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
February 21, 2008
Mr. Joseph F. Casey, Superintendent
Melrose Public Schools
360 Lynn Fells Parkway
Melrose, MA 02176
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Casey:
Enclosed is the Department of 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 September 7,
2005. 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.
The Department will notify you of your district's next regularly scheduled CPR several
months before it is to occur. At this time we anticipate that this CPR will occur sometime
during the 2010-2011 school year unless the Department determines that there is some
reason to schedule this visit earlier.
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, including but not
limited to noncompliance with special education criteria added or substantially changed
in response to IDEA 2004. Where the district has failed to implement its Coordinated
Program Review Corrective Action Plan, the Department views these findings to be
serious. The Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of 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 without delay. (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
1
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 February 29, 2008.
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 781338-3729.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth M. Young, Ed.D.
Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
Jeffrey Nellhaus, Acting Commissioner of Education
Kristin Thorp, Chairperson, Melrose School Committee
Patricia White-Lambright, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Encl.: Mid-cycle Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Melrose Public Schools
Date of Coordinated Program Review (CPR) Final Report: September 7, 2005
Date Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Approved or Ordered: January 1, 2006
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: April 25, 2006, December 4, 2007 and August 31, 2007
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: January 22-23, 2008
Date of this Report: February 21, 2008
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN SEVERAL SECTIONS.
Special Education Criteria Cited in CPR Report and Monitored in Mid-cycle
Current CPR criteria available by scrolling down to the monitoring instruments at http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
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

SE 1
Assessments

Review of
student records
and 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
The student record and
documentation review
indicated that student
assessments are always
completed within 30 days,
and available to the parent
two days prior to the Team
Meeting.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 1 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
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

SE 2
Required and
optional
assessments

Review of
student records
and district
documentation
A review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated that
all required assessments,
and when necessary,
optional assessments are
completed within the
timelines.
SE 4
Report of
Assessments
Partial
Review of
student records
and district
documentation.
Assessment reports are
completed within all
required timelines and
available to parents at least
two days prior to team
meeting.
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
Partial
In a review of the
Education Summaries
and Assessment reports
it was noted that the
district’s assessors are
not using simple and
clear language to
contextualize the
findings in the reports
so that a parent can
easily understand the
results and impact on
the student’s
educational progress.
The district will conduct
training with special
education staff assigned to
assess student on the
regulatory requirements
related to the report of
assessment. Submit an
agenda and signed
attendance sheet to the
Department by April 1,
2008.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 2 of 22
The district will conduct an
internal review and report to
the Department on the name
of the person responsible for
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

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
ongoing monitoring of this
criterion, number of student
records reviewed, the
number of Educational
assessment reports found to
include all required
information and any
corrective action taken if
non-compliance is found.
Submit the results of the
internal review by June 30,
2008.
SE 9
Eligibility
Determination
and Timelines

Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
Based on the
documentation review,
interviews, and student
record review, the district
complies with the 45-day
timeline for the
determination of
eligibility.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 3 of 22
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

SE 10
End of School
Year
Evaluations

Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
Based on interviews and
student record review, all
end of school year
evaluations are completed
to allow the provision of
notice and if the student is
found eligible, the IEP, no
later than 14 days after the
end of the school year as
required by state and
federal regulation.
SE 11
Independent
Educational
Evaluations

Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
A review of the district
policies and student
records indicated that the
district is complying with
state and federal
regulatory requirements
regarding Independent
Educational Evaluations.
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
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 4 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
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
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
The onsite activities of the
Department confirmed that
once a student is
determined eligible for
special education, the
Team, including the
parent, develops an IEP at
the Team meeting using
the evaluation data to
guide the development of
the annual goals for the
student.

SE 18A
IEP
Development
and Content
SE 18B
Placement and
Provision of
IEP
SE 19
Extend


Review of
student records,
staff interviews
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
A review of student
records indicated that
The district will provide
training to all ETF staff
Interviews and student
records demonstrated that
the district’s procedures
ensure that the student is
appropriately placed and
that the parent is provided
the IEP and placement
page as required.
Review of
student records,

Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 5 of 22
Criterion
Number/Topic
Approved
Corrective
Action
Implemented and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification

Evaluation
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
or
New Issues
Identified

staff interviews
and district
documentation
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 district’s
Educational Team
Facilitators are unclear
on the implementation
of the regulatory
requirements related to
extended evaluations.
The district refers to
placement in Interim
Alternate Educational
Settings (IAES) as an
“extended evaluation.”
In other instances,
students were placed in
a “45- evaluation
placement” or “45-day
diagnostic placement.”
members on the regulatory
requirements related to
extended evaluations and the
use of the appropriate forms
for extended evaluations.
Submit an agenda and
signed attendance sheet to
the Department by April 1,
2008.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 6 of 22
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
extended evaluations done
in the 2007-2008 school
year, the number of student
records reviewed, the
number found to be
appropriately conducted and
any corrective action taken
if non-compliance is found.
Submit the results of the
internal review by June 30,
2008.
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

SE 20
Least
Restrictive
Environment

Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
The non-participation
justification statements of
the IEP provided clear
reasons for a student’s
removal from the regular
education setting.
SE 21
School Day and
School Year
Requirements

Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
Student records
demonstrated that the
Team routinely considers
the need for an educational
program that modifies the
length of the regular
school day or school year.
SE 25
Parental
Consent
Partial
Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
Student records and
interviews demonstrated
that IEPs are not
implemented until written
parental consent has been
obtained; service delivery
grids are implemented as
written.
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
Partial
One special education
student record that was
reviewed included
correspondence from a
district staff member
asking a parent to write
a letter and request an
“informal assessment of
reading skills.” It was
The district will conduct
training with all special
education staff and the
principal at the Lincoln
Elementary School on the
regulatory requirements
related to parental consent
and requests for a student to
be assessed. Submit an
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 7 of 22
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
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
clear from the parent’s
correspondence before
and after the district’s
direction that the parent
was seeking a formal
assessment in a specific
area of concern related
to the student’s special
needs. Based on review
of this file, along with
recent data from the
Department’s Problem
Resolution System
showing similar issues
in the past year, the
Department has
continued concerns
with the
implementation of this
criterion. The district
must respond to all
requests verbal or
written as per the
regulatory
requirements.
agenda and signed
attendance sheet to the
Department by April 1,
2008.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 8 of 22
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
requests to evaluate at the
Lincoln School in the 20072008 school year, number of
student records reviewed,
the number found to be
appropriately consented to
and conducted evaluations
and any corrective action
taken if non-compliance is
found. Submit the results of
the internal review by June
30, 2008.
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

SE 28
Notice to
Parents

Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
Student records and
interviews demonstrated
that notices are completed
and provided to parents.
SE 29
Communication
in English or
Primary
Language

Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
District documentation
and student records
indicated that the district
provides or arranges for
the provision of translation
and interpretation services
for parents, guardians and
students.
SE 32
Parent
Advisory
Council

Review of
district
documentation
The district has a Special
Education Parent Advisory
Committee (PAC), bylaws
and provides the PAC with
annual training on parent’s
rights as required by
regulation.
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
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 9 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
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

SE 34
Continuum of
Services
SE 36
IEP
Implementation
SE 37
Procedures for
Approved and
Unapproved
Out of District
Placements



Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
District documentation
and student records
indicated that the district
provides, or arranges for
the provision, of services
for students in need of
special education.
Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
Based on student record
review, the district is fully
implementing student IEPs
and appropriately
notifying parents when
there is a delay in services
if a service provider or
special education teacher
is on leave or a position
remains unfilled.
Review of
district
documentation
and policies
The district has
appropriate procedures for
the use and placement in
approved and unapproved
out-of -district programs.
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
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 10 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
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

SE 41
Age Span

Review of
district
documentation
and policies
The district submitted
class rosters from January
2008 that demonstrated
that none of its classes had
students where the ages of
the youngest and oldest
child in any instructional
grouping differed by more
than forty-eight months.
SE 42
Programs for
Young
Children, 3-4
Year Olds

Review of
student records
and district
documentation
The district has
appropriate programming
and policies in place to
serve special needs
students who are 3-4 years
old.
SE 43
Behavior
Interventions

Review of
district
documentation
and policies
A review of student
records and district polices
indicated that the district is
meeting all regulatory
requirements related to
behavioral interventions.
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
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 11 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
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
student records
and district
documentation
and policies
A review of student
records and district polices
indicated that the district is
meeting all regulatory
requirements related to
procedures for the
suspension of students
with disabilities.

SE 45
Procedures for
Suspension of
Students with
Disabilities, Up
to 10 Days and
After 10 Days

SE 50
Administration
of Special
Education

Review of
district
documentation
and policies
SE 51
SPED Teacher
Licensure

District
document
review
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
A review of the district’s
list of special education
teachers demonstrated and
was verified that all
Special Education teachers
hold the appropriate
licensure.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 12 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
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

SE 55
Special
Education
Facilities

Facilities
Observation
A facilities observation
demonstrated that the
“Learning Strategies”
classroom now has
functioning computers and
that the Step Program has
been relocated to the
second floor within the
general area of other
special education and
general education
classrooms.
SE 56
SPED Program
Evaluated

District
document
review
The district has conducted
evaluations of special
education programming.
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
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 13 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
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
Criterion
Implement
ed
SE 3
Special
requirements
for
determination
of specific
learning
disability
SE 6 ##1 - 3
Determination
of Transition
Services
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented

Review of
student records
and district
documentation.
Documentation and student
record review demonstrated
that the district is meeting
current regulatory
requirements regarding the
determination of a specific
learning disability.
Partial
Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
The student record review
demonstrated that the
district is completing the
required forms

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Partial
Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
The student record
review indicated that
the transition forms are
incomplete and do not
provide information on
an actual plan of
activities to assist
students in transitioning
to post- secondary life.
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 April 1,
2008.
The district will conduct an
internal review and report to
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 14 of 22
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implement
ed
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
the Department on the name
of the person responsible for
ongoing monitoring of this
criterion, the number of
students undergoing high
school level transitioning in
the 2007-2008 school year,
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 internal review by June
30, 2008.
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and attendance

Review of
student records
and district
documentation
The district has at least one
general education teacher
present at the initial, annual,
and re-evaluation Team
meetings.
The district uses a Team
member excusal form when
appropriate.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 15 of 22
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implement
ed
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation

SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content
SE 14
Review and
revision of IEPs
SE 25B
Resolution of
disputes
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
The district uses student
information, teacher reports,
and assessments in areas of
the disability to make
findings of eligibility or
ineligibility for students
with IEPs.
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
Progress reports are completed
with the same frequency as the
report card cycle and contain
all required elements.
Review of
student records
and district
documentation
Annual reviews were
consistently held on or before
the anniversary date of student
IEPs.
Review of
student records
District documentation and
student records




Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 16 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
SE 33
Involvement in
the General
Curriculum
SE 39A
Procedures for
services to
eligible private
Criterion
Implement
ed
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
and district
documentation
demonstrated that within 15
days of receiving notice that
a parent has made an official
hearing request to Special
Education Appeals, the
district convenes a meeting
with the parent and the
relevant members of the IEP
Team, including a
representative of the district
with decision-making
authority, to try to resolve
the dispute.

Review of
student records
and district
documentation
District documentation and
staff member interviews
indicated that district
personnel understand the
rights of students with
disabilities to be full
participants in the general
curriculum. The district
documents the student’s
participation in the general
curriculum in the IEP.

Review of
student records
and district
The document review
indicated that the district has
appropriate procedures to

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 17 of 22
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implement
ed
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
documentation
provide services to eligible
private school students.

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
Method(s) of
Verification

Review of
student records
and district
documentation
Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Partial
The district staff does
not have a clear
understanding of what
an Interim Alternate
Educational Setting
(IAES) is and in some
cases have been calling
The district will conduct
training with special
education staff on the
regulatory requirements
related to placing students in
an IAES. Submit an agenda
and signed attendance sheet
The district has procedures
to serve eligible private
school students whose
parents reside out of state;
however, the district noted
that there are no student’s in
this category within the
district.
The district provided its
proportionate share
calculation and
documentation.
(SE 39B does
not apply to
charter schools
or vocational
schools)
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
more than 10
days
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Partial
Review of
student records,
staff interviews
and district
documentation
Handbooks submitted for
documentation indicated that
the district has appropriate
disciplinary procedures for
students with disabilities.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 18 of 22
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implement
ed
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
it a diagnostic
placement or an
extended evaluation.
to the Department by April
1, 2008.
See SE 19 above for
more information.
SE 52
Appropriate
certifications/
licenses or other
credentials –
related service
providers
(To be reviewed
only with respect
to providers of
interpreting
services)

Staff lists and
licensure
The district is not currently
employing or contracting
with any interpreters for the
deaf or hard of hearing.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 19 of 22
The district will conduct an
internal review and report to
the Department on the
number of IAES student
records, the number found to
include all required
information and any
corrective action taken if
non-compliance is found.
Submit the results of the
internal review by June 30,
2008.
Criteria from Other Regulated Programs Monitored During this Mid-cycle Review
Current CPR criteria available by scrolling down to the monitoring instruments at http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
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
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
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 20 of 22
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
ELE 11
Equal Access
to Academic
Programs and
Services

Review of
district
documentation
The district has policies
and procedures in place to
ensure that LEP students
participate fully with their
English-speaking peers
and the district provides
access to the full range of
academic and nonacademic programming.
CR 26 A
Confidentiality
and Student
Records
Corrective
Action Not
Implemented
or Not
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Review of
student
records, staff
interviews and
district
documentation

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
Requirements
The district is providing
training to staff on
confidentiality and
student records,
however in several
student records, Department staff found out-ofdistrict billing
statements that had not
been fully redacted and
behavior/discipline
reports from the
transportation providers
that included the names
of multiple students unredacted. Department
The district will conduct
training with all special
education staff on the
regulatory requirements
related to student
confidentiality. Submit an
agenda and signed
attendance sheet to the
Department by April 1,
2008.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 21 of 22
The district will submit a
signed statement of
assurance from the
superintendent that all
documents will be
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
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
Requirements
reviewers were
informed that the names
of special education
students and their Team
Meeting dates are
posted in a common
staff area where people
not authorized to do so
may see that
information.
appropriately redacted and
that the district has
discontinued the practice of
openly posting a Team
meeting calendar/schedule
with student names. Submit
this assurance to the
Department on or before
April 1, 2008.
Melrose Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
February 21, 2008
Page 22 of 22