Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
June 4, 2009
Kevin M. Lyons, EdD
Superintendent of Schools
Newburyport Public Schools
70 Low Street
Newburyport, MA 01906
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Lyons:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district on May 22, 2009. 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 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 2011-2012 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 has been appreciated. If you
have questions about this letter or the enclosed report, please do not hesitate to contact
Joni Reynolds at 781-338-3701.
Sincerely,
Joni S. Reynolds, 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
John Moak, School Committee Chairperson
Karen Brann, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Newburyport Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 22, 2009
Date of this Report: June 1, 2009
Core Special Education Criteria Cited in CPR Report and Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
(These criteria are marked with a triple asterisk (***) in the Mid-cycle Review Information Package and in
the School District Information Package for Special Education.)
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 20
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
The district has made the
Newburyport Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 4, 2009
Page 1 of 4
(b)
Progress
Report
Due
Date(s)
and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Least
restrictive
program
selected
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
document
review and
student
record review
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
provision of the least
restrictive environment for
special education student a
major priority. This priority is
part of the district’s five-year
strategic plan and the district
has provided numerous
training opportunities for both
special and general education
staff. The STAT
(Student/Teacher Assistance
Team) process has resulted in
fewer student referrals for
special education.
The student record review
indicated that IEP nonparticipation justification
statements include why
removal from the general
education classroom is
Newburyport Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 4, 2009
Page 2 of 4
(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
considered critical to the
student’s program.
***SE 52A

Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Interview
with Director
of Special
Education
To date, the district has not
required an interpreter for
students who are deaf or hard
of hearing.
The district submitted a
statement of assurance that
should it require the
assistance of an interpreter in
the future the district will
only contract with an
individual who is registered
with the Massachusetts
Commission for the Deaf or
Hard of Hearing.

Newburyport Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 4, 2009
Page 3 of 4
(b)
Progress
Report
Due
Date(s)
and
Required
Elements
Criterion
***SE 55
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Facilities tour
and interview
with Director
of Special
Education
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
A facilities tour and interview
with the Director of Special
Education indicated that the
Kelly School has been closed
and the students now attend
the Bresnahan School.
Student support services at
the Bresnahan school
maximize the inclusion of
special education students
into the life of the school and
are at least equal in all
physical respects to those
required for general education
students.
Newburyport Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 4, 2009
Page 4 of 4
(b)
Progress
Report
Due
Date(s)
and
Required
Elements