompliance by
February 7,
2011.
Please note that 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
level for the record review; b)
Date of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted the
review, their roles(s), and their
signature(s)
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 5 of 17
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
SE 6
Determination of
transition services

Student
record review
& Interview
Student records indicated that
the district routinely considers
the transition needs of students
no later than their 14th birthday.
The IEP Team reviews the plan
annually and updates the
information on the IEP as
appropriate. If the student
requires a 688 referral, this
discussion is documented in the
IEP and on the Transition
Planning Form. Outside
agencies are invited to IEP
Team meetings as appropriate.
SE 7
Transfer of parental
rights at age of
majority

Student
record
review,
Document
review &
Interview
The student record review
demonstrated that students are
notified one year in advance of
the transfer of parental rights at
the age of majority; the district
submitted detailed notices to
send to parents and students
explaining the options for
decision-making.
SE 8
IEP Team
composition and
attendance

Student
record review
& Interview
Student records demonstrated
that staff members use the IEP
Team member excusal form if
a key person cannot attend. The
record review also showed that
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 6 of 17
(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
general education teachers
were in attendance at IEP
meetings for students in partial
and full inclusion placements.
Documentation and the
interview with the Pupil
Personnel Services Director
indicated that general
education teachers have
consistently attended IEP
meetings. The district has
trained special educations staff
on the responsibilities of the
IEP chairperson.
SE 11
Request for an
independent
educational
evaluation

Document
review,
Student
record review
& Interview
The district revised its request
for an independent educational
evaluation (IEE) to include the
federal regulatory citation. The
record review demonstrated
that the district holds a meeting
following an IEE to consider
whether to make changes to the
IEP based on the independent
evaluation results.
SE 12
Frequency of reevaluations

Student
records &
Interview
The student record review
indicated that the district
conducts a full re-evaluation
consistent with the
requirements of federal law and
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 7 of 17
(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
with parent consent every three
years unless the parent and
district agree that it is
unnecessary.
SE 14
Revision and review
of IEPs
Partially
Implemented
Student
records &
Interview
The record review
demonstrated that the district
does not consistently use the
IEP amendment appropriately.
Amendments cannot be used to
change a student’s placement
from inclusion to a private
special education school.
Please conduct professional
development for all special
education staff on the use of
amendments for IEPs.
Please conduct a sample record
review of students whose IEPs
were amended post training for
appropriate use of IEP
amendments.
Please note that 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
level for the record review; b)
Date of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted the
review, their roles(s), and their
signature(s)
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 8 of 17
Please provide
evidence of the
district’s special
education staff
training on the
use of
amendments for
IEPs, including
an agenda,
signed
attendance
sheets, and the
name and title of
the presenter by
November 15,
2010.
After the training
has been
completed,
please submit:
1) The number of
student records
reviewed;
2) The number of
student 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
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
in compliance;
3) For all records
not in
compliance with
this criterion,
determine the
root cause(s) of
the noncompliance; and
4) The district’s
plan to remedy
the noncompliance by
January 5,
2011.
SE 15
Outreach by school
district (Child Find)

Document
review &
Interview
The district provided
documentation of its expanded
Child Find activities, which
now includes community
health care centers, a group
home, in-district charter
schools, an extensive list of
local private and parochial
schools and Early Intervention
and pre-school sites. In
addition, the district posts
Child Find notices in the local
newspaper.
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 9 of 17
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
SE 18A
IEP development and
content

Student
record review
& Interview
The student record review
demonstrated that district IEPs
are completed addressing all
elements of the most current
IEP format provided by the
Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education.
SE 21
School day and
school year
requirements

Student
record review
& Interview
A review of student records
demonstrated that IEP Teams
routinely develop extended
school year (ESY)
programming for students at
various times during the school
year, generally determined by
the scheduled date of the IEP
Team meeting.
SE 22
IEP implementation
and availability

Document
review &
Interview
According to documentation
and interview, the district
expanded its’ Applied
Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
services by hiring specialists
and contracting outside
agencies for consultation and
collaboration. District-wide
and building-specific staffing
issues are regularly discussed,
with prompt postings and
realignment of responsibilities.
The district submitted
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 10 of 17
(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
examples of service
interruption letters; these letters
met all state regulatory
requirements.
SE 24
Notice to parents

