Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Telephone: (781) 338-3000
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
June 18, 2008
Dr Denise Messina, Acting Superintendent
Monson School District
29 Thompson Street
P.O. Box 159
Monson, Massachusetts 01057-0159
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Dr. Messina:
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 May 11, 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.
We are pleased to tell you that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has found
the Corrective Action Plan implemented by your district to have been effective in remedying
previously identified noncompliance in English Language Learner. The Department has also found
your district to have implemented special education compliance criteria that were created or
substantially changed in response to IDEA 2004, as well as SE 33 on the access of students with
disabilities to the district’s general curriculum (the curriculum expected to be taught to all students).
The findings of the Department are included in the enclosed report. You and your entire staff are to
be congratulated for your success in implementing new special education requirements as well as
maintaining compliance in areas where the Department found noncompliance during the
Coordinated Program Review (CPR).
The onsite team would like to commend the following programs and practices that were brought to
its attention and that the team believes have a significant positive impact on the education of
students enrolled in the Monson School District. These programs and practices are as follows:
The district has developed a commendable program for its elementary autistic students. Each
student is working with a one to one paraprofessional. This program has developed an excellent
reputation among surrounding districts that are currently sending their students into the program.
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 20102011 school year unless the Department determines that there is some reason to schedule this visit
earlier.
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 413-858-4591.
Sincerely,
Nicole Heroux, 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
Karen Patenaude, School Committee Chairperson
Encl.: Mid-cycle Report
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Monson School District
Date of Coordinated Program Review (CPR) Final Report: May 11, 2005
Date Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Approved or Ordered: September 27, 2005
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: January 15, 2007, February 5, 2007, and April 30, 2007
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: March 17- 20, 2008
Date of this Report: June 18, 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

Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or
Not Effective
or
New Issues
Identified

SE 2
Required and
Optional
Assessments

Review of
student records,
documents and
interviews
The district consistently
completes required and
optional assessments.
SE 8
IEP Team

Review of
student records,
All team members are
consistently in attendance at
Basis of
Determination that
Implementation of
Corrective Action
was Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of
New Noncompliance
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 1 of 11
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

Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or
Not Effective
or
New Issues
Identified

composition
and attendance
documents and
interviews
IEP meetings unless the
parent signs consent that a
Team member is excused
from the Team meeting.
SE 9
Timelines for
Determination

Review of
student records,
documents, and
interviews
Evaluations are conducted
within appropriate time
frames. Eligibility
determinations are made
within the 45-day time
period. Parents leave Team
meetings with required IEP
information. IEPs are
consistently sent to the
parents within three to five
days.
SE18A
IEP
development
and content

Review of
student records,
documents, and
interviews
The IEP is complete
addressing all required
elements.
SE18B
Determination
of placement;

Review of
student records,
interviews and
Teams are determining
appropriate placements in the
least restrictive environment
Basis of
Determination that
Implementation of
Corrective Action
was Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of
New Noncompliance
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 2 of 11
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

Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or
Not Effective
or
New Issues
Identified

provision of
IEP to parent
documents
consistent with the needs of
the students. Placements are
proposed immediately
following the development of
the IEP.
SE19
Extended
evaluation

Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicated that the
district conducts an extended
evaluation if the Team
determines that a student is
eligible for special education
services but does not have
enough information to write
a full IEP. Prior to doing an
extended evaluation the
district obtains parent
consent. A Team meeting is
held no later than eight
weeks after the parent signs
consent.
SE20
Least
Restrictive
Program

Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
Documentation review and
interviews indicated that the
district considers the least
restrictive environment and
Basis of
Determination that
Implementation of
Corrective Action
was Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of
New Noncompliance
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 3 of 11
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

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
opportunities for inclusion
for students through Team
discussions at IEP meetings.
Selected
SE22
IEP
implementatio
n and
availability

Review of
student records
and interviews
Upon acceptance of the IEP
by the parent, the district
provides all services without
delay.
SE24
Notice to
parent
regarding
proposal or
refusal to
initiate or
change the
identification,
evaluation, or
educational
placement of
the child or the
provision of
FAPE

Review of
student records
The district’s written notices
(N1 and N2) are
comprehensive and address
all required elements.
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 4 of 11
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

Corrective
Action Not
Implemented or
Not Effective
or
New Issues
Identified

SE25
Parental
consent

SE26
Parent
Participation
in IEP Team
Meeting

Review of
student records
The school district has an
IEP in effect for each student
at the beginning of the school
year. The district has
policies and procedures in
place to ensure that services
are provided without delay.
Student record
review and
interviews
Student record review and
interviews indicated that
parents actively attend and
participate in IEP meetings.
The district has effective
measures in place to ensure
parent attendance at IEP
meetings.
Basis of
Determination that
Implementation of
Corrective Action
was Incomplete or
Ineffective or
Basis of Finding of
New Noncompliance
SE28
Reserved
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 5 of 11
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
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented or
Not
Implemented

SE 3
Special
requirements
for
determination
of specific
learning
disability

Review of
student records,
interviews and
documents
The district is utilizing all
required specific learning
disability (SLD) forms. All
Team members sign that they
are in agreement or indicate
if they are in disagreement
with the Team’s
determination of SLD. The
district is currently using the
new classroom observation
and SLD forms developed by
the Department.
SE 6 ##1 - 3
Determination
of Transition
Services

Review of
student records,
interviews and
documents
The district conducts
comprehensive transition
planning based upon student
input for students age 15 and
older.
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation

Review of
student records
and interviews
The district conducts full reevaluations consistent with
the requirements of federal
law. The district implements
reevaluation procedures
when it is suspected that
Basis of
Determination that
Criterion was
Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 6 of 11
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
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
students are no longer
eligible for special education
services.
SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content

Review of
student records
and interviews
Progress reports address
progress towards specific
goals within the IEP at all
levels. The district provides
summaries of academic
achievement / functional
performance for students
who have graduated or
exceeded the age of
eligibility.
SE 14
Review and
revision of
IEPs

Review of
student records
and interviews
The district is issuing
amendments consistent with
state and federal
requirements.
SE 25B
Resolution of
disputes

Review of
student records
The district consistently
notifies BSEA within five
days after receiving notice
that parents have requested a
hearing and initiates
resolution sessions.
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 7 of 11
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented or
Not
Implemented

SE 33
Involvement in
the General
Curriculum

Review of
student records
and interviews
District staff understands the
rights of students with
disabilities to fully
participate in the general
curriculum.
SE 39A
Procedures for
services to
eligible private
school students
whose parents
reside in the
district

Review of
documents and
interviews
The district does not have
any special education
students enrolled in private
school at private expense at
this time (whose parents
reside in the district or out of
state). The district
understands its obligation to
calculate proportionate share
of federal entitlement funds
and to provide services to
eligible private school
students.

Review of
documents
See SE 39A above.
(SE 39A does
not apply to
charter schools
or vocational
schools)
SE 39B
Procedures for
services to
eligible
students in
private schools
Basis of
Determination that
Criterion was
Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 8 of 11
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
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
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
students with
disabilities
more than 10
days

Review of
student records,
interviews, and
documents
The district has clearly
defined procedures for
conducting manifestation
determinations and placing
students in interim
alternative educational
settings. These procedures
are implemented
consistently. In addition, the
district conducts functional
behavioral assessments and
provides behavioral
interventions and services
when needed.
SE 52
Appropriate

Review of
documents
All related service providers
are appropriately licensed.
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 9 of 11
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
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
certifications/
licenses or
other
credentials –
related service
providers
(to be reviewed
only with
respect to
providers of
interpreting
services)
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 10 of 11
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
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
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented or
Not
Implemented

ELE 11

Interviews, and
documentation
review
Basis of
Determination that
Criterion was
Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented
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.
Mid-cycle Report Format 2008.doc
Rev. 11/8/07
Monson Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 18, 2008
Page 11 of 11
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting