Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
April 1, 2009
Dr. Chris Scott, Superintendent
Lowell Public Schools
155 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Dr. Scott:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district on March 17, 2009. In this
Mid-cycle Review, the Department monitored selected special education criteria to
determine your district’s compliance with special education laws and regulations. The
review consisted of staff interviews, review of student records, examination of
documentation, and/or classroom observation.
We are pleased to tell you that the Department has found your district to be in compliance
with all of the criteria monitored in your district during the Mid-cycle Review. The
findings of the Department are included in the enclosed report. You and your entire staff
are to be congratulated for your success in implementing the requirements included in
these criteria.
The Department will notify you of your district's next regularly scheduled Coordinated
Program Review (CPR) several months before it is to occur. At this time we anticipate
that this CPR will occur sometime during the 2011-2012 school year unless the
Department determines that there is some reason to schedule this visit earlier.
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 Dr.
Elizabeth Young at 781-338-3729.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth M. Young, E.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 L. Paolillo, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
John J. Leahy, School Committee Chairperson
Deborah Westaway, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Lowell Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: March 17, 2009
Date of this Report: April 1, 2009
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN TWO SECTIONS.
Core Special Education Criteria Cited in CPR Report and Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
(These criteria are marked with a triple asterisk (***) in the Mid-cycle Review Information Package and in the School
District Information Package for Special Education.)
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 22
IEP
implementation
and availability
Criterion
Implemented

Yes
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Review of
documentation
and student
records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The student record review and
district documentation
demonstrated that the district
implements IEPs upon consent as
required and meets all
requirements set forth in this
Lowell Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 1, 2009
Page 1 of 4
(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
criterion.
***SE 24
Yes
Review of
documentation
and student
records
The record review and district
documentation demonstrated that
the district provides notices that
meet the standards set forth in this
criterion.
Yes
Review of
documentation
and staff
interview
A review of the district’s
documentation and an interview
indicated that the district does not
have any deaf or hard of hearing
students who make use of
interpreters at this time. District
personnel are aware of the
requirements.
Yes
Review of
A review of district
Notice to parent
regarding
proposal or
refusal to initiate
or change the
identification,
evaluation, or
educational
placement of the
child or the
provision of
FAPE
***SE 52A
Registration of
educational
interpreters
***SE 53
Lowell Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 1, 2009
Page 2 of 4
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Use of
paraprofessionals
***SE 55
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms
Yes
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
documentation
and staff
interview
documentation demonstrated that
the district meets all standards set
forth in this criterion.
Additionally the district provided
assurance that para-professional
staff members do not design
instruction for students.
On site visit
and review of
district
documentation
Facilities review and district
documentation indicated that the
classroom at the Robinson School
was relocated and there are no
further facilities issues.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Lowell Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 1, 2009
Page 3 of 4
(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 52
Licensure
of Related
Service
Providers
Criterion
Implemented

Yes
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Review of
district
documentation
A review of the staff roster and
district documentation
demonstrated that all related
service providers hold
appropriate licenses and/or
credentials.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Lowell Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 1, 2009
Page 4 of 4
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements