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
June 9, 2011
James Brosnan, Superintendent
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District
McCann Technical School
70 Hodges Cross Road
North Adams, MA 01247
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Brosnan:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district on April 5, 2011. 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.
The Department determined that one or more of the criteria monitored in your district was
“Partially 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 June 23, 2011.
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 Lynn A. Summerill at
413-858-4591 ext.1.
Sincerely,
1
Lynn A. Summerill, 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
D. Beth Lopez, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Dan Maloney, School Committee Chair
Mary Lou Accetta, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Northern Berkshire Vocational Technical RSD
McCann Technical School
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: April 5, 2011
Date of this Report: June 9, 2011
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN TWO SECTIONS.
Required Special Education Criteria Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
Current special education criteria is available at http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
SE 7
Transfer of
parent rights
at the age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI)
or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
PI
Student
Records
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
The district does not
consistently inform
students and
parents/guardians of the
transfer of parental
rights one year prior to
the age of 18. The
district’s current practice
is to inform students and
The district will clarify
its procedures to
ensure that the district
provides notification to
the parent/guardian
and the student of the
transfer of rights at the
age of majority no
later than one year
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 1 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
By October 5, 2011, the
district will submit:
A description of its revised
procedures for the transfer
of parent rights at the age of
majority.
A description 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
parents at the annual
review Team meeting
prior to the student
turning 18, however, in
several cases this may
only be a month or more
before the student
actually turns 18.
Secondly, the district
currently procures
consent from the student
prior to age 18. The
district’s current practice
is to secure consent at
the Team meeting if the
student will turn 18 by
the next annual review
or reevaluation Team
meeting.
before the student
reaches 18, and
subsequently procure
consent and decision
making authority from
students upon turning
18.
The district will
develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system to ensure that
the district complies
with requirements for
the transfer of rights at
the age of majority.
The district will
conduct training on the
revised procedures and
tracking system to
ensure compliance
with this criterion.
After training and
implementation of the
tracking system, the
district will conduct an
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 2 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure
that the district is
implementing all
requirements for the transfer
of rights. Indicate the role(s)
and person(s) responsible
for this oversight.
Submit documentation
(agendas, training materials,
signed attendance sheets)
evidencing that training for
applicable high school
special education staff was
conducted on the revised age
of majority procedures
and tracking system.
By January 12, 2012,
following training and
implementation of the
revised procedures and
tracking system, the district
will conduct an internal
review of student records
and report:
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
internal review of a
sampling of student
records for those
students who became
eligible for these
procedures after the
district implemented
its corrective actions to
ensure compliance
with this criterion.
*Please note 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 levels for the
records reviewed; b)
Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who
conducted the review,
with their role(s) and
signature(s).
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 3 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
1. The number of records
selected for students who
have turned 17 years old.
2. The number of records
that demonstrate that the
district informed students
and parents one year prior to
the student reaching 18 of
the rights that will transfer
from the parent/ guardian to
the student upon the
student’s 18th birthday.
3. The number of student
records that evidenced the
district procured decision
making authority from the
students upon turning 18
years of age.
4. If continued noncompliance is identified,
provide a description of the
root cause; and specific
actions taken by the district
to remedy such
noncompliance.
Criterion
SE 52A
Registration of
educational
interpreters
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
Interview
Document
Review
The district does not
employ educational
interpreters at this time
as the school does not
have any students
enrolled who require
these services. The
district has procedures in
place to address these
requirements and has a
contracted provider if a
student enrolls who
requires these services.
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 4 of 12
(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 2
Required and
optional
assessments
SE 18A
IEP
development
and content
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
provision of
IEP to parent
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation

Student
Records
The district
consistently completes
all required and
optional assessments.
Educational
assessments are
routinely conducted
for all evaluations.

Student
Records
IEPs consistently
identify transportation
services and schedule
modifications.
Student
Records
While parents leave
Team meetings with a
comprehensive Team
meeting summary, the
district does not
PI
If Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented:
Interview
The district will
develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system to ensure that
parents receive two
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 5 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
By October 5, 2011, the
district will submit the
following documentation:
 A description of the
internal oversight
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:
consistently provide
the parent with a copy
of the IEP within 10
calendar days.
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
copies of the proposed
IEP within ten
calendar days after the
Team meeting.
The district will provide
training to special
education staff
responsible for the
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system.
**See the Memorandum
on the implementation of
603 CMR 28:05(7):
parent response to
proposed IEP and
proposed placement at
http://www.doe.mass.edu
/news/news.asp?id=3182
The district will review a
sample of student
records for Team
meetings that were
conducted after the
implementation of the
district’s corrective
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 6 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
and tracking system
and the name and
role of the person(s)
responsible to ensure
the district’s
compliance for the
timely provision of
IEPs.

Documentation
(signed attendance
sheets, agenda,
training materials)
evidencing that
training was
conducted for
required special
education staff.
By January 12, 2012, the
district will report on the
results of the sampling of
student records and address
the following:
1. The number of Team
meetings (annual
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
actions to ensure that
parents received
proposed placements and
IEPs immediately
following Team
meetings.
*Please note 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 levels for the
records reviewed; b)
Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who
conducted the review,
with their role(s) and
signature(s).
SE 20
Least
restrictive
program
PI
Student
Records
The nonparticipation
justification statements
in IEPS are not
individualized and do
The district will
provide training to
special education
teachers, liaisons and
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 7 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
reviews, initials, and
reevaluations) conducted
between October 5,
2011, and January 12,
2012.
2. The number of Team
meetings in which
proposed IEPs and
placements were sent to
parents within 10
calendar days following
the Team meeting.
3. If continued noncompliance is identified,
provide a description of
the root cause; and
specific actions taken by
the district to remedy
such noncompliance.
By October 5, 2011, the
district will submit:
A description of the internal
Criterion
selected
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion
not accurately reflect
when students are
removed from general
education classes, why
the removal is
considered critical to
the student’s program
and the basis for the
Team’s conclusion that
the education of the
student in a less
restrictive
environment, with the
use of supplementary
aids and services could
not be satisfactorily
achieved.
If Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
chairpersons on how
to write appropriate
IEP nonparticipation
justification
statements that
address all required
content elements.
.
Develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system to ensure that
all IEPs contain
accurate and
comprehensive
nonparticipation
justification statements
that reflect when and
why students are
removed from general
education classes.
The district will
conduct an internal
review of a sampling
of IEPs developed
after the
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 8 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
oversight and tracking
system and identify the
title(s) and person(s)
responsible for its oversight.
Documentation (agenda,
training materials, signed
attendance sheets)
evidencing that the district
conducted training for
special education teachers,
liaisons and chairpersons on
the writing and requirements
of IEP non- participation
justification statements.
By January 12, 2012, report
the results of a review of a
sampling of IEPs developed
between October 5, 2011
and January 12, 2012.
Report:
1. The number of student
records reviewed.
2. The number of IEPs that
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 the
district’s corrective
actions to ensure that
IEP nonparticipation
justification statements
are individualized and
contain all required
information.
*Please note 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 levels for the
records reviewed; b)
Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who
conducted the review,
with their role(s) and
signature(s).
SE 40
Instructional

Document
Review
All substantially
separate instructional
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 9 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
contain comprehensive nonparticipation statements.
3. If continued noncompliance is identified,
provide a description of the
root cause; and specific
actions taken by the district
to remedy such
noncompliance.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
SE 54
Professional
development
If Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
groupings are within
required size limits.
grouping
requirements
for students
aged five and
older
SE 53
Use of
paraprofessio
nals
Basis of
Determination about
Criterion

Document
Review
Interviews

Document
Review
Both a special
education teacher who
is proximate and a
speech / language
pathologist who is
readily available
supervise the speech
language
paraprofessional.
The district has
provided six district
wide staff trainings on
the requirements of
special education and
accommodating
diverse learning styles
from 2009 through
2011.
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 10 of 12
(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
SE 55
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms

Observation
of
Facilities
The district built a
temporary divider
between its resource
rooms. These rooms
house both special
education and general
education classes. The
district has inclusion
opportunities for all
students. No student
remains in a selfcontained classroom
the entire day.
Resource rooms are
given the same priority
as general education
classrooms and special
needs students are
integrated into the life
of the school.
SE 56
Special
education

Document
Review
The district submitted
program evaluations
for the 2008-2009 and
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 11 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
Criterion
programs and
services are
evaluated
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
Interview
2009-2010 school
years evidencing that it
regularly evaluates its
special education
programs and services.
Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 9, 2011
Page 12 of 12
(b) Progress Report Due
Date(s) and Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District
McCann Technical 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
McCann Technical School Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 3, 2011