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 25, 2011
Maureen M. Marshall Superintendent
Quabbin Regional Public Schools
872 South Street
Barre, Massachusetts 01005
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Marshall:
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: 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 2013/2014 School Year 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
1
questions about this letter or the enclosed report, please do not hesitate to contact Nathan
Lemmon at 781-338-3720.
Sincerely,
Nathan Lemmon, 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
Edward Leonard, School Committee Chairperson
Nadine Ekstrom, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Quabbin Regional School District
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: March 28 – 29, 2011
Date of this Report: April 25, 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
parent
rights at the
age of
majority
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student record
review
Interview
Document
review
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district informs students and
parents of the impending transfer
of rights at the age of majority
upon the student turning 17 years
of age. Notification explicitly
states that all rights accorded to
parents under special education
law will transfer to the student one
year later when the student turns
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 1 of 14
(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
18 years of age. Upon reaching the
age of 18, the district implements
procedures to obtain consent from
the student to continue the
student’s special education
program.
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters

Student record
review
Interview
Document
review
The district documented that all
providers of interpreting services
for student who are deaf or hard of
hearing are registered with the
Massachusetts Commission for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 2 of 14
(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 1Assessments
are appropriately
selected and
interpreted for
students referred
for evaluation
SE 2
Required and
optional
assessments
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student
record review
Assessments are now selected
based on a student’s
suspected area of disability,
or identified disability in the
case of a re-evaluation.
Interview
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Document
review

Student
record review
Assessments are conducted in
all areas of suspected
disability.
Interview
Document
review
SE 3
Special
requirements for

Student
record review
The district uses the
Department’s Specific
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 3 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

determination of
specific learning
disability
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interview
Document
review
SE 4
Reports of
assessment
results

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 5
Participation in
general State and
district-wide
assessment
programs

Student
record review
Interview
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Learning Disability (SLD)
determination forms. IEP
Teams do complete these
forms correctly.
Assessments completed by
the district contain
educationally relevant
recommendations and are
available to parents at least
two days before the IEP
Team meeting.
Student IEPs refer to
accommodations for taking
the MCAS and specific
testing accommodations are
identified on the IEP.
Document
review
SE 6
Determination of
transition
services

Student
record review
Interview
The district uses Transition
Planning forms for students
14 years or older. Transition
Plans contain individualized
goals that address student
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 4 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Document
review
SE 8
IEP Team
composition and
attendance

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 9
Timeline for
determination of
eligibility and
provision of
documentation to
parent

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
specific transitional needs.
All required members of the
Team are present at IEP
Team meetings including
parents and regular education
teachers. The district
documents the excusal of IEP
Team members, when
appropriate. Alternative
methods for ensuring parent
participation in IEP Team
meetings (i.e., telephone logs,
letter, email, etc.) are now
evident in the student record.
Evaluations are completed in
thirty school working days
and an IEP is provided within
forty- five school working
days after receipt of the
parent’s written consent to
evaluate the student.
SE 10
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 5 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
End of school
year evaluations
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student
record review
IEP Team meetings are now
scheduled to allow for the
provision of a proposed IEP
no later than 14 days after the
end of the school year.
Interview
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Document
review
SE 11
School district
response to
parental request
for independent
educational
evaluation
SE 12
Frequency of reevaluation

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 13
Progress Reports
and content

Student
record review
Interview
IEP Team meetings are
reconvened within 10 days
from the time that the district
receives the report from the
independent educational
evaluator.
Evaluations are conducted
every three years. The
district implements reevaluation procedures in
cases where it is suspected
that a student is no longer
eligible for special education
services.
Progress reports are now sent
to parents at least as often as
progress reports are sent to
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 6 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Document
review
SE 14
Review and
revision of IEPs

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 16
Screening

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 17
Initiation of
services at age
three and Early
Intervention
transition
procedures

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
parents of non-disabled
students. Progress reports
address the specific IEP
goals.
IEP Team meetings are
conducted on or before the
anniversary date of the IEP.
Parents are provided with a
revised copy of the IEP with
the amendments incorporated
when parents request a copy
of the amended IEP.
Procedures are followed for
those students identified
during screenings as needing
further evaluation to
determine possible eligibility
for special education
services.
Evaluations begin when a
child turns two years six
months to ensure
implementation of an IEP for
eligible students by the
child’s third birthday.
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 7 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 18A
IEP development
and content
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student
record review
Present Levels of Educational
Performance (PLEP B), the
MCAS accommodation page
and Nonparticipation
Justification Statements are
filled out correctly on
Individualized Education
Plans proposed by the
district.
Interview
Document
review
SE 20
Least restrictive
program selected

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 21
School day and
school year
requirements

Student
record review
Interview
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
When students are removed
from regular education
classrooms, IEP Teams
document why removal to a
more restrictive educational
environment is critical.
Extended School Year
services are now considered
for students on an individual
basis and not on the
availability of programs in
the district.
Document
review
SE 24
The district sends the consent
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 8 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Notice to parent
regarding
proposal or
refusal to initiate
or change the
identification,
evaluation, or
educational
placement of the
student or the
provision of
FAPE
SE 25
Parental consent
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student
record review
to evaluate form to the
parents of a child with a
suspected area of disability
within five days of the receipt
of a referral. This occurs both
in cases where the original
referral comes from a parent
and also when the referral
comes from a district
employee, specifically a
teacher.
Interview
Document
review

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 26
Sending of copy

Student
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
District employees and
contracted service providers
do not begin services
described on a new IEP plan
until the parent of the child
signs their consent to the
plan. There is a system
established to ensure the
district makes multiple
attempts to secure parental
consent to a recently
proposed IEP.
The district consistently
documents attempts to ensure
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 9 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
record review
of notice to
Special
Education
Appeals
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
parent participation in IEP
Team meetings.
Interview
Document
review
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for
special education

Student
record review
Interview
PAC representatives are now
involved in the planning,
development, and evaluation
of the district’s special
education programs.
Document
review
SE 34
Continuum of
alternative
services and
placements

Student
record review
Interview
The district provides a
continuum of alternative
services and placements for
students receiving Special
Education.
Document
review
SE 35
Assistive
technology:
specialized
materials and
equipment

Student
record review
Interview
IEP Teams consider assistive
technology for each eligible
student in the district.
Document
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 10 of 14
(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
review
SE 36
IEP
implementation,
accountability
and financial
responsibility

Student
record review
IEP services are implemented
as stated in the IEP.
Interview
Document
review
SE 37
Procedures for
approved and
unapproved outof-district
placements

Student
record review
The district established
formal monitoring procedures
for out-of-district placements.
Interview
Document
review
SE 40
Instructional
grouping
requirements for
students aged
five and older

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
No instructional group size
exceeds twelve students with
one teacher and one
instructional assistant. The
district is aware of the
requirement to report to the
Department when
instructional groupings
exceed the limits defined
under CMR 603 28.06(6) as
well as waiver requirements.
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 11 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 42
Programs for
young children
three and four
years of age
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
record review
Interview
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Evaluations begin when a
child turns two years six
months to ensure
implementation of an IEP for
eligible students by the
child’s third birthday.
Document
review
SE 43
Behavioral
interventions

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities

Student
record review
IEP Teams in the district
consider the need for a
Functional Behavioral
Assessment whenever a
student’s behavior impedes
learning.
The district implements
procedures for conducting a
manifestation determination.
Interview
Document
review
SE 49Related
services

Student
record review
Students’ identified as having
a social, emotional, or
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 12 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interview
Document
review
SE 53Use of
paraprofessionals

Student
record review
Interview
Document
review
SE 55 Special
education
facilities and
classrooms
SE 56 Special
education

On-Site
Verification

Student
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
behavioral disability have full
programmatic access to
counseling services, and/or
behavioral interventions
throughout the district.
Paraprofessionals in the
district do not design
instruction and are under the
direct supervision of a
licensed professional
educator. Paraprofessionals
are appropriately trained to
assist in providing special
education or related services.
Occupational therapy and
physical therapy services are
no longer provided in the
hallway, library, cafeteria,
and other public areas at the
Oakham Elementary,
Hubbardston Elementary and
the Ruggles Lane Elementary
schools.
The district regularly
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 13 of 14
(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
record review
Interview
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
evaluates its special
education programs and
services.
Document
review
Quabbin Regional Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
April 25, 2011
Page 14 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements