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 16, 2013
Stephanie Davolos, Executive Director
North Central Charter Essential School
171 South Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Ms. Davolos:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district on February 12, 2013. 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: interviews, review of student records,
examination of documentation, and classroom observation(s).
The Department determined that one or more of the criteria monitored in your district was
“Partially Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance was
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 4, 2013.
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 Paula Twomey at 781338-3730.
Sincerely,
Paula Twomey, 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
Kristina Mecelicaite, Director of Special Education, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 2 of 10
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
NORTH CENTRAL CHARTER ESSENTIAL SCHOOL
Date of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: February 12, 2013
Date of this Report: August 16, 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
SE 7
Transfer of
parental rights
and student
participation and
consent at age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Partially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Investigation
Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Student
Record
Review
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Document review, staff
interviews, and student
record review
confirmed that one year
prior to the student
reaching age 18, the
school informs both the
student and the
parent/guardian that all
rights accorded to
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and
Timelines for Implementation
Please review the administrative
advisory 2011-12 that can be found at:
http://www.doe.mwass.edu/sped/adviso
ries/11_1.html and revise the school’s
procedures as necessary.
Review the advisory and procedures
with IEP Team Chairpersons at the
high school level on the requirement to
obtain consent from the student to
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 1 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Submit a copy of
the revised age of
majority
procedures.
Submit evidence of
staff training,
including an
agenda, training
materials, and
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
parents under special
education law will
transfer to the student
upon turning 18.
Record review
demonstrated that the
school’s IEP Teams
document this
notification in the
Additional Information
section of subsequent
IEPs.
However,
student records and staff
interviews indicated
that when the student
turns age 18, the school
does not obtain consent
from the student to
continue the thencurrent program of
special education
services for students
with sole decision
making rights or joint
decision making.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and
Timelines for Implementation
continue his/her current program of
special education services.
Please develop an internal system of
periodic review of IEPs for evidence
that the student’s consent has been
obtained when he or she has turned 18
and has decision-making rights. Please
identify the person(s) responsible by
name and title for this internal
monitoring.
Conduct an internal review of 5-10
student records for evidence that the
school has obtained consent from the
student to continue special education
services upon reaching age 18. This
sample must be drawn from those
students who turned 18 after all
corrective actions have been
implemented.
*Please note that when conducting
internal monitoring the district must
maintain the following
documentation and make it available
to the Department upon request: a)
List of student names and grade level
for the record review; b) Date of the
review; c) Name of person(s) who
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 2 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
signed attendance
sheets, indicating
name and role of
staff.
Submit a
description of the
oversight system
and identify the
person(s)
responsible for
monitoring,
including the date
of the system's
implementation.
This progress report
is due October 21,
2013.
Submit a report of
the results of an
internal review of
records. Include the
number of records
reviewed and
number of records
in compliance. For
all records not in
compliance with
this criterion,
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
conducted the review, their roles(s),
and their signature(s)

Staff
Interviews
Student
Record
Review
SE 8
IEP Team
composition and
attendance
A review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated that
the school has a process
to ensure that all
required members
attend IEP Team
meetings.
This process includes
obtaining the parent’s
permission in writing to
excuse Team members
who are not necessary
because their area of the
curriculum or services
is not being modified or
discussed.
In rare instances when a
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 3 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
provide corrective
actions taken by the
district to remedy
any noncompliance. This
progress report is
due February 24,
2014.
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
general education
teacher is unable to
attend, the school
ensures that another
general education
teacher of the student is
present at the Team
meeting and reports on
the progress of the
student.
Staff interviews also
indicated that the school
ensures that the excused
required member
provides written input
to the parent and the
IEP Team for IEP
development prior to
the meeting.
SE 18A
IEP
Development
and content

Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
Student
Record
A review of documents
and staff interviews
verified that the school
has implemented
training and developed
procedures regarding
the IEP Team’s
obligation to discuss
and document within
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 4 of 10
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Review
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and
Timelines for Implementation
the IEP the skills
needed to address when
the student’s disability
affects social skills
development or makes
the student susceptible
to bullying, harassment,
or teasing.
Student record review
verified that for students
on the autism spectrum,
the school has
developed consistent
procedures to document
the IEP Team’s
consideration of the
specific skills and
proficiencies needed to
avoid and respond to
bullying, harassment or
teasing.
SE 25
Parental consent

Document
Review
Staff
Interviews
According to staff
interviews, the school
has not had a parent
exercise his or her right
of revocation after
consenting to a
student’s special
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 5 of 10
(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
education services for
several years.
Document review and
interviews verified that
should a parent revoke
consent in writing, the
district will promptly
provide him/her with a
written notice of the
district’s proposal to
discontinue services, as
well as inform the
parent as to how to
obtain a copy of
procedural safeguards.
This notice will be
provided within a
reasonable time before
discontinuing any
services.
Interviews also verified
that the school will not
use mediation or request
a due process hearing to
obtain agreement or a
ruling requiring the
continuation of services,
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 6 of 10
(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
consistent with federal
regulation.

SE 51
Appropriate
special education
teacher licensure
(Commonwealth
Charter Schools
only)
Document
Review
A review of licensure
documents verified that
the director and all
current special
education teachers hold
valid licenses and thus
are qualified to provide
such specialized
instruction to students
in special education
programs.
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 7 of 10
(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 3
Specific
Learning
Disability
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
Partially
Implemented
Student
Record
Review
A review of student
records and staff
interviews found that
the school’s IEP
Teams do not always
complete all required
components for
documenting the IEP
Team’s determination
of specific learning
disability (SLD).
Please complete the observations for
individual students identified by the
Department in the Student Record
Issues Worksheet.
Staff
Interviews
Specifically, student
records revealed that
the charter school is
not utilizing the Team
determination of
eligibility form
(mandated form
28M/10) or
completing an
observation.
Conduct an analysis of student
records for students either initially
evaluated or re-evaluated for SLD
eligibility between September 2012
and April 2013 to determine why IEP
Teams do not consistently complete
the required observation or document
the Team’s decision with the Specific
Learning Disability Team
Determination of Eligibility form.
Based on the results of the analysis,
provide the school’s determination of
the root cause(s) of the noncompliance, the steps the district
proposes to take to correct the root
causes, and a timeline for the
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 8 of 10
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Provide copies of the
completed
observation and the
Notice of the School
District Proposal to
Act (N1) and Meeting
Invitation (N3) for
each individual
student identified by
the Department in the
Student Record Issues
Worksheet as
evidence that IEP
teams reconvened and
completed the
mandated SLD Team
determination of
eligibility form.
Submit the results of
the analysis
conducted of the
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
implementation of those corrections.
Following the implementation of all
corrective actions, conduct a student
record review of 10 records for
evidence that students suspected of
SLD have a completed observation
and Teams have documented their
determination using the mandated
form. This sample must be drawn
from records of students evaluated or
re-evaluated for determination of
SLD subsequent to the completion of
the school’s corrective actions.
*Please note that when conducting
internal monitoring the district
must maintain the following
documentation and make it
available to the Department upon
request: a) List of student names
and grade level for the record
review; b) Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who conducted
the review, their roles(s), and their
signature(s)
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 9 of 10
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
records for SLD
students. Include the
number of records
reviewed and the
number of records in
compliance. Include a
description of the root
cause(s); of any
noncompliance; a
description of the
steps the district will
take to correct the
root cause(s); and the
district’s proposed
timeline for
implementation of
corrective actions.
This progress report is
due October 21,
2013.
Submit a report of the
results of an internal
review of records.
Include the number of
records reviewed and
number of records in
compliance. For all
records not in
compliance with this
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
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
criterion, provide
corrective actions
taken by the district to
remedy any noncompliance. This
progress report is due
February 24, 2014.
SE 32
Special
Education Parent
Advisory
Council

Document
Review
Interviews
An interview with
staff and a parent
advisory council
(PAC) member
indicated that the
PAC continues to
meet on a regular
basis and conducts a
parental rights
workshop annually.
Document review also
demonstrated that the
PAC has by-laws
regarding the election
of officers and
operational
procedures and has
opportunities to
advise the school on
matters that pertain to
the education and
safety of students
with disabilities.
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 10 of 10
Criterion
SE 47
Procedural
Requirements
for Students not
yet Eligible for
Special
Education
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
charter school’s code
of conduct now
contains the
procedural
requirements applied
to students not yet
determined to be
eligible for special
education prior to
disciplinary action.
Staff
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for Implementation
North Central Charter Essential School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
August 16, 2013
Page 11 of 10
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
North Central Charter Essential 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