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 30, 2013
Suzan Cullen, Superintendent
North Attleborough Public Schools
6 Morse Street
North Attleborough, MA 02760
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Cullen:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district in November 2012. During the Mid-cycle 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 2015-2016 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
1
about this letter or the enclosed report, please do not hesitate to contact Joan Brinckerhoff at 781338-3715.
Sincerely,
Joan Brinckerhoff, Ph.D., 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
Jane Ewing, Ed. D., Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Christopher Frost, School Committee Chairperson
Julieann Hoell, Local Program Review Coordinator
Enc:
Mid-cycle Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: November 29, 2012
Date of this Report: April 30, 2013
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
Criterion
Implemented


SE 7
Transfer of
parental rights
and student
participation and
consent at age of
majority
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Document
Review
Document review, student records
and staff interviews demonstrated
that the district routinely provides
students and parents notice of the
transfer of education decisionmaking rights one year prior to
the student reaching age 18. This
notice includes that the parent will
continue to receive written notices
and have access to the student
record. The district documents
Staff
Interviews
Student
Record
Review
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 1 of 13
(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
the notification of the transfer of
educational decision-making
rights to the student and family in
the Additional Information
section of the IEP.
Document
Review

SE 8
IEP Team
composition and
attendance
Staff
Interviews
Student
Record
Review
Upon students’ reaching the age
of 18, the district immediately
secures student consent to
continue IEP services or, as
appropriate, continues to secure
the consent of the guardian.
Student records and staff
interviews demonstrated that
when required Team members
cannot attend IEP meetings, the
district secures written parental
agreement in advance. The
excused required Team member
submits a written report for the
Team’s consideration in
developing or updating the IEP.
Document review also indicated
that the district has a process to
excuse Team members whose
areas are not being modified or
discussed at the Team meeting.
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 2 of 13
(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
Document
Review
Review of student records,
document review, and staff
interviews demonstrated that
whenever the IEP Team
evaluation indicates that a
student's disability affects social
skills development, or when the
student's disability makes him or
her vulnerable to bullying,
harassment, or teasing, the IEP
addresses the skills and
proficiencies needed to avoid and
respond to bullying, harassment,
or teasing. The discussion
regarding the need for skills and
proficiencies is documented under
“Additional Information” within
the IEP, and appropriate goals and
services are documented in the
IEP and on the service delivery
grid.
Staff
Interviews
Student
Record
Review
SE 18A
IEP
Development and
content
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
In any case when the IEP Team
considers and/or addresses the
skills and proficiencies students
need to avoid and respond to
bullying, harassment, or teasing,
the district documents this
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 3 of 13
(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
consideration in the Notice of
Proposed School District Action
(N1), which accompanies the
proposed IEP.
For students identified with a
disability on the autism spectrum,
IEP Teams consider and
specifically address the skills and
proficiencies needed to avoid and
respond to bullying, harassment,
or teasing. Documentation of
support includes IEP goals,
entries on student service delivery
grids, educational
accommodations in the Present
Level of Performance B section,
and a statement in the Notice of
Proposed School District Action
(N1).

SE 25
Parental consent
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Student
Document review and staff
interviews indicated the district’s
procedure for the revocation of
consent to special education
services requires that parents put
the request in writing, followed by
a notice from the district that
services will be discontinued in a
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 4 of 13
(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
Record
Review
reasonable period of time. This
notice is accompanied by a copy
of parents’ procedural safeguards.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The procedure also states that the
district will not use mediation or
request a due process hearing to
obtain agreement or a ruling
requiring the continuation of
services.
Student record review indicated
that one parent has revoked
consent. The district immediately
sent a letter indicating when the
student’s services would be
discontinued and a copy of
procedural safeguards for special
education.
Document review and staff
interviews indicated that the
district now secures parental
consent prior to conducting a
Functional Behavioral
Assessment (FBA). Record
review demonstrated several
examples of notice and evaluation
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 5 of 13
(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
consent forms, which included a
description of the FBA on the
consent form.
SE 51
Appropriate
special education
teacher
licensure
(Commonwealth
Charter Schools
only)
Not
Applicable
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 6 of 13
(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
SE 15
Outreach by
School District
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Document
Review
According to document
review and staff
interviews, the district’s
outreach for students
aged 6 to 22 in need of
special education includes
the formation of interagency partnerships;
annual mailings to area
health agencies, clinics
and private providers;
flyers posted in each
school building; and a
web link to the North
Attleborough Public
Schools’ Special
Education website, which
outlines how parents may
request a special
education evaluation.
Staff
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 7 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 18B
Determination of
Placement and
Provision of the
IEP to Parents
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Document
Review
Document review and
staff interviews indicated
that the district closed the
substantially separate
high school program Step
Up/Transitions in 2010.
Staff
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
Interviews also indicated
that the district has
discontinued the practice
of placing middle school
students in high school
programs.
SE 29
Communications
are in English and
the Primary
Language of the
Home

Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Student
Record
Review
According to document
review and staff
interviews, the district has
procedures to identify
which parents need
translated documents and
interpreters. This
included the district’s
home language surveys
and a tracking log used to
record family preferences
for translation. The
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 8 of 13
(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
district has also
developed a clear set of
guidelines and resources
for staff to follow to
obtain translations or
interpreters in several
languages.
In addition, the district
provided documentation
that IEP meetings are
conducted with
interpreters familiar with
special education.
A review of student
records demonstrated that
special education
documents were
translated for families
who had indicated the
need for documents in the
primary language of the
home. Records showed
that interpreters sign the
Team attendance form to
document the provision
of oral translation.
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 9 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 40
Instructional
grouping
Requirements for
Students Age Five
and Older
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
The district provided
instructional grouping
data for all special
education programming
in the district.
The district submitted a
Notice of Increased
Instructional Group Size,
submitted to the
Department on November
14, 2012, for the middle
school Alternative
Learning Center
classrooms and the ACE
program. It included
schedules; notice sent to
all parents; a narrative
response to the reasons
for increased group size;
and the steps the district
will take for next year.
All other district special
education classes and
programs are consistently
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 10 of 13
(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
staffed with appropriate
staff-to-student ratios.
SE 41
Age Span
Requirements

Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
The district provided age
span data for all special
education programs in the
district’s elementary,
middle and high schools.
The district provided two
age span waivers
approved by the
Department on November
8, 2012 for the Twelve
Plus Program and the
Bridges Program.
All other programs have
instructional groups with
appropriate age ranges.
SE 43
Behavioral
Intervention

Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Document review
demonstrated that the
district has appropriate
procedures for conducting
a Functional Behavioral
Assessment (FBA);
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 11 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Record
Review
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
several examples of
assessments and
behavioral intervention
plans were included in
documentation.
Student records
demonstrated that FBAs
and other forms of
behavioral support were
considered for students
whose behaviors impeded
learning.
SE 55
Special Education
Facilities and
Classrooms

Document
Review
Facilities
Review
Facility review
demonstrated that the
high school Learning
Center Program now
occupies two classrooms
that are located next to
each other. Students no
longer walk through a
general education
classroom to access their
instructional space.
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 12 of 13
(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
Documentation and
facility observations
demonstrated that the
middle school’s
Academic Support classes
were moved to full
classrooms that now
include both special
education students and
general education
students.
North Attleborough School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 30, 2013
Page 13 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements