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
May 2, 2005
Michael L. Wood
Superintendent
Nashoba Regional School District
50 Mechanic Street
Bolton, MA 01740
Re:
Onsite Follow-up Monitoring Report: Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action
Plan Verification and Special Education Mid-cycle Review
Dear Superintendent Wood:
Enclosed is the Department's Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Monitoring Report
together with findings regarding your district’s Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Review.
This report contains the Department's findings based on the onsite activities conducted in your
school district to verify the implementation status and effectiveness of corrective steps taken in
response to your Coordinated Program Review Report issued on August 7, 2002.
We are pleased to note the progress your district has made in remedying the previously identified
noncompliance issues. In some cases you may find that we have set additional Progress
Reporting requirements where full implementation of your approved Corrective Action Plan has
not yet been fully documented. Please note the due dates for any additional reports to the
Department. If an onsite visit is required to verify implementation of Progress Report activities,
we will notify you of the date for this visit and plan the schedule of activities with a person you
designate.
Your staff's cooperation throughout these Follow-up Monitoring activities is appreciated.
Should you require additional clarification of information included in our report, please do not
hesitate to contact the Onsite Team Chairperson at 781-338-3722.
Sincerely,
Susan D. Nichols, Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
John D. Stager, Administrator
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Encl.: Follow-up Monitoring Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
Nashoba Regional School District
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Onsite Visit Conducted on April 12-13, 2005
Date of this Report May 2, 2005
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Special
Education
Requirements
SE 3
Special
requirements
for
determination
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation


Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Student
Records
Documentation
The district has policies and
procedures for the
determination of specific
learning disabilities. The
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
of specific
learning
disabilities
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Interviews
district is implementing the
special requirements for
determination of specific
learning disabilities.
2
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 6
Determination
of transition
services
(Emphasis on
practices in
determining
needed
transition
planning and
services and
consideration of
courses of study
related to
needed
transition)
SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation


Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Progress reports did not
always include written
information on the
student’s progress toward
the annual goal and some
of the progress was not
Provide training for special
education providers on this
requirement and provide the
agenda and signed attendance
sheet to the Department by
November 15, 2005. Submit a

Student
Records
Interviews
IEP transition statements and
activities were adequately
reflected in the student record
to determine needed
transitional planning
As appropriate, The IEP
Teams consider the course of
study in relation to future
goals and interest for students
and promote movement to
post secondary programs. The
district makes 688 referrals
when needed.
Partially
Implemented
Student
Records
Documentation
Interviews
Parents of special needs
students are receiving
progress reports as often as
parents are informed of the
progress of non-disabled
students.
3
Partially
Implemented
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting

reported in measurable
terms.
4
random sample of ten progress
reports written for the first and
second quarter of the 20052006 school year by March 1,
2006.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 15
Outreach by the
School District
(Child Find)
SE 17
Initiation of
services at age
three and Early
Intervention
transition
procedures
SE 18A
IEP
development
and content
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation


Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
The information required
to be included on the
district’s proposal (N1
form) is not always
complete.
Provide training for special
education providers on this
requirement and provide the
agenda and signed attendance
sheet to the Department by
November 15, 2005. Submit a
random sample of ten

Documentation
Interviews
Documentation

Interviews
Partially
Implemented
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Student
Records
Documentation
Interviews
The district conducts outreach
within the school and
throughout the community
from which promotion or
transfer of students in need of
special education may be
expected.
The district adheres to the
initiation of services at age
three and coordinates with
Early Intervention Programs
to transition children into the
schools.
The IEP Teams, upon
determining that the student is
eligible for special education,
use evaluation data to develop
the IEP that contains all
required elements. The IEP
generally includes specifically
designed instruction to meet
5
Partially
Implemented
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting

the individual needs of
students and related services.
The district ensures that each
IEP Team has at least one
person with authority to
commit the district resources.
6
completed N1 forms by March
1, 2006.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
immediate
provision of
IEP to parent
SE 20
Least restrictive
program
selected
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification

Partially
Implemented
Student
Records
Interviews

Student
Records
Interviews

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting

Documentation
SE 22
IEP
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Student
IEP Teams determine the
appropriate placement to
deliver the services on student
IEPs. Placement selected by
the Team is the least
restrictive environment
consistent with the needs of
the student.
The district is committed to
inclusion practices and in
providing the least restrictive
environment for its students
with special needs. The
district offers several indistrict placement options and
students are included
throughout all grade levels,
consistent with their needs.
The district has an IEP in
7
Partially
Implemented
Student record reviews
indicated that IEPs are not
always provided to the
parent immediately
following its development
and within 45 working
days after a parent’s
written consent to
evaluations.
Provide the district’s plan for
tracking and ensuring that all
IEPs are provided to the parent
immediately (within 3-5 days)
of the Team meeting by July 1,
2005. Provide a copy of the
tracking system used from
September 1-November 1,
2005 by November 15, 2005.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
implementation
and availability
(Emphasis on
provision of
IEP services
without delay;
provision of the
IEP at the
beginning of the
school year;
and, alternative
methods of
service delivery
where there is a
lack of space
and/or
personnel))
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Records
Documentation
Interviews
effect for eligible students at
the beginning of each school
year and begins IEP services
without delay once the
student’s parent has accepted
an IEP.
Staff are informed of their
responsibilities and teachers
have access to the IEP, and
service providers document
on worksheets what they are
providing in classes to
students.
8
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 26
Parent
participation in
meetings
(Emphasis on
district’s
attempts to
ensure parent
participation at
IEP Team
meetings)
SE 28
Parent provided
the IEP or
notice of no
eligibility
together with
notification of
procedural
safeguards and
parents' rights
SE 29
Communica-
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation


Documentation
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Student
Records
See SE 18 B
See SE 18 B
The district makes attempts to
ensure parental participation
in IEP Team meetings and
parental attendance is high.
See SE 18 B
Partially
Implemented
Interviews

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

Interviews
Partially
Implemented
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Student
Communications with parents
9
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
tions are in
English and
primary
language of
home
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Records
are in English and the primary
language of the home.
Interviews
10
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for
special
education
SE 50
Responsibilities
of the School
Principal and
Administrator
of Special
Education
SE 54
Professional
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation


Documentation
Documentation
Interviews
Partially
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting

Interviews

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Documentation
The district has established a
parent advisory council (PAC)
on special education, which
meets the requirements of
state law and regulation.
The district has a Curriculum
Accommodation Plan that is
implemented by the building
principals. The district
ensures that all Administrators
fulfill the responsibilities set
forth in state and federal law
and regulations. Principals in
each of the district’s schools
promote instructional
practices that are responsive
to student needs and ensure
that adequate instructional
support is available for
students and their teachers.
The district offers many of the
required professional
11
Partially
The district has not
Provide the required training
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
development
regarding
special
education
SE 56
Special
education
programs and
services are
evaluated
Other
Requirements
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
provided the annual
required training on state
and federal special
education requirements
and related local special
education policies and
procedures and
confidentiality of student
records.
for special education
regulations and confidentiality
issues to all staff and provide
the agenda and attendance
sheets to the Department by
November 15, 2005.

Implemented
Interviews

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Documentation
development opportunities In
particular, training on
analyzing and accommodating
diverse learning needs and
training on differentiated
instruction
Special education programs,
services and administrative
areas are regularly evaluated.
Interviews
12
Implemented
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 34
Continuum of
Alternative
Services and
Placements
SE 45
Procedures for
suspension up
to 10 Days and
after 10 days:
General
Requirements
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
when
suspensions
exceed 10
consecutive
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation



Documentation
Staff Interviews

Documentation
Staff Interviews

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Student
Records
Documentation
Interviews
The district offers a
continuum of services and
placements to meet the needs
of students in special
education.
The district submitted a policy
and procedures for
suspensions up to and
exceeding 10 days that meets
the requirements of this
criterion and included
procedural safeguards.
The district has appropriate
procedures for suspending
students with disabilities
when suspensions exceed 10
consecutive school days or a
pattern has developed for
suspensions exceeding 10
cumulative school days.
13
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

school days or a
pattern has
developed for
suspensions
exceeding 10
cumulative
days;
responsibilities
of the Team;
responsibilities
of the district
14
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
MOA 7
Information to
be Translated
into languages
other than
English
MOA 10A
Handbooks and
codes of
conduct
MOA 11A
Designation of
liaison/coordina
tor(s);
grievance
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation


Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Documentation
Interviews
Interviews indicate the district
has a mechanism for
providing written information
or documents into languages
other than English and
submitted a sample of
translated material.

Documentation
The district submitted a copy
of all of their school
handbooks. All handbooks
contain a policy on
nondiscrimination,
harassment, grievance
procedures and district
disciplinary policy and
procedures.

Documentation
The district has designated the
appropriate civil rights
coordinators and adopted and
published grievance
Interviews
15
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification

MOA 21
Staff training
regarding civil
rights
responsibilities
procedures.

Documentation
Interviews

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

procedures
MOA 16
Notice to
students 16 or
over leaving
school without
a high school
diploma,
certificate of
attainment, or
certificate of
completion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Documentation
Interviews
The district submitted its
notice to students 16 or over
leaving school without a high
school diploma, certificate of
attainment, or certificate of
completion that includes all
required information.
The district provides the
required in-service training
for all school personnel
regarding civil rights
responsibilities.
16
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting