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
September 3, 2013
Dr. Paul Dakin, Superintendent
Revere Public Schools
101 School Street
Revere, MA 02151
Re: Mid-Cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Dakin:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the onsite visit conducted in your district in May 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: 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 September 18, 2013.
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 Lynn A. Summerill at
781-338-3735.
Sincerely,
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
Vani Rastogi-Kelly, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Mayor Dan Rizzo, School Committee Chairperson
Christopher Malone, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Revere Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 14-15, 2013
Date of this Report: September 3, 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)
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
PI
Student
Records
The district does not
consistently notify the student
and parent/guardian of the
transfer of rights requirements
one year prior to the student
reaching age 18. Specifically,
the district does not inform the
student and parent/guardian that
all rights accorded to parents
under special education law
will transfer to the 18 year-old
student. In addition, the district
For those students who are 17
years of age and whose records
were identified by the
Department, provide notice to
the student and parent/guardian
of the transfer of parental
rights. Ensure that the
notification states that all rights
accorded to parents/guardians
under special education law
will transfer to the student once
he or she turns 18 years of age.
For those student
records identified
by the
Department, for
students 17 years
of age, submit a
copy of the
notification
provided to the
student and
parent/guardian.
For students who
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 1 of 14
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
does not consistently obtain
consent from the student to
continue his or her special
education program upon
reaching the age of 18; students
are not signing their IEPs at the
age of majority.
Additionally, for those students
who have reached the age of
majority, obtain consent from
the student to continue his or
her special education program.
have reached the
age of majority,
submit a copy of
the signature
page from the
most recently
developed IEP,
after the student
turned 18 years
of age.
Develop procedures for
informing the student and
parent/guardian of the transfer
of parental rights requirements
one year prior to the student
reaching the age of 18. Also
develop procedures for
obtaining consent from the
student to continue his or her
special education program.
Train all high school IEP Team
chairpersons on these
procedures.
Using the district’s special
education database, develop an
internal oversight and tracking
system to ensure the
implementation of the age of
majority procedures. The
tracking system should include
supervisory oversight and
periodic reviews by the
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 2 of 14
Provide a copy of
the procedures
and evidence of
Team
chairperson
training at the
high school.
Submit the
agenda and
signed
attendance sheet
with the name
and role of staff.
Submit a
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
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
Director of Special Education
to ensure ongoing compliance.
system with
periodic reviews,
along with the
name and role of
the designated
person.
Develop a report of the results
of an internal review of records
for students who turned 17
years of age and for students
who turned 18 years of age,
after implementation of all of
the district’s corrective actions,
for evidence of compliance
with provision of notification
one year prior to the student
reaching the age of majority
and obtaining consent from the
student to continue his or her
special education program.
*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
levels for the record review;
b) Date of the review;
c) Name of person(s) who
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 3 of 14
Submit the above
information by
November 12,
2013.
Submit the
results of a
review of student
records and
include the
following:
1. Number of
records
reviewed;
2. Number of
records in
compliance;
3. For any
records not in
compliance,
determine the
root cause; and
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 with
their roles(s) and
signature(s).
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
4. Specific
corrective actions
taken to remedy
the noncompliance.
Submit the
information
indicated above
by February 25,
2014.

SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and
attendance
Student
Records
The district has all members in
attendance at IEP Team
meetings. In the event that a
Team member does not attend,
the district is using the excusal
process appropriately. If a
Team member is unable to
attend an IEP Team meeting:
1. The district and parent agree,
in writing, that the attendance
of the Team member is not
necessary because the
member’s area of the
curriculum or related services is
not being modified or
discussed; or
2. The district and parent agree,
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 4 of 14
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented


SE 18A
IEP
Development
and content
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
in writing, to excuse the
required 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 for
students identified with a
disability on the autism
spectrum, when a student’s
disability affects social skills
development, or when the
disability makes the student
vulnerable to bullying,
harassment or teasing. This
information is indicated in the
Notice of Proposed School
District Action (N1), as well as
in the IEP under the Additional
Information section, the Present
Levels of Educational
Performance B: Other
Educational Needs (PLEP B)
section and in the IEP goals and
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 5 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
Student
Records

