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
April 26, 2011
James McCleary, Charter School Leader
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School
43 Lebanon Street
Malden, MA 02148
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Mr. McCleary:
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 2011. In this Midcycle 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.
We are pleased to tell you that the Department has found your district to be in compliance
with all of the criteria monitored in your district during the Mid-cycle Review. 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 the requirements included in
these criteria.
The Department will notify you of your district's next regularly scheduled Coordinated
Program Review (CPR) several months before it is to occur. At this time we anticipate
that this CPR will occur sometime during the 2013-2014 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. If you have
questions about this letter or the enclosed report, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas
Taylor at 781-338-3726.
Sincerely,
Thomas Taylor, 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
Neil Kinnon, Chairperson Board of Trustees
Kathy Kinnon, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: April 15, 2011
Date of this Report: April 26, 2011
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
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 Mystic Valley Regional
Charter School’s (MVRCS)
IEP Teams complete written
determinations documenting
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 26, 2011
Page 1 of 6
(b)
Progress
Report
Due
Date(s)
and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Investigation
Staff
Interviews
for the
determination
of specific
learning
disability
SE 52A
Registration of
educational
interpreters
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
√
Document
Review
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
whether the student has a
specific learning disability
which are signed by the IEP
Team members.
MVRCS does not have a
need for educational
interpreters at this time.
However, there is a
procedure established to
contract with providers who
are registered with the
Massachusetts Commission
for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing.
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 26, 2011
Page 2 of 6
(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
Criterion
Implemented

SE 2
Required and
optional
assessments
√
SE 9A
Elements of
eligibility
determination;
General
education
accommodations
and services for
ineligible
students
√
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student
Records
The onsite review indicated
that Educational
Assessments were
completed by the
appropriate staff members
and placed in the student
record.
Staff
Interviews
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
MVRCS provided staff
training on the process of
determining eligibility. In
addition, MVRCS uses the
software “SIMS Tracker”
to monitor timelines in
addition to an IEP checklist
included in the records to
monitor timelines. The
student records indicated
the IEP timelines were met.
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 26, 2011
Page 3 of 6
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 14
Review &
revision of IEPs
Criterion
Implemented

√
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student
Records
The charter school holds
IEP Team meetings before
the anniversary date of the
IEP and issues a new IEP.
In addition, see SE 9A
regarding timelines.
Staff
Interviews
SE 18A
IEP development
& content
√
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
The onsite review found
that the Present Level of
Educational Performance
(PLEP A & B) are
completed and placed in
the student record as part
of the IEP. The charter
school monitors the
completion of the PLEP A
& B using its tracking
system and this specific
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 26, 2011
Page 4 of 6
(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
area is subject to a two
person review.
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for
special education
√
SE 53
Use of
paraprofessionals
√
Document
Review
Interviews
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
The parent advisory board
(PAC) is a functioning
parent board with by-laws.
The documentation
verified that the PAC has
input into the education
and safety of students with
learning disabilities.
Paraprofessionals receive
training with other
instructional staff in areas
of special education policy,
procedures, and best
practices. Paraprofessional
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 26, 2011
Page 5 of 6
(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
staff indicated that they
were directly supervised by
the special education
teacher.
SE 54
Professional
development
√
Document
Review
See comments under SE 53
regarding professional
development.
Staff
Interviews
SE 56
Special education
programs and
services are
evaluated
√
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
MVRCS uses a special
education program survey
annually to examine
practices and identify
concerns. The survey is
sent to all school personnel
and special education
parents.
Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 26, 2011
Page 6 of 6
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements