Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
June 20, 2008
Roy E. Belson, Superintendent
Medford Public Schools
489 Winthrop Street
Medford, MA 02155
Re: Mid-cycle Report School Year 2007- 2008
Dear Superintendent Belson:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report.
This report contains findings based on onsite monitoring the Department conducted to
determine the effectiveness of corrective action it approved or ordered to address
noncompliance identified in your district’s last Coordinated Program Review Report,
dated January 6, 2006. The Mid-cycle Report also contains findings based on onsite
monitoring of special education compliance criteria that have been created or
substantially changed in response to IDEA 2004.
While the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education found your district to
have resolved certain noncompliance issues, others were partially corrected including but
not limited to noncompliance with special education criteria added or substantially
changed in response to IDEA 2004. The Office of Special Education Programs of the
U.S. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires that all special
education noncompliance be corrected as soon as possible, but in no case later than one
year from the time of identification; where the district has failed to implement its CPR
Corrective Action Plan, this one-year period has long since passed.
In all instances where noncompliance has been found, the Department has prescribed
corrective action for the district that must be implemented immediately. (In the case of
new findings of noncompliance, this corrective action must be corrected 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 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 district within the timelines specified in the report.
You must submit your statement of assurance to me by July 7, 2008.
1
Your staff's cooperation throughout this Mid-cycle Review is appreciated. Should you
like clarification of any part of our report, please do not hesitate to contact me at 781338-3716.
Sincerely,
Sandra J. Wellens, Ph.D., Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary
Education
Mayor Michael McGlynn, Medford School Committee Chairperson
Beverly Nelson, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Encl.: Mid-cycle Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Medford Public Schools
Date of Coordinated Program Review (CPR) Final Report: January 6, 2006
Date Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Approved or Ordered: February 27, 2006
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: June 25, 2007, November 2, 2007, and December 18, 2007
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: June 2 and 3, 2008
Date of this Report: June 20, 2008
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN SEVERAL SECTIONS.
Special Education Criteria Cited in CPR Report and Monitored in Mid-cycle
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemente
d and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 1
Assessments
√
Student Record
Review and
Documentation
Review
The district selects
appropriate assessments and
uses information from a
variety of sources to gather
information.
SE 2
√
Review of
All specialists in all areas
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 1 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemente
d and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

student records
and district
documentation
related to the suspected
disability complete the
required assessments.
√
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
Assessment reports are
completed within all required
timelines and available to
parents at least two days
before the Team meeting.
Partial
Student Record
Review
See the Department’s
comments to the right.
Required and
optional
assessments
SE 4
Report of
assessments
SE 18A
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
or
New Issues
Identified

IEP
development
and content
Partial
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
The review of student
records indicated that in
some instances, the school
personnel do not complete
the Present Level of
Educational Performance
B (PLEP B) when it is
necessary to do so.
The district will conduct
training with all Team
Chairpersons on completing
the Present Level of
Educational Performance B.
forms. Submit an agenda and
signed attendance sheet to the
Department by September 15,
2008.
Subsequent to the training, the
district will conduct an internal
review to ensure
implementation of this
corrective action. The district
will report to the Department
the name of the person
responsible for ongoing
monitoring of this criterion, the
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 2 of 15
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemente
d and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
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
number of student records
reviewed, the number found to
have appropriate PLEP B
forms and any corrective action
taken if non-compliance is
found. Submit the results of
the review to the Department
by December 15, 2008.
√
Review of
student records
Students are appropriately
placed and that the parent is
provided the IEP and
placement page as required.
√
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
School personnel use
extended evaluations
appropriately.
√
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
The student record and
documentation review
indicated that the district
selects the least restrictive
environment.
√
Review of
student records
The student record and
documentation review
SE 18B
Placement and
provision of
IEP
SE 19
Extended
Evaluation
SE 20
Least
Restrictive
Environment
SE 22 IEP
Implementation
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 3 of 15
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemente
d and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
and district
documentation
indicated that the district
implements signed, accepted
IEPs, and provides the
required services.
√
Student Record
Review
The district sends written
notice to parents within five
(5) school days of receipt of
the referral.
√
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
Communications with
parents are in both English
and the primary language of
the home and t the district
makes appropriate provisions
for translations.
√
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
The documentation review
indicated that the district has
a Parent Advisory Council
(PAC) with officers, by-laws,
agendas, and meetings.
√
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
IEP Teams consider assistive
technology needs for all
students and the district
provides specialized
materials and equipment as
indicated on the IEP.

and Availability
SE 24
Notice to Parent
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
SE 29
Communication
in English or
the Primary
Language
SE 32
Parent
Advisory
Council
SE 35
Assistive
Technology
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 4 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemente
d and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
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
SE 40
√
Review of
district
documentation
The documentation review
indicated that instructional
groupings meet regulatory
requirements.
√
Review of
district
documentation
The documentation review
indicated that age span in
classes meets regulatory
requirements.
Instructional
Grouping
Requirements
SE 41
Age Span
Special Education Criteria Created or Revised in Response to IDEA-2004
Current CPR criteria available by scrolling down to the monitoring instruments at http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
SE 3
Special
requirements
for
determination
of specific
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
√
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
The review of student
records indicated that the
district includes a written
determination of the
student’s specific learning
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 5 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Partial
The review of student
records indicated that in
some instances, school
personnel did not use
transition-planning forms
for students.
The district will conduct
training with all special
education staff and guidance
counselors at the high school
level on the regulatory
requirements related to
transition and the appropriate
use of the transition planning
forms. Submit an agenda and
signed attendance sheet to the
Department by September 15,
2008.
disability signed by all Team
members.
learning
disability
SE 6 ##1 - 3
Determination
of Transition
Services
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
Partial
Student Record
Review
See the Department’s
comments to the right.
Subsequent to the training, the
district will conduct an internal
review and report to the
Department on the name of the
person responsible for ongoing
monitoring of this criterion, the
number of students undergoing
transition planning in the 20082009 SY , the number of
student records reviewed, the
number found to have
appropriate transition plans and
any corrective action taken if
non-compliance is found.
Submit the results of the
review to the Department by
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 6 of 15
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
December 15, 2008.
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and attendance
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation
√
Review of
student records
The review of student
records indicated that IEP
Teams are fully staffed and
all required members attend
meetings.
Partial
Review of
student records
See the Department’s
comments to the right.
Partial
The review of student
records indicated that in
several instances the
district is discharging
students from special
education services at the
end of Grade 11 without
conducting reevaluations.
The district will conduct
training with all special
education staff at the high
school level on the regulatory
requirements related to
reevaluation and termination of
services. Submit an agenda
and signed attendance sheet to
the Department by September
15, 2008.
The district will conduct an
internal review post-training
and report to the Department
on the name of the person
responsible for ongoing
monitoring of this criterion, the
number of students undergoing
reevaluations in 2008-2009, the
number of student records
reviewed, the number found to
be in compliance, and any
corrective action taken if noncompliance is found. Submit
the results of the review to the
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 7 of 15
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Department by December 15,
2008.
SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content
√
SE 14
Review and
revision of
IEPs
√
SE 25B
Resolution of
disputes
√
SE 33
Involvement in
the General
Curriculum
Review of
student records
Student Record
Review
Student Record
Review
√
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
The review of student
records indicated that
progress reports are
thorough, complete, and
issued as often as report
cards.
The review of student
records indicated that the
district holds annual IEP
meetings on or before the
anniversary dates, and that
amendments are used
appropriately.
The review of student
records indicated that in
accord with regulations, the
district convenes a meeting
with the parents to resolve
disputes in a timely manner.
The student record and
documentation review
indicated that district
personnel understand the
connection to the
Massachusetts Frameworks
and at least one member of
the Team is familiar with the
general curriculum.
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 8 of 15
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
SE 39A
Procedures for
services to
eligible private
school students
whose parents
reside in the
district
(SE 39A does
not apply to
charter schools
or vocational
schools)
SE 39B
Procedures for
services to
eligible
students in
private schools
in the district
whose parents
reside out of
state
(SE 39B does
not apply to
charter schools
or vocational
schools)
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
√
Student Record
Review
The review of student
records indicated that the
district provides services to
eligible private school
students whose parents reside
in the district.
√
Review of
district
documentation
The review of district
documentation indicates that
the district currently has no
students in private schools
out of state but the district
does have appropriate
procedures in place.
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
The district provided its
proportionate share
calculation and
documentation.
√
Review of
student records
and district
The review of student
records and district
documentation indicated that
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 9 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

students with
disabilities
more than 10
days
SE 52
Appropriate
certifications/
licenses or
other
credentials –
related service
providers
(to be reviewed
only with
respect to
providers of
interpreting
services)
√
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
documentation
the district has appropriate
policies and procedures in
place regarding suspension
of students with disabilities
and implements them
according to the regulations.
Staff lists and
licensures
The district is not currently
employing or contracting
with any interpreters for the
deaf or hard of hearing.
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 10 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Criteria from Other Regulated Programs Monitored During this Mid-cycle Review
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
ELE 11
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district has policies and
procedures in place to ensure
that LEP students participate
fully with their Englishspeaking peers, and the
district provides access to the
full range of academic and
non-academic programming.
√
Review of
district
documentation
The review of district
documentation indicates that
all students have full access
to the range of programs.
The district provided a
District Curriculum
Accommodation Plan
(DCAP), samples of Limited
English Proficient (LEP)
students’ schedules from the
vocational school, and
translated handbooks and
documents.
The district provided a
detailed narrative analysis
including next steps for
ensuring the elimination of
Equal access to
academic
programs and
services
CR 3
Access to a full
range of
education
programs
CR 4
Placement of
√
Review of
district
documentation
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective
Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 11 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
students
CR 7
Review of
district
documentation
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district provided a
statement of assurance,
written policy, and sample
forms demonstrating that it
requires employers recruiting
students to comply with
federal and state laws
prohibiting discrimination.
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district provided staff
and student handbooks
including translations.
Review of
district
documentation
The district provided a listing
of Title IX, Section 504, and
Title II coordinators and a
description of procedures.
Hiring and
employment
practices of
prospective
employers of
students
CR 10A
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective
Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
disproportionality in the
district.
The district provided samples
of translated handbooks,
letters, and IEP and
demonstrated how they
indicate the need for
translations.
√
Information
translated into
other
languages
CR 9
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Student
handbooks and
codes of
conduct
CR 11A
√
Designation of
coordinators:
grievance
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 12 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district provided
brochures containing
information regarding
nondiscrimination and civil
rights.
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district provided a
course selection book with
translations and a description
of occupational/vocational
and counseling opportunities.
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district provided a full
description of its policy and
an array of sample materials.
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective
Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
procedures
CR 12A
Notification
concerning
nondiscrimination and
coordinators
CR 13
Availability of
information
and academic
counseling on
curricular and
occupational/
vocational
opportunities
CR 14
Counseling
materials free
from bias and
stereotypes
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 13 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district provided a list of
scholarships, prizes and
awards, including
documentation addressing
LEP students’ access to
scholarships and prizes.
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district provided
recruitment and employment
policies and procedures
indicating that employment
practices are free from
discrimination. The district
also provided pay schedules
and sample recruitment
letters and advertisements.
√
Review of
district
documentation
The district provides
comparable facilities and
submitted a letter of
assurance indicating that it
had resolved issues with the
facilities and provided more
space. It also indicated that
middle school facilities,
including technological
access, were now
comparable.
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective
Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
CR 15
Nondiscriminatory
administration
of scholarships
and awards
CR 18A
School district
employment
practices
CR 23
Comparability
of facilities
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 14 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
CR 25
K-12
Evaluation
√
Review of
district
documentation
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective
Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
The district provided the
most recent evaluation and
documented changes
indicated on the evaluation.
Medford Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 20, 2008
Page 15 of 15
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements