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 21, 2012
Beth Singer, Superintendent
Provincetown Public Schools
12 Winslow Street
Provincetown, MA 02657
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Singer:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district in May 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: interviews, review of student records, examination of
documentation, and classroom observation(s).
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 2014 - 2015 school year unless the Department determines that there
is some reason to schedule this visit earlier.
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 Coretta McCarter at 781338-3733.
Sincerely,
Coretta McCarter, 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
Dean Paolillo, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Shannon Patrick, School Committee Chairperson
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Provincetown Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 7-8, 2012
Date of this Report: June 21, 2012
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)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Record
Review
Staff
Interview
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
One year prior to the student
reaching age 18, the district
informs the student and the
parent/guardian of the rights that
will transfer from the
parent/guardian to the student upon
the student’s 18th birthday.
The notification provided to both
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 1 of 15
(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 student and the parent/guardian
states that all rights accorded to
parents under special education law
will transfer to the 18 year old
student.
Upon reaching the age of 18, the
district consistently implements
procedures to obtain consent from
the student to continue the
student’s special education
program. The district is providing
the IEP and the Notice of Proposed
School District Action (N1) to the
student as appropriate.

SE 8
IEP Team
composition and
attendance
Student
Record
Review
Staff
Interview
A review of student records and
interviews indicate that the IEP
Team meeting attendance is
consistent with regulatory
requirements. At all grade levels,
all required members of the IEP
Team are present at IEP Team
meetings. Members of the IEP
Team attend IEP Team meetings
unless:
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 2 of 15
(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



SE 18A
IEP
development
and content
Student
Record
Review
Staff
Interview
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district and the parent
agree, in writing, that the
attendance of the IEP
Team member is not
necessary because the
member’s area of the
curriculum or related
services is not being
modified or discussed; or
The district and parent
agree, in writing, to excuse
a required IEP Team
member’s participation and
the excused member
provides written input into
the development of the IEP
to the parent and IEP Team
prior to the meeting.
IEP Teams consider and
specifically address the skills and
proficiencies needed to avoid and
respond to bullying, harassment, or
teasing when a student is identified
with a disability that affects social
skills development, when the
disability makes him or her
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 3 of 15
(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
vulnerable to bullying, harassment,
or teasing; or when the student is
identified with a disability on the
autism spectrum.
IEPs address all required elements:
 Extended school day/year;
 Non-participation
justification statement;
 Present Levels of
Educational Performance
(PLEP) B” page; and

Additional information
sections are completed and
specific to each individual
student.

SE 25
Parental consent
Student
Record
Review
Staff
Interview
The district provides written notice
to the parent when a parent revokes
consent to special education
services in writing stating the
district’s proposal to discontinue
services based on the revocation of
consent. The notice includes
information on how the parent can
obtain a copy of the procedural
safeguards. The district provides
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 4 of 15
(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
notice within a reasonable time
before it intends to discontinue
services.
The district obtains parental
consent for IEPs, placement and an
evaluation of the student. In
addition, the district ensures that
parents check off their decisions
with regard to proposals.
When the participation or consent
of the parent is required and the
parent fails or refuses to
participate, the district documents
the attempts to secure the consent
of the parent through multiple
attempts using a variety of
methods.
See also SE 26 and SE 8.
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 5 of 15
(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
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion

Student
Record
Review
The district completes the
required educational
assessments (Educational
Assessments Part A and B) for
initial and re-evaluations.

Student
Record
Review
School personnel are correctly
completing the specific
learning disability (SLD)
forms.

Student
Record
Review
The special educators in the
district are correctly and
consistently using the IEP
Transition Planning Form.
Staff
Interview
The student records showed
that students attend the IEP
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
SE 2
Required and
optional
assessments
SE 3
Special
requirements for
determination of
specific learning
disability
SE 6
Determination of
transition
services
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 6 of 15
(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
Team meetings at which
transition services are
discussed.
SE 9
Timeline for
determination of
eligibility and
provision of
documentation to
parent

Student
Record
Review
A review of student records
indicated that the district
provides a proposed IEP and
placement within 45 school
working days of receipt of
parental consent.
SE 12

Student
Record
Review
A review of student records
indicated that a re-evaluation is
conducted every three-years
for students at the high school
level unless:
a. The parent and district
agreed that it is
unnecessary;
b. A re-evaluation is
conducted no more
frequently than once a
year unless the parent
and district agreed
otherwise.
Frequency of reevaluation
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 7 of 15
(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
Student
Record
Review
At least annually, on or before
the anniversary date of the IEP,
an IEP Team meeting is held to
consider the student’s progress
and to review, revise, or
develop a new IEP for
students.
Document
Review
The district conducts annual
outreach and continuous
liaison with community groups
from which promotion or
transfer of students in need of
special education may be
expected.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
SE 14
Review and
revision of IEPs

SE 15
Outreach by the
School District

Staff
Interview
SE 18B
Determination of
placement;
provision of IEP
to parent

Student
Record
Review
Staff
Interview
At the IEP Team meeting, after
the IEP has been fully
developed, the Team provides
a written proposal of the IEP to
the parent immediately. The
proposal contains information
regarding the service delivery
and goals.
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 8 of 15
(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 20
Least restrictive
program selected

Student
Record
Review
The district consistently
completes individualized
student- specific Nonparticipation Justification
statements where students
receive direct services in a
special education setting.

Student
Records
The IEP Team consistently
considers the need for an
educational program that is less
than or more than the regular
school day or school year,
including extended day,
extended year, and/or
residential services, and
indicates on the IEP why the
shorter or longer program is
necessary.

Student
Record
Review
The review of student records
indicated that at the beginning
of each school year, the district
has an IEP in effect for each
eligible student including
SE 21
School day and
school year
requirements
SE 22
IEP
implementation
and availability
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 9 of 15
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Staff
Interview
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
students at the junior and
senior high school level.
SE 24
Notice to parent
regarding
proposal or
refusal to initiate
or change the
identification,
evaluation, or
educational
placement of the
child or the
provision of
FAPE

Student
Record
Review
Staff
Interviews
A review of student records
and staff interviews indicated
that the district responds to
referrals for an evaluation
within five school working
days of the receipt of the
referral, in addition to
providing parents with the
district’s notice of procedural
safeguards.
The district provides parents
with the written notice of
proposed school district action
(N1) which addresses all of the
content requirements set forth
in federal regulation, seeks the
consent of the parent for the
evaluation to occur, and
provides the parent with the
opportunity to express any
concerns or provide
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 10 of 15
(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
information on the student’s
skills or abilities and to consult
regarding the evaluators to be
used.
The district uses the N2 notice
only when the circumstances of
a student make clear that there
is no suspicion of a disability;
that there is no concern about
the student’s development and
the district refuses to conduct
an initial evaluation.
SE 25A
Sending of copy
of notice to
Special
Education
Appeals

Student
Record
Review
Staff
Interviews
The student record review and
staff interviews indicated that
the district sends partially
rejected IEPs to the Bureau of
Special Education Appeals
(BSEA).
SE 26
Parent
participation in
meetings

Student
Record
Review
Staff
The student record review and
staff interviews indicated that
the district notifies all
parent(s), including junior and
senior high school parents, in
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 11 of 15
(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
Interviews
writing of any IEP Team
meeting early enough to ensure
that they have an opportunity
to attend.
Document
Review
A review of documentation and
staff interviews indicated that
the district has procedures to
ensure the translation of
notices, IEP Team meeting
invitations, progress reports,
IEPs, placements and
evaluation consent forms if
necessary.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
SE 29
Communications
are in English
and primary
language of
home

Staff
Interview
In addition, if the district
provides notices orally or in
some other mode of
communication that is not
written language, the district
keeps written documentation
(a) that it has provided such
notice in an alternate manner,
(b) of the content of the notice
and (c) of the steps taken to
ensure that the parent
understands the content of the
notice.
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 12 of 15
(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
Home surveys and notices of
parental requests for
interpreters or translated
documentation are documented
in the student record.
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for
special education

Document
Review
Staff
Interview
The duties of the parent
advisory council for special
education (SEPAC) include
advising the district on matters
that pertain to the education
and safety of students with
disabilities and participating in
the planning, development and
evaluation of the district’s
special education programs.
The SEPAC operates under bylaws and conducts an annual
parents’ rights workshop.
SE 33
Involvement in
the general
curriculum

Student
Record Review
Please see SE 18A.
Staff
Interview
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 13 of 15
(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
Student
Record
Review
A review of student records
and interviews indicated that
the district provides or arranges
for the provision of transition
services and vocational
opportunities for students of
transition age by ensuring that
a continuum of services and
alternative placements is
available to meet the needs of
students with disabilities.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
SE 34
Continuum of
alternative
services and
placements

Staff
Interview
SE 36
IEP
implementation,
accountability
and financial
responsibility

Student
Record
Review
Please see SE 37.
Document
Review
Staff
Interview
SE 37
Procedures for
approved and
unapproved outof-district
placements

Student
Record
Review
A review of student records,
documentation and staff
interviews indicated that the
district enters into written
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 14 of 15
(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
contracts with out-of-district
placements.
Staff
Interview
The district monitors the
provision of services and the
programs of individual
students placed in out-ofdistrict programs. Evidence of
site visits and actual
monitoring plans conducted by
the special education director
are placed in the file of eligible
students who have been placed
out-of-district.
Student
Record
Review
A review of student records,
documentation and interviews
indicate the district is currently
using an updated checklist for
making manifestation
determinations, which reflect
current regulatory
requirements.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities when
suspensions
exceed 10
consecutive
school days or a
pattern has
developed for
suspensions
exceeding 10
cumulative days

Document
Review
Staff
Interview
Provincetown Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 21, 2012
Page 15 of 15
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements