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
July 7, 2010
Loxi Jo Calmes, Superintendent
Lunenburg Public Schools
1033 Massachusetts Avenue
Lunenburg, MA 01462
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Calmes:
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 Mid-cycle Review the Department monitored selected special education
criteria to determine your district’s compliance with special education laws and
regulations. The review consisted of information gathered from one or more of
the following activities: 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 July 26, 2010.
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
1
contact Betsy Holcombe at (781) 338-3717.
Sincerely,
Betsy Holcombe, 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
Elizabeth Y. Ahern, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Dr. David Reif, School Committee Chairperson
Elaine Blaisdell, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Lunenburg Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: April 8, 2010
Date of this Report: July 7, 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
Documentation
Interviews
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
A review of the student records
and a staff interview indicated that
the district is appropriately
evaluating students suspected of
having a specific learning
disability. The district is using the
all of the current SLD forms.
Written documentation was
evident in the student records,
including signed statements of
agreement of all IEP Team
members.
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 1 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Criterion
Implemented

Not
Applicable
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Documentation
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district does not currently
have any deaf or hard of hearing
students who require educational
interpreting and the district does
not currently employ any staff
members who are required to
register with Massachusetts
Commission for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing.
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 2 of 11
(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 6
Transition
Services
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
PI
Documentation
Interviews
Student
Records
Student records indicated that the
Team does not discuss the
transition needs of students
beginning no later than age 14,
does not consistently review the
Transition Planning Form
annually and the form is not
consistently included in the
student’s record as required.
The district will provide training
regarding the regulatory
requirements of transition planning
to appropriate middle and high
school level staff to ensure
development of transition plans for
students ages 14 years and older.
The district will develop a tracking
system for key personnel
responsible for ensuring Transition
Planning is done for each student
beginning no later than age 14 and
train appropriate staff members on
its use.
The district must conduct internal
monitoring of student records to
determine that all transition plans
for students age 14 years and older
are complete and updated annually
as required.
* Please note when conducting
internal monitoring that district
must maintain the following
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 3 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
The district will
provide evidence
of staff training
on the regulatory
requirements
related to
transition
planning, this
will include but
not be limited to
a training
agenda,
attendance sheet
and copies of the
materials
presented.
Please submit
this to the
Department on or
before October
15, 2010.
Submit a
narrative
description of the
tracking system
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
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).
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 4 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
and a copy of the
agenda and signin sheets for the
training on its
use by October
15, 2010.
Submit the
results of an
administrative
review of a
sample of student
records selected
subsequent to the
training for
evidence of
transition
planning.
Indicate the
number of
records reviewed,
the number found
to be compliant,
an explanation of
the root cause for
any continued
noncompliance
and a description
of additional
corrective actions
to be taken by 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
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
district to address
any identified
noncompliance.
Please submit
this to the
Department on or
before January
28, 2011.
SE 7
Transfer of
Parental Rights
PI
Documentation
Interviews
Student
Records
A review of student records and
interviews indicated that at the
Team meeting one year prior to a
student reaching age 18; the
district informs the students of
their right upon turning 18 to
make decisions related to special
education. However the district
is also at the same time securing
student consent at age 17, or if
the decision at the age of
majority is to share or delegate
decision-making, the district has
a form that is completed to
indicate decision-making
authority as shared or delegated
with signatures instead of
waiting until the student reaches
the age of majority as required.
The district is informing students of
their rights at the meeting one year
prior to the age 18, however the
district must not implement the
procedures to obtain consent or
document shared decision making
prior to the student attaining the
age of majority. The district must
review and update their procedures
related to the transfer of parental
rights for students who have
reached the age of majority and
training on the regulatory
requirements and district
procedures must be provided to
appropriate staff.
Further the district must conduct
internal monitoring of student
records to insure that students
approaching the age of majority are
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 5 of 11
The district will
submit the
updated
procedures
related to transfer
of parental rights
and evidence of
staff training, this
will include but
not be limited to
a training
agenda,
attendance sheet
and copies of the
materials
presented.
Please submit
this to the
Department on or
before October
15, 2010.
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
informed of their rights and that
procedures for obtaining consent
are initiated once the student has
reached age 18.
* 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).
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 6 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Submit the
results of an
administrative
review of a
sample of student
records,
subsequent to the
training, for
students who
have reached the
age of majority
to ensure that
student consent is
not made prior to
age 18. Indicate
the number of
records reviewed,
the number found
to be compliant,
an explanation of
the root cause for
any continued
noncompliance
and a description
of additional
corrective actions
to be taken by the
district to address
any identified
noncompliance.
Please submit
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
this to the
Department on or
before January
28, 2011.
SE 8
IEP
Team
Composition

Documentation
Interviews
Student
Records
The district consistently has the
required Team members in
attendance at Team meetings.
The district has procedures and
forms in place for excusal of
required Team members. All
Team chairpersons are trained
and familiar with the
requirements of this criterion.
SE 18A
IEP
Development

Documentation
Interviews
Student
Records
The district develops
comprehensive IEPs that are
individualized and address all
required elements. Annual goals
are individualized on IEPs and
based on skills cited in
evaluations. IEPs include
specially designed instruction at
all levels.
SE 20
Least Restrictive
Program

Documentation
Interviews
Student
The district’s programs are
designed to promote the
inclusion of all students within
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 7 of 11
Criterion
SE 24
Notice to Parent
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Records
regular education to the greatest
extent possible. IEP Teams
consistently describe why the
removal from the general
education classroom is needed.
Interviews
Student
Records
Student records demonstrated
that when the district is
proposing an evaluation of the
student, the Notice of Proposed
School District Action (N1
Form), the narrative portion is
not consistently completed as
required.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
The district must provide training
to all appropriate staff members
regarding the completion of N1
Forms when they are proposing to
evaluate the student. The purpose
of this training should focus on
ensuring that all required elements
of N1 Forms are complete.
The district must conduct internal
monitoring of student records to
insure that when proposing an
evaluation that all required
elements of the N1 Form are
complete.
* 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
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 8 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
The district will
provide evidence
of staff training
regarding the
completion of N1
Forms when
proposing
evaluation of the
student. This
evidence will
include but not
be limited to a
training agenda,
attendance sheet
and copies of the
materials
presented.
Please submit
this to the
Department on or
before October
15, 2010.
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
records reviewed; b) Date of the
review; c) Name of person(s) who
conducted the review, their
role(s), and signature(s).
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 9 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Submit the
results of an
administrative
review of N1
Forms from a
sample of student
records,
subsequent to the
training, where
an evaluation has
been proposed.
Indicate the
number of
records reviewed,
the number found
to be compliant,
an explanation of
the root cause for
any continued
noncompliance,
and a description
of additional
corrective actions
to be taken by the
district to address
any identified
noncompliance.
Please submit
this to the
Department on or
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
before January
28, 2011.
SE 29
Communications
in Language of
Home

Documentation
Interviews
Student
Records
The district has procedures in
place to assure that
communications with parents are
in simple and commonly
understood words and are in both
English and the primary
language of the home if such
primary language is other than
English.
SE 43
Behavioral
Interventions

Student
Records
The record review demonstrated
that student records include
written positive behavioral plans
and other evidence of positive
behavioral interventions as
appropriate.
SE 46
Suspension
Exceeding Ten
Days

Student
Records
Student records indicated that
when appropriate, IEPs include
behavioral intervention services
and modifications to address the
behavior needs of the individual
student.
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 10 of 11
Criterion
SE 55
Facilities
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Observation
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
The district has addressed
student accessibility issues in the
high school by the addition of
ramps and outside doors are now
level with outside walkways.
These changes allow the high
school to fully implement each
IEP for students with mobility
issues.
Lunenburg Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 11 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Lunenburg 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