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
August 23, 2010
Keven Andrews, Charter School Leader
Neighborhood House Charter School
21 Queen Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Mr. Andrews:
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 2010. 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.
The Department found one or more of the criteria monitored in your district to be
“Partially Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance
has been found, the Department has prescribed corrective action for the district. This
corrective action must be implemented 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 submitting progress reports
using the enclosed form.
Please provide the Department with your written assurance that all of the required
corrective action will be implemented by your district within the timelines specified in
the report. You must submit your statement of assurance to Darlene Lynch, Director,
Program Quality Assurance Services, by September 10, 2010.
1
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
Fredrick Whittmann, Board of Trustees, Chairperson
Ellie Rounds, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Neighborhood House Charter School
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: April 28, 2010
Date of this Report: August 23, 2010
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 for
the determination
of specific
learning disability
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Record
Review
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student records indicated that
when the district identified a
student as having a specific
learning disability, the IEP
Team did not always create a
written determination, which
was subsequently signed by all
members of the IEP Team.
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
Please provide appropriate staff
with training on the
implementation of the Specific
Learning Disability (SLD)
determination process and
forms consistent with the
requirements of this criterion.
In addition, after the
completion of the staff training,
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 1 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Please submit a
copy of the
agenda and sign-in
sheets for the
training by
October 4, 2010.
Please conduct a
review of student
records for those
students identified
as SLD,
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
the district must conduct
internal monitoring of a sample
of student records to determine
that the district is compliant
with the requirements of this
criterion.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that district must
maintain the following
documentation and make it
available to the Department
upon request: a) List of the
student names and grade
level for the records
reviewed; b) Date of the
review; c) Name of person(s)
who conducted the review,
their role(s), and signature(s).
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 2 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
subsequent to the
training, to ensure
the completion of
the written
certification by the
IEP Team. Please
submit the results
to include the
number of records
reviewed, the
name and role of
the reviewer, the
number of records
found to be
compliant, the
root cause of any
identified
noncompliance
and any additional
steps taken to
address continued
noncompliance.
This progress
report is due
December 20,
2010.
Criterion
SE 52A
Registration of
educational
interpreters
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
At present, NHCS does not
have any students in need of
interpreting services for the
deaf or hard of hearing.
However, if needed the school
stated their commitment to
subcontract for an educational
interpreter registered with the
Massachusetts Commission for
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
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
SE 1
Assessments are
appropriately
selected and
interpreted for
students
referred for
evaluation

Student
Record
Review &
Interviews
The Home Language Survey is
reviewed before conducting
assessments. If needed, the
school subcontracts for a
qualified and trained individual
to ensure the student is assessed
in the appropriate language to
ensure accurate results.
The records indicated the recent
evaluation of a student in
Spanish.
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 3 of 12
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
SE 2
Required and
optional
assessments
SE 9
Timelines for
determination of
eligibility and
provision of
documentation
to the parent(s)
Student
Record
Review
&
Interviews

PI
Student
Record
Review
&
Interviews
Assessments are completed
after receiving parent consent.
NHCS uses a checklist to
monitor timelines. The Special
Education Policy Manual
addresses the use of the
checklist and educational
assessments.
The 45-day timeline for
convening the IEP Team
meeting for initial and reevaluation meetings is not
consistently met.
Post-training and after initiating
corrective action, please review
ten student records for the
timeline checklist and parent
contact log and forward the
results to the Department.
Please provide
evidence of the
staff training.
Please provide the
results of the
school’s analysis
of the root cause
of continued
noncompliance
and indicate the
actions taken to
address the
identified
concerns. Please
provide this
corrective action
to the Department
by October 4,
2010.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that district must
maintain the following
documentation and make it
available to the Department
upon request: a) List of the
student names and grade level
for the records reviewed; b)
Date of the review; c) Name of
Please conduct a
review of 10
student records,
subsequent to the
training, to ensure
the IEP Team
meeting is held
within the
timelines. Please
submit the results
Please review with appropriate
staff the requirements for
convening the IEP Team within
45 school working days. Please
identify the root cause of
noncompliance with this
criterion, and the charter
school’s specific actions taken
to address this area of
noncompliance.
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 4 of 12
person(s) who conducted the
review, their role(s), and
signature(s).
SE 9A
Elements of
eligibility
determination;
general
education
accommodations
and services for
ineligible
students

Student
Record
Review,
Documentation
Review
&
Interviews
The student record review and
staff interviews indicated that
re-evaluations are conducted
before determining a student is
no longer eligible for special
education services.
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 5 of 12
to include the
number of records
reviewed, the
name and role of
the reviewer, the
number of records
found to be
compliant, the
root cause of any
identified
noncompliance
and any additional
steps taken to
address continued
noncompliance.
This progress
report is due
December 20,
2010.
SE 11
School district
response to
parent request
for an
independent
educational
evaluation
SE 12
Frequency of reevaluation
SE 14
Review and
revision of IEPs
Documentation
Review
&
Interviews

Student
Record
Review,
Documentation
Review
&
Staff
Interviews

PI
Student
Record
Review
The NHCS Special Education
Policy Manual addresses the
issue of independent
evaluations for income eligible
parents. The policy manual
also addresses the right to
proceed to the Bureau of
Special Education Appeals.
Please see SE 9A.
The student record review
indicated that Annual IEP Team
meetings are not consistently
held on or before the
anniversary date.
Please review with appropriate
staff the timeline requirements
for conducting an annual
review. Please identify the root
cause of noncompliance with
this criterion, and the charter
school’s specific actions taken
to address this area of
noncompliance.
Please review ten student
records to ensure meetings were
held within the timelines and
for evidence of the IEP Team
member sign-in sheet. Please
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 6 of 12
Please provide
evidence of the
staff training.
Please provide the
results of the
school’s analysis
of the root cause
of continued
noncompliance
and indicate the
actions taken to
address why
annual reviews are
not held in a
timely manner.
Please provide this
forward the results to the
Department.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that district must
maintain the following
documentation and make it
available to the Department
upon request: a) List of the
student names and grade level
for the records reviewed; b)
Date of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted the
review, their role(s), and
signature(s).
SE 18A
IEP
development

Student
Record
Review
The Service Delivery Grid
reflects the services proposed
by the IEP Team.
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 7 of 12
corrective action
to the Department
by October 4,
2010.
Please conduct a
review of 10
student records,
subsequent to the
training, to ensure
the IEP Team
annual review
meeting is held in
a timely manner.
Please submit the
results to include
the number of
records reviewed,
the name and role
of the reviewer,
the number of
records found to
be compliant, the
root cause of any
identified
noncompliance
and any additional
steps taken to
address continued
noncompliance.
This progress
report is due
December 20,
2010.
&
Interviews
and content
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
provision of IEP
to parent(s)

Student
Record
Review
&
Staff
Interviews
The student record review
indicated that the IEP Team
determines placement at the
IEP Team meeting. A review of
the IEP placement forms
verified that parents provide
their consent to the IEP
placement.
SE 20
Least restrictive
program
selected

Student
Record
Review
&
Staff
Interviews
IEPs are developed by the IEP
Team and placement is
determined consistent with the
student’s needs. Interviews
indicated an increased effort to
minimize pullout services and
increase inclusionary practices.
SE 22
IEP
implementation
and availability

Student
Record
Review,
Documentation
Review
&
Interviews
The record review indicated in
an instance of interrupted
service, the parents received a
written notice regarding the
interruption of services and an
offer of compensatory services.
The student record review
verified the receipt of
compensatory services.
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 8 of 12
SE 24
Notice to
parent(s)
regarding
proposal or
refusal to initiate
or change the
identification,,
evaluation or
educational
placement of the
student or the
provision of
FAPE
SE 25
Parent consent
SE 29
Communications
are in English
and the primary
language of the
home


PI
Student
Record
Review,
Documentation
Review
&
Interviews
The Special Education Policy
Manual addresses the use of the
evaluation consent form.
NHCS does not require a parent
to send in a written request for
an evaluation consent form.
The timeline checklist verified
that evaluation consent forms
are sent to parents within five
school days of the request.
Student
Record
Review
&
Interviews
The student record review and
staff interviews indicated that
the charter school does not
begin evaluating the student
until parent consent is received
by the school.
Student
Record
Review,
Documentation
Review
&
Interviews
The charter school does not
have a written policy or
procedure to address this
potential need.
Please provide the Department
with a policy and procedure for
addressing the need for
communications in the primary
language of the home and
evidence of staff training on the
school’s policy.
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 9 of 12
Please submit the
school’s policy
and evidence that
the appropriate
staff were trained
on the school’s
procedures for
ensuring
translated
communications
are provided to
parents. This
progress report is
due October 4,
2010.
SE 34
Continuum of
alternative
services and
placements
SE 36
IEP
implementation,
accountability
and financial
responsibility
Student
Record
Review
&
Interviews
At present, NHCS does not
have any students placed in a
sub-separate program or
requiring a sub-separate
program or services for which
the school has not provided the
appropriate services and
placement.

Student
Record
Review
&
Documentation
Review
NHCS uses a third party
payment system for counseling
services. NHCS has a parent
consent form that is used when
accessing third party payments.

Student
Record
Review
&
Interviews
All staff members are trained
on the use and purpose of
functional behavioral
assessments and conducting
manifestation determinations.
Behavior intervention plans are
developed when appropriate.

Documentation
Review
&
The policy and procedures for
students with disabilities
suspended for up to 10 days and

SE 43
Behavior
interventions
SE 45
Procedures for
suspensions up
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 10 of 12
to 10 days and
after 10 days;
general
requirements
Staff
Interviews
after 10 days was evident in the
Family Handbook. The charter
school ensures students
continue to receive a free and
appropriate public education
(FAPE).
SE 46
Procedures for
suspensions of
students with
disabilities when
suspensions
exceed 10
consecutive
school days or a
pattern has
developed for
Suspensions
exceeding 10
cumulative days;
responsibilities
of the IEP
Team;
responsibilities
of the district
Document
Review
&
Interviews
The Family Handbook
addresses the procedures for
suspensions of students with
disabilities.

Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 11 of 12
PI
SE 47
Procedure
requirements
applied to
students not yet
determined to be
eligible for
special
education
Documentation
Review
&
Interviews
The procedures for students not
yet determined eligible for
services facing disciplinary
action are not stated in the
Family Handbook or Special
Education Manual. Staff
interviews, however, indicated
familiarity with the procedures.
Please forward to the
Department a copy of the
procedure that addresses
requirements for students not
yet determined to be eligible for
special education, who face
disciplinary action. The
procedure should be inserted in
the Family Handbook which is
used as the school’s student
handbook and Special
Education Policy Manual. All
staff members must be made
aware of these procedures.
Please submit a
copy of the
Family Handbook
and a copy of the
Special Education
Policy Manual
pages that
highlight
procedural
requirements for
students not yet
determined to be
eligible for special
education.
Please provide
evidence of staff
training on the
new procedures.
Evidence should
include the name
of the presenter,
the agenda and
copies of staff
attendance sheets.
Please submit
these progress
reports elements
by October 4,
2010.
SE 49
Related services

Student
Record
Review
&
Staff
Interviews
Students are receiving the
related services specified on
their IEPs; in addition please
see SE 22.
Neighborhood House Charter School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 23, 2010
Page 12 of 12
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Neighborhood House Charter School
M I D – CY C L E P R O G R E S S R E P O R T
Date Prepared: ____________________________________
Prepared by: __________________________________________________________________
(name and title)
Criterion: _______________________
Topic: ________________________________________________________________________
For each criterion for which you prepare a progress report, please



make a copy of this cover page,
fill in the information requested above, and
attach a complete description of the corrective action taken and any accompanying documentation.
(Description of corrective action for each criterion and any accompanying documentation should include all of the
“Progress Report Required Elements” for that criterion in the Mid-cycle Report.)
Send the whole set of completed progress reports to:
Darlene Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906