The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Education
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
November 14, 2007
Carlos Aponte, Director
Lowell Community Charter School
206 Jackson St.
Lowell, MA 01852
Re: ’06 Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
Dear Mr. Aponte:
Enclosed is the Department of Education's ’06 Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report (Mid-Cycle
Report). Due to an administrative error, the information from that review was never transmitted to the district.
We regret the oversight and have adjusted all requested reporting as a result. This report contains findings based
on onsite monitoring conducted to verify the implementation and effectiveness of corrective action approved by
the Department to address findings of noncompliance included in the Lowell Community Charter School
Coordinated Program Review Report issued on July 7, 2003. The ’06 Mid-cycle Report also contains findings
based on onsite monitoring of special education compliance criteria that have been newly created or substantially
changed in response to IDEA 2004.
As you know, another component of the Department’s Mid-cycle Review is the review of your school district or
charter school's self-assessment in the area of English learner education (ELE). (In the remainder of this letter,
please read “district” as meaning “school district or charter school.”) The purpose of this review is to determine
whether your district is implementing the significant changes in M.G.L. Chapter 71A, governing the education of
limited English proficient students, that were adopted by voters by means of Question 2 in 2002. The Department
has reviewed your district’s ELE self-assessment documents and, based solely on that self-assessment, is
providing you in this report with comments on your ELE program and, where necessary, corrective action to be
implemented. Your district is urged to request technical assistance in relation to any of these comments or
prescribed corrective action. To secure assistance, you may consult with your Mid-cycle Review Chairperson.
You may also consult with staff in the Department’s Office of Language Acquisition and Achievement at 781338-3534 and obtain additional ELE guidance documents through the Department’s web site at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/.
While the Department of Education found your district to have resolved certain noncompliance issues, others
were partially corrected or not addressed at all, or the Department’s onsite team identified new issues of
noncompliance, either noncompliance with special education criteria added or substantially changed in response
to IDEA 2004, noncompliance with ELE criteria, or other new noncompliance. Where the district has failed to
implement its approved Corrective Action Plan, the Department views these findings to be serious.
In all instances where noncompliance has been found, the Department has prescribed corrective action for the
district that must be implemented without delay. You will find these requirements for corrective action included
in the attached report, along with requirements for progress reporting. Please provide the Department with your
written assurance that all of the Department's requirements for corrective action will be implemented by your
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 1 of 17
school district within the timelines specified. Your statement of assurance must be submitted to the Mid-cycle
Review Chairperson by November 30, 2007.
Your staff's cooperation throughout these follow-up monitoring activities is appreciated. Should you like
clarification of any part of our report, please do not hesitate to contact the Mid-cycle Review Chairperson at 781338-3747.
Sincerely,
Joel Krakow, Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Assistant Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
cc:
Jeffrey Nellhaus, Acting Commissioner of Education
Thel Sar, Charter School Board Chairperson
Rhonda Page, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Encl.: Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 2 of 17
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT
Lowell Community Charter School
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL NONCOMPLIANCE REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Date of Coordinated Program Review: May 2, 5-7, 2003
Date of Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Plan Approval: November 10, 2003
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: 10/5, 10/29, 2004
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: March 7-8, 2006
Date of this Report: November 14, 2007
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Special
Education
Criteria
Originally
Cited in CPR
Report and
Monitored in
Mid-cycle
SE 1

Review of
Review of records
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 3 of 17
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Assessments
Student records
and
documentation
demonstrated that students
are assessed in all suspected
areas of disability.
SE 2
Optional
Assessments

Review of
student records
and
documentation.
Review of records
demonstrated that the district
is completing all required
assessments.
SE 9
Eligibility
Determination

Review of
student records
and
documentation
Review of records
demonstrated that the district
is making eligibility
determinations within
regulatory time requirements.
SE 16
Screening

Review of
student records
and
documentation
Review of records
demonstrated that the district
is completing required health
screenings
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 4 of 17
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
SE 18B
Determination
Of Placement
SE 32
Parent
Advisory
Council
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Review of
student records
and
documentation
Review of records
demonstrated that the district
consistently develops the IEP
within regulatory time
requirements.


Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified


Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Review of documentation
and staff interviews
showed that although the
charter school is
continuing to develop its
PAC, all regulatory
requirements are not
currently being met.
Documentation that the
PAC participates in the
planning, implementation
and evaluation of the
charter school’s special
Please submit documentation
of the PAC’s bylaws, meeting
agendas, participant lists and
the annual parent’s rights
training to the Department.
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 5 of 17
Due date: March 14, 2008
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
education program was
not provided. Also, there
is no evidence that the
charter school has
provided, in conjunction
with the PAC, the
required parent rights
training.
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 6 of 17
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
SE 45
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Review of
documentation,
student records
and staff
interviews.
Review of documentation
demonstrated that the student
handbook contains notice
pertaining to procedural
protections for students with
disabilities.

Review of
documentation
and staff
interviews.
Review of documentation
showed that procedural
protections are in place for
students not yet determined
eligible for special education.