Document
Review
Interviews
SE 25
Parental
consent
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
objectives.
Upon receipt of a parent’s
written request to discontinue
special education services, the
district immediately provides
written notice to the parent of
the district’s proposal to
discontinue services based on
the revocation of consent, along
with a copy of the procedural
safeguards. The district
provides this notice a
reasonable time before it
intends to discontinue services.
When parents do not respond to
the district’s efforts to obtain
consent before conducting an
initial evaluation or a reevaluation, the district attempts
to secure consent through
multiple means such as notices
sent via certified mail,
telephone calls with offers to
meet with parents to review the
proposed evaluation, and home
visits.
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 6 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 2
Required and
optional
assessments
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 always
conduct classroom
observations that parents have
consented to, as part of the
initial evaluation or reevaluation process, for
students whose suspected
disability is other than
Specific Learning Disability
(SLD).
Conduct the classroom
observations for those students
whose records were identified by
the Department.
Develop an internal oversight
and tracking system to ensure
that the district conducts
classroom observations when
parents have provided consent.
The tracking system should
include supervisory oversight
and periodic reviews to ensure
ongoing compliance.
For those
students whose
records were
identified by the
Department,
submit a copy
of the
classroom
observation, the
Team Meeting
Invitation (N3)
and the signed
Team Meeting
Attendance
Sheet (N3A)
indicating that
the Team
reconvened and
discussed the
observation
results.
After implementation of all of
the district’s corrective actions,
Submit a copy
of the
Develop procedures to ensure
that classroom observations are
conducted when parents have
provided consent. Train
appropriate staff on these
procedures.
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 7 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
develop a report of the results of
an internal review of records to
ensure that the district conducts
classroom observations when a
parent has provided consent.
* 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 levels
for the record review; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted the
review with their roles(s) and
signature(s).
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
procedures and
evidence of
staff training,
including the
agenda and
sign-in sheet.
Submit a
description of
the internal
oversight and
tracking system
with the name
and role of the
designated
person.
Submit the
information
indicated above
by November
12, 2013.
Submit the
results of the
review of
records and
include the
following:
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 8 of 14
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
1. Number of
records
reviewed;
2. Number of
records in
compliance;
3. For any
records not in
compliance,
determine the
root cause; and
4. Specific
corrective
actions taken to
remedy the noncompliance.
Submit the
above
information by
February 25,
2014.
SE 11
School
district
response to
parental
request for
Student
Records

Document
Review
The district’s letter to parents
who request an independent
educational evaluation (IEE)
is appropriate and includes the
following:
1) A statement acknowledging
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 9 of 14
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

independent
educational
evaluation
SE 15
Outreach by
the school
district
(Student
Find)

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Interviews
that the unique circumstances
of a child may justify an
individual assessment rate
higher than normally allowed;
and
2) A description of the
provisions entitling parents to
an IEE in an area not assessed
by the district.
The revised letter no longer
contains references to
Ch. 766.
The district’s outreach
activities include notices and
publications that contain
statements that student find
extends to all students age 3 to
21. Notices are sent to early
childhood providers, doctors’
offices, clinics, parental
organizations, private and
parochial schools, other
schools that are part of the
district, and agencies servicing
migrant and homeless
students.
Document
Review
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 10 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 24
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 39B
Procedures
used to
provide
services to
eligible
students who
are enrolled
at private
Criterion
Implemented



Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Student
Records
The Evaluation Consent Form
(N1A) is sent to parents within
five school days of receipt of a
referral.
Document
Review
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
The Notice of Proposed
School District Action (N1) is
comprehensive and contains
all required elements,
including descriptions of
proposed or refused actions,
explanations of why actions
are proposed or refused, other
options that were considered
and rejected, descriptions of
evaluation procedures, other
relevant factors,
recommendations and next
steps.
The district ensures that
students attending private
schools in the district receive
special education services.
When it is not feasible for
students to access services at
the school district during the
day, the district makes
reasonable efforts to
coordinate and ensure that
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 11 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
expense in
private
schools in the
district and
whose
parents reside
out of state
SE 41
Age span
requirements
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
services are available in other
settings.

Document
Review
Interviews
SE 46
Procedures
for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
when
suspensions
exceed 10
Basis of Determination about
Criterion

Student
Records
Document
Review
Interviews
While the age span in the
Functional Academics/Life
Skills class at the high school
exceeds 48 months, the district
applied for a waiver which has
been granted by the
Department. Additionally,
small group counseling
services provided by school
adjustment counselors do not
exceed the age span
requirements.
The district is properly
administering suspension
procedures. Students are
placed in 45-day interim
alternative educational settings
only if the infractions involve
weapons, illegal drugs,
infliction of serious bodily
injury or upon authorization of
a hearing officer who
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
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
consecutive
school days
or a pattern
has
developed for
suspensions
exceeding 10
cumulative
days;
responsibilities of the
Team;
responsibilities of the
district
SE 53
Use of
paraprofessionals
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
determines that the student is
“substantially likely” to injure
him/herself or others.

Document
Review
Interviews
Manifestation determinations
are routinely conducted when
students reach seven days of
suspension. If a manifestation
determination finds that the
behavior is related to the
disability, a functional
behavioral assessment (FBA)
is conducted, the student’s
existing Behavior Intervention
Plan (BIP) is reviewed or a
new one is created, and the
student is returned to his or
her current placement. FBAs
and BIPs are developed and
implemented where
appropriate to prevent
behaviors from reoccurring.
Paraprofessionals are
supervised by special
education teachers and
principals, who are proximate
and readily available.
Paraprofessionals receive
training in special education
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 13 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
and have access to the IEPs
for the students they service.
SE 54
Professional
Development
SE 55
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms
Document
Review
See SE 53.

Interviews
Observation

A site visit to the McKinley
Elementary School confirmed
that special education classes
are not held in hallways.
Special education classrooms
are equal in physical respects
to general education
classrooms and are
interspersed throughout the
building, among the general
education classes.
Revere Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
September 3, 2013
Page 14 of 14
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Revere 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