Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
April 15, 2011
Paul Burnim, Superintendent
Orange Public School District
131 West Main Street
Orange, Massachusetts 01364
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Burnim:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the onsite visit conducted in your district in March 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: 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”. 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 May 9, 2011.
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 Paula
Twomey at 781-338-3730.
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
Vani Rastogi-Kelly, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Richard Herk, School Committee Chairperson
Jay Conway, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Orange Public School District
Date of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: March 4, 2011
Date of this Report: April 15, 2011
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 at age
of majority
and student
participation
and consent
at the age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented

Not
Applicable
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
This criterion is not applicable as
the Orange Public Schools serve
grades preK – 6 only.
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 1 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Document
Review
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district provided the name of
the educational interpreter
contracted by the district and
copies of the educational
interpreter’s registration with the
Massachusetts Commission for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 2 of 11
(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 1
Criterion
Implemented


Assessments
are
appropriately
selected and
interpreted
for students
referred for
evaluation
SE 5
Participation
in general
State and
district-wide
assessment
programs
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Document
Review
In interpreting evaluation data and
making decisions, the Team ensures
that the placement decision conforms
with placement in the least restrictive
environment.
Interviews
Student
Records

Document
Review
Interviews
The district’s IEP Teams designate
how each student will participate in
MCAS and, if necessary, provide an
alternate assessment.
Student
Records
Interviews
SE 8
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
The required Team members are in
attendance at IEP Team meetings.
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 3 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
IEP Team
composition
and
attendance
SE 15
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)

Document
Review

Interviews
Document
Review

Interviews
IEP
development
and content
PI
Student
Records
Interviews
SE 18B
Determination of
placement;
provision of
IEP to parent
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
Student
Records
Outreach by
the School
District
(Student
Find)
SE 18A
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
The district has annual and more
frequent outreach and continuous
liaison with community groups from
which promotion or transfer of
students in need of special education
may be expected, or which would
include students in need of special
education.
Teams fully complete the IEP,
including the Present Levels of
Educational Performance (PLEP) B:
Other Educational Needs section.
Immediately following the
development of the IEP, the district
provides the parent with two copies of
the proposed IEP and placement.
However, on the Placement Consent
Form (PL1), while the district is
identifying the Team Recommended
Educational Placement and
Corresponding Placement, the district
is not identifying the specific location
Train IEP Team chairpersons on
the completion of the PL1 form of
the IEP, specifically as it relates to
the location of service provision.
Develop an internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure that
Teams appropriately complete the
PL1 form and include the location
of service provision.
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 4 of 11
Provide an
agenda, signed
attendance
sheets
(indicating role
of staff) and
training
materials for
staff training on
the requirements
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
of service provision.
Conduct an internal review of
records in which an IEP was
developed since the district’s
corrective actions were
implemented to determine whether
the PL1 form is appropriately
completed.
*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).
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
for completion
of the PL1 form.
Also submit the
description of
the internal
oversight and
tracking system
and identify the
person(s)
responsible for
the oversight,
including the
date of the
system’s
implementation.
Submit this
information by
September 30,
2011.
Submit a report
of the results of
an internal
review of
records for
completion of
the PL1
form since
the district’s
corrective
actions were
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 5 of 11
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
implemented.
Include the
following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records that
included
appropriate
completion
of the PL1
form;
 Results of
the root
cause
analysis of
any records
not in
compliance;
and
 Specific
action taken
by the
district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
Submit the
report by
December 16,
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 6 of 11
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Document
Review
The program selected is the least
restrictive environment for students,
with consideration given to any
potential harmful effect on the student
or on the quality of services that he or
she needs.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
2011.
SE 20

Interviews
Least
restrictive
program
selected
Student
Records
Interviews
SE 25

Student
Records
Parental
Consent
SE 25A
Interviews

Student
Records
Sending of
copy of notice
to Special
Education
Appeals
Interviews
SE 26

The district does not remove an
eligible student from the general
education classroom solely because of
needed modification in the curriculum.
The school district obtains written
parental consent before conducting an
initial evaluation and before making
an initial placement of a student in a
special education program, as well as
before conducting a re-evaluation.
The school district obtains consent to
the services proposed on a student’s
IEP before providing such services.
Within five calendar days of receiving
notice that a parent has rejected an
IEP, the school district sends a copy of
the notice to the Bureau of Special
Education Appeals (BSEA).
The district schedules the IEP Team
meeting at a mutually agreed upon
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 7 of 11
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Parent
participation
in meetings
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
Records
time and place and documents such
efforts for parents/guardians to
participate. If neither parent can
attend, the district uses other methods
to ensure parent participation,
including individual or conference
telephone calls, or video conferencing.
The district ensures that
communications with parents are in
both English and the primary language
of the home, if such primary language
is other than English.
Interviews
SE 29

Student
Records
Communications are in
English and
primary
language of
home
SE 32

Interviews
Parent
advisory
council for
special
education
SE 37
Procedures
for approved
and
Document
Review

Document
Review
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
The district has established a districtwide parent advisory council (PAC)
for special education and membership
is offered to all parents of students
with disabilities and other interested
parties. The PAC participates in the
planning, development, and evaluation
of the school district’s special
education programs.
Monitoring plans and completed
monitoring forms are included in the
files of eligible students who have
been placed out-of-district.
Student
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 8 of 11
(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
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Records
unapproved
out-ofdistrict
placements
PI
See SE 46.
.
Although the district has appropriate
procedures for the suspension of
special education students, these
procedures are not included in the
student code of conduct.
Include the appropriate procedures
for the discipline of students with
disabilities in the student code of
conduct.
SE 45
Procedures
for
suspension
up to 10 days
and after 10
days;
General
requirements
PI
SE 46
Procedures
for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
when
suspensions
exceed 10
consecutive
school days
or a
pattern has
developed for
Document
Review
Interviews
Student
Records
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 9 of 11
Submit the
updated student
code of conduct
by September
30, 2011.
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
PI
Document
Review
Although the district implements the
appropriate procedural requirements
applied to students not yet determined
to be eligible for special education, the
student code of conduct does not
include these procedural requirements.
Update the student code of
conduct to include the procedural
requirements applied to students
not yet determined to be eligible
for special education.
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
suspensions
exceeding 10
cumulative
days;
responsibilities of the
Team;
responsibilities of the
district
SE 47
Procedural
requirements
applied to
students not
yet
determined
to be eligible
for special
education
SE 52
Appropriate
certifications/
licenses or
other
credentials—
related
service
Interviews
Student
Records

Document
Review
The district’s related service providers
are appropriately certified, licensed,
board-registered or otherwise
approved to provide such services by
the relevant professional standards
board or agency for the profession.
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 10 of 11
Submit the
updated student
code of conduct
by September
30, 2011.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Document
Review
The district ensures that persons
employed as paraprofessionals and
assistants do not design instruction for
students with disabilities, but are
expected to implement instruction
under the supervision of an
appropriately certified or licensed
professional who is proximate and
readily available to provide such
supervision.
The school district now provides
classrooms at Butterfield Elementary
School for students receiving
occupational therapy and Dexter Park
Elementary School for behaviorally
involved students that are at least
equal in all physical respects to the
average standards of general education
facilities and classrooms.
The district evaluates its special
education programs and services
regularly.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
providers
SE 53

Interviews
Use of
paraprofessionals
Observations
SE 55

Interviews
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms
Document
Review
SE 56

Special
education
programs
and services
are evaluated
Interviews
Orange Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 15, 2011
Page 11 of 11
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Orange Public School District
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