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
Robert Hassett, Superintendent
Lynnfield Public Schools
55 Summer Street
Lynnfield, MA. 01940
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Hassett:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district in May 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 23, 2010.
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 Nicole
Edgett at (781) 338-3723.
Sincerely,
Nicole Edgett, 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
Dorothy Presser, School Committee Chairperson
Janet Barry, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Lynnfield Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 14, 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
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district regularly uses the
forms required to make a
determination of a specific
learning disability (SLD). At the
IEP Team meeting for students
suspected of having a specific
learning disability, the
determination form is completed
by each IEP Team member and
signed to signify agreement or
individuals write a dissenting
report.
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 1 of 9
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 52A
Registration
of educational
interpreters
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Documentation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district currently does not
have a need for educational
interpreters. An assurance was
provided that when one 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.
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 2 of 9
(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
SE2
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion

Student
Records

Student
Records

Student
Records &
Staff
Interviews
Student records determined that
the district conducts all required
assessments for each referred
student. Moreover, they are
routinely conducting complete
evaluations for students who are
referred from early intervention
agencies.
Student records indicated that the
district is routinely considering
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.
Student records indicated that the
district routinely holds IEP Team
meetings with personnel who
have the authority to commit the
resources of the district.

Staff
Interviews
Required/Optional
Assessments
SE6
Transition
SE8
IEP Team
Attendance
SE 9A
Determination of
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Staff interviews indicated the
district increased its capacity to
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 3 of 9
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
SE13
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
serve students demonstrating
ongoing behavioral and socialemotional issues. The district
developed a tiered model of
positive behavior interventions
and supports to address students
whose behavioral and socialemotional needs limit their
ability to access the general
education curriculum. In
addition, staff members are
better able to properly identify
students whose issues may
require either a referral for an
evaluation to determine a
student’s eligibility for special
education or a possible Section
504 plan.
Eligibility
Progress Reports
Basis of Determination about
Criterion

Student
Records
Student records indicated that
parents receive reports in writing
on student’s progress toward
reaching goals set forth in the
IEP at least as often as parents of
non-disabled students are
informed of the progress of their
children.
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 4 of 9
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE14
Annual Reviews
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
Student
Records
Student records indicated that the
IEP Team does not always
reconvene on or before the
anniversary date of the IEP to
review, revise, or develop a new
IEP or refer a student for a
reevaluation, as appropriate.
Please develop an internal tracking
system to ensure that the IEP Team
is meeting annually on or before
the anniversary date of the IEP.
Also, please notify staff of the
newly developed internal tracking
system.
Please review a sample of student
records representative of the
elementary, middle, and high
school to ensure that the IEP Team
is meeting on or before the
anniversary date of the IEP to
review, revise, or develop a new
IEP or to refer a student for a
reevaluation, if appropriate.
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)
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 5 of 9
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Please submit
evidence of a
newly developed
tracking system
to ensure that the
IEP Team
meetings are held
on or before the
anniversary date
of the IEP. Also,
please submit
evidence that
staff have been
informed of the
newly developed
tracking system.
Please provide
this information
by September
30, 2010.
Please submit the
results of the
internal
monitoring of
student records.
If any areas of
non-compliance
are found please
identify the root
cause of non-
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
compliance and
subsequent
corrective
actions(s).
Please submit the
results of the
internal
monitoring by
February 4,
2011
SE 17

Student
Records
Early Childhood
SE 18A
IEP Development
PI
Student
Records
Student records determined that
the district implements
procedures to ensure the
effective transition of young
children with disabilities from
the collaborating Early
Intervention Agencies on or
before the student turns two and
a half years old.
Student records indicate that
upon determining eligibility, the
Team does not always develop a
complete IEP. Specifically, when
a student is removed from the
general education classroom at
any time, the IEP Team is not
always stating why the removal
is critical to the student’s
program and the basis for its
conclusion that the education of
Please conduct professional
development for IEP Team
Chairpersons, on the IEP Team’s
responsibility to consider why a
student’s removal from general
education is critical to the student’s
program. Please be sure to include
information regarding the IEP
Team’s requirement to document
the basis for the conclusion that the
education of the student in a less
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 6 of 9
Please submit the
agenda and staff
sign-in sheets for
the in-service
training
conducted for
IEP Team
Chairpersons,
regarding the IEP
Team’s
responsibility to
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
a student in a less restrictive
environment with the use of
supplementary aids and services
could not be achieved
satisfactorily.
restrictive environment, with the
use of supplementary aids and
services, could not be achieved
satisfactorily. Additional
professional development should
include a description of the range
of alternative programs and
services available to meet the needs
of all special education students in
district as well as guidance on the
types of questions the IEP Team
should consider when determining
the least restrictive environment for
a student.
Please review a sample of student
records representative of
elementary, middle, and high
school to ensure that in
circumstances where the student is
removed from the general
education program, there is
sufficient explanation in basis of
the conclusion that the education of
the student in the least restrictive
environment, with the use of
supplementary aides and services,
could not be achieved satisfactorily
Please note that when conducting
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 7 of 9
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
consider why a
student’s removal
from general
education is
critical to the
student’s
program.
Please submit
this information
by September
30, 2010
Additionally,
please submit the
results of the
internal
monitoring of
student files. If
any areas of
noncompliance
are found please
identify the root
cause of the
noncompliance
and the
subsequent
corrective
action(s).
Please submit the
Criterion
SE 18B
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)

Student
Records
Placement
PI
SE 20
LRE
SE 24
PAC
Student
Records

Student
Records

Staff & Parent
Interviews
Notices
SE 32
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student records indicated the IEP
Team routinely determines the
appropriate placement to deliver
services on the student’s IEP.
Please see finding under SE18A
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
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)
results of the
internal
monitoring by
February 4,
2011
Please see corrective action
requirements under SE18A
Please see
progress
reporting
requirements
under SE18A
Student records indicated that the
district provides parents with
written notices that comply with
regulatory requirements.
Interviews indicated the district
has been successful in
collaborating with the Parent
Advisory Council. In an effort to
create long term viability, the
PAC restructured in order to
maximize parent participation
throughout the district as well as
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 8 of 9
(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
serve as an advisory group in the
planning, development, and
evaluation of the district special
education programs.
SE 34

Staff
Interviews &
Documentation

Student
Records

Facilities
Observation
Continuum of
Services
SE 37
Procedures for
Out of District
SE 55
Facilities
Staff interviews and a review of
the district’s documentation
determined that the district has
expanded the continuum of
alternative programs and services
available to meet the needs of
students with disabilities within
the district. The district has
expanded the vocational
resources for students with
disabilities at the high school
level.
Student records verified that the
district regularly conducts
monitoring of students in out-ofdistrict placements. The written
documentation is included in the
student file.
A facilities tour determined that
the district has removed all signs
identifying classroom spaces that
are designated for special
education students that may
inadvertently stigmatize special
education students.
Lynnfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 9 of 9
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Lynnfield School District
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