SE 29
Communications are
in English and
primary language of
home
No
Partially
Implemented
Student
record
review,
Document
review &
Interview
Student records and document
review demonstrated that the
district promptly responds
within five days to parent
and/or teacher requests for
referrals for an evaluation. The
district discontinued its
practice of having principals
sign off or approve referrals
before contacting parents.
Student
record review
The district uses a translation
waiver for parents whose
primary language is not
English to waive the district’s
obligation to have
documentation translated into
their primary language. Parents
cannot be asked to waive their
right to translated materials.
The Home Language Survey
should be used to identify the
primary language of the home.
If the primary language is other
than English then the
parent/guardian must be
Discontinue the use of the waiver.
Provide training to all appropriate
staff members on the
requirements of SE 29; ensure
that district personnel know to
check a family’s Home Language
Survey or enrollment materials
for the primary language of the
home.
Post training; please conduct a
sample record review of student
records of families whose primary
language is not English to verify
that translations occur as
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 11 of 17
Please provide
evidence of the
district’s special
education staff
training on the
requirement to
provide
parents/guardians
with oral
interpretation
and translations
when their
primary language
is not English.
Please include an
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
provided translated
communications in a language
that they understand.
indicated.
Please note that 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
level for the record review; b)
Date of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted the
review, their roles(s), and their
signature(s)
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 12 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
agenda, signed
attendance
sheets, and the
name and title of
the presenter by
November 15,
2010.
After the training
has been
completed,
please submit:
1) The number of
student records
reviewed;
2) The number of
student records
in compliance;
3) For all records
not in
compliance with
this criterion,
determine the
root cause(s) of
the noncompliance; and
4) The district’s
plan to remedy
the noncompliance by
February 7,
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
2011.
SE 32
Parent advisory
council

Document
review &
Interview
Document review and
interview demonstrated that the
district expanded the activities
of the district’s SPEDPAC,
including providing website
space for postings, developing
a study committee, soliciting
the involvement of parents with
students in out-of-district
placements, and providing
access to its members to the
School Committee on a regular
basis.
SE 34
Continuum of
alternative services
and placements

Document
review &
Interview
The district’s documentation
indicated that the district
addressed the needs of students
with behavioral issues by
hiring a behavioral specialist
and contracting for services
delivered in-district. Students
with adaptive physical
education needs have access to
contracted services with a
Physical Therapist or an
adaptive PE agency. The
district expanded its
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 13 of 17
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
involvement with a local
vocational-technical school so
that middle school students can
explore areas of interest. The
district also developed
contracts with outside agencies
to address pre-vocational and
work programs. Finally, the
district recently identified the
need for a language-based
special education specialist and
has posted a position for the
2010-2011 school year.
SE 37
Procedure for
approved and
unapproved out-ofdistrict placements

Student
record review
& Interview
Student record review
demonstrated that monitoring
plans and contracts are in the
student files as required.
Monitoring plans were detailed
and complete.
SE 40
Instructional
grouping
requirements

Document
review &
Interview
Examination of the district’s
2009-2010 special education
class schedules demonstrated
that instructional groupings
have appropriate student to
staff ratios. The Pupil
Personnel Director and school
principals meet weekly;
discussions about possible
changes in staffing and
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 14 of 17
(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
instructional groupings are
ongoing.
SE 41
Age span
requirements

Document
review &
Interview
Student schedules
demonstrated that students’
ages do not exceed 48 months
in any of the district’s special
education classes.
The district submitted an
approved age span waiver from
September 2009 for the CASE
Collaborative substantially
separate classroom housed at
the Russell Street Elementary
School. The district also
attached a February 2010 letter
to parents regarding the
opening of a new classroom at
the Russell Street Elementary
School to address this issue.
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities exceeding
10 days

Student
record
review,
Document
review &
Interview
Student record review
demonstrated that when the
district holds a manifestation
determination, a key group of
individuals attends the meeting.
The district’s manifestation
determination document was
revised to address the prior
inclusion of outdated federal
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 15 of 17
(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
legal provisions.
SE 47
Procedural
requirements applied
to students not yet
determined to be
eligible

Document
review &
Interview
The district revised the forms
for manifestation determination
documents for students not yet
found to be eligible for special
education. This document was
circulated to all administration
staff, including all school
principals, and is currently in
the district’s handbook in the
revised form.
SE 51
Appropriate special
education teacher
certification/licensure

Document
review &
Interview
The district provided copies of
licenses and certificates for all
special education teachers
employed in the district; all
were current.
SE 52
Appropriate
certifications/licenses
– related services

Document
review &
Interview
The district provided copies of
licenses and certificates for all
related services providers in the
district. All staff members were
appropriately certified and
licensed.
SE 56
Special education
programs and
services are
evaluated

Document
review &
Interview
Document review
demonstrated that the district
evaluated special education
programming yearly for the
past three (3) years, including a
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 16 of 17
(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
self-assessment for the 20072008 CPR, a parent survey for
Indicator 11 in 2008-2009; a
2008-2009 NECC evaluation;
compiled parent data from
Team meeting evaluations
(ongoing); another evaluation
done in March 2010; and the
evaluation provided yearly by
CASE Collaborative
identifying the district’s needs.
Littleton Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 6, 2010
Page 17 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
LITTLETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
M I D – CY C L E P R O G R E S S R E P O R TS
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