Suspension
SE 47
Students Not
Yet Eligible
SE 51
Teacher
Certification
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified


Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Review of documentation
and interviews
demonstrated that not all
staff currently hold
appropriate certifications
and/or waivers.
Please submit copies of all
staff certifications and/or
waivers to the Department by
March 14, 2008.
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 7 of 17
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
SE 53
Paraprofessionals
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective


Review of
documentation
and staff
interviews.
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Review of documentation
and interviews showed that
the charter school does not
use paraprofessionals.
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 8 of 17
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 54
Professional
Development

Review of
student records
and
documentation
Review of documentation
demonstrated that the charter
school meets regulatory
professional development
requirements.
SE 55
Facilities

Onsite tour of
facilities
Onsite tour of facilities
showed that facilities for
special education students
are comparable to those for
regular education students.
SE 56
Evaluation of
Services and
Programs
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified


Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Review of documentation
and interviews.
Review of documentation and
interviews showed that the
charter school has not yet
conducted an evaluation of its
special education programs and
services.
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 9 of 17
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Please submit the plan to meet
this criterion to the Department
by March 14, 2008.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Special
Education
Criteria
created or
revised in
response to
IDEA-2004
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Implemented
Criterion
Determined
to be
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 10 of 17
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
SE 6
Determination
of Transition
Services

SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and attendance

Review of
student records,
documentation
and interviews
Review of student records
and interviews
demonstrated that the
requirements for team
composition and
attendance are being met.
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation

Review of
student records,
documentation
and interviews.
Review of student records
and interviews
demonstrated that
evaluations are completed
at least every three years.
SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content

Record and
documentation
review
Review of student records
demonstrated that progress
reports include what
students have achieved and
how their progress relates
to the benchmarks and IEP
goals.
SE 14
Review and
revision of
IEPs

Record and
documentation
review
Review of student records
demonstrated that IEPs are
reviewed annually.
The charter school only
serves students in grades
K-8
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 11 of 17
SE 25B
Resolution of
disputes

Review of
documentation
and staff
interviews
Staff interviews indicated
that the charter school has
not needed to conduct any
resolution meetings but it
is prepared, if necessary, to
participate in the resolution
meeting process prior to
proceeding to the BSEA .
SE 30
Notice of
procedural
safeguards

Review of
documentation
and student
records
Written statements signed
by parents demonstrating
that parents had received a
copy of the Notice of
Procedural Safeguards
were contained in the
student records.
Review of
documentation,
student records
and staff
interviews.
Although interviews
indicated that the charter
school has not suspended
any students with
disabilities for more than
ten days, regulatory
policies are in place.
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
more than 10
days

Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 12 of 17
Lowell Community Charter School
English Learner Education (ELE) Requirements
Mid-Cycle Review Comments and Corrective Action Based on the Department’s Review Of Local Self-Assessments
(Please refer to full text of 2005-2006 CPR-ELE legal requirements and related implementation guidance at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/instrument/chapter71A.doc )
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
ELE 1
Annual
Assessment
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
The charter school is conducting required MEPA and MELAO assessments.
ELE 2
MCAS
Participation
English Language Learners participate in MCAS.
ELE 3
Initial
Identification
The charter school appropriately conducts a home language
survey.
ELE 4
Waiver
Procedures
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
The charter school has not yet developed and documented
appropriate waiver procedures.
The charter school will develop waiver procedures consistent with the
requirements of M.G.L/ c. 71A s5.
To be submitted to the Department by March 14, 2008.
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 13 of 17
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
ELE 5
Program
Placement and
Structure
The charter provided a description of its ELE program,
including evidence of teacher licensure and professional
development for ELE teachers.
ELE 6
Program Exit
and Readiness
The charter school provided a description of its
implementation practices.
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
ELE 7
Parent
Involvement
The charter school is in the developmental process of
organizing workshops for parents.
The charter school will submit documentation of its implementation practices,
and documentation of school council and parent advisory council memberships,
identifying how it involves parents of English Language Learners in matters
pertaining to their children’s education.
To be submitted to the Department by March 14, 2008.
ELE 8
Declining Entry
to a Program
The charter school did not provide a description of its
implementation practices.
The charter school will provide the Department with a description of its
implementation practices that includes the following: 1) A description of how the
charter school provides English language support to students whose parent(s) has
declined entry into an SEI or other ELE program, 2) how the charter school
addresses a student’s needs if a student who has “opted out” is not progressing,
3) how the charter school ensures these students have access to the general
curriculum.
To be submitted to the Department by March 14, 2008.
ELE 9
Instructional
Grouping
The charter school provided a description of its
implementation practices pertaining to groups of students of
different ages. All LEP students receive effective content
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 14 of 17
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
instruction at appropriate academic levels based on the
Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.
ELE 10
Parental
Notification
The district provided documentation that it appropriately
provides written notifications to parents.
ELE 11
Equal Access to
Academic
Programs and
Services
The charter school provided documentation showing that
Limited English Proficient students have access to all program
areas, including Special Education services.
ELE 12
Equal Access to
Nonacademic
and Extracurricular
Programs
The charter school provided documentation that LEP students
have equal access to access to nonacademic programs and
extracurricular activities.
ELE 13
Follow-up
Support
ELE 14
Licensure and
The charter school provided a description of its
implementation practices.
Review of documentation and interviews showed that not all
of the charter school’s ELE staff are appropriately certified.
The charter school will submit documentation that all ELE staff are appropriately
certified or hold waivers issued by the Department.
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 15 of 17
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Fluency
Requirements
ELE 15
Professional
Development
Requirements
ELE 16
Equitable
Facilities (To be reviewed
during next
CPR visit)
ELE 17
DOE Data
Submission
Requirements
and Program
Evaluation
ELE 18 Records
of LEP
Students(To be reviewed
during next
CPR visit.)
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
To be submitted by March 14, 2008.
The charter school provided documentation that it provides
ongoing professional training activities for its staff.
Facility observations indicated that LEP students are provided
facilities, materials and services comparable to those provided
to the overall student population.
Review of documentation and interviews indicated that the
charter school has not yet developed program evaluation
procedures.
The charter school will develop a plan for evaluating its ELE program. The plan
and evaluation activities need to be submitted to the Department.
Due date: March 14, 2008.
Review of documents showed that the charter school
maintains its ELE records in accordance with regulatory
requirements.
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 16 of 17
Mid-cycle Report Format 2006.doc
Rev. 3/31/06
Lowell Community Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
November 14, 2007
Page 17 of 17