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
July 20, 2011
Dr. William Cameron, Superintendent
Salem Public Schools
29 Highland Ave.
Salem, MA 01970
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Cameron:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based
on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your school on May 19-20, 2011. In this Mid-cycle
Review the Department monitored selected special education criteria to determine your school’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 and on-site observations.
The Department found one or more of the criteria monitored in your school to be “Partially
Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance has been found, the
Department has prescribed corrective action for the school. 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 school within the timelines specified in the report. You must
submit your statement of assurance to Darlene Lynch, Director, Program Quality Assurance
Services, by August 5, 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 Paul J. Aguiar at 781338-3781.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Aguiar, 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
Kimberley Driscoll, Chairperson School Committee
Margaret Marotta, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Salem Public Schools
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 19-20, 2011
Date of this Report: July 20, 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

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
PI
Student
Records
The review of district
documentation indicated
that at the time of the
review, the district had
recently established
procedures that met ESE
requirements based on
the Administrative
Advisory SPED 2011-1
issued by the
Department. However,
the student records
indicated that the district
Interviews
Document
Review
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system to ensure that parents
and students are informed
one year prior to the student
reaching age 18 of the
student’s rights upon turning
18, as well as the procedures
once students turn 18. The
district must also ensure that
the IEP developed for the 17
year old student includes a
statement that the student
Submit a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system and
indicate the person(s) responsible by
November 1, 2011.
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 1 of 25
Provide evidence of training. Include
the agenda, signed attendance sheets
indicating the title/role of the staff
attending as well as the name and
title of the presenter. This progress
report is due by November 1, 2011.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
did not always inform
the student or the parents
in a timely manner (i.e.
one year prior to
reaching the age of 18)
of the student’s future
educational decision
making rights.
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
and parent have been
informed of the student’s
rights upon reaching the age
of majority. The tracking
system should include
supervisory oversight and
periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
Submit the results of the review of
student records. Indicate the number
of student records reviewed, the
number of student records in
compliance, for all records not in
compliance with this criterion,
determine the root cause(s) of the
noncompliance and provide the
school’s plan to remedy the
noncompliance. Please provide this
progress report by January 6, 2012.
Provide the staff responsible
for implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system with training
on the requirements of this
standard. Please see
Administrative Advisory
SPED 2011-1.
Subsequent to the
completion of all corrective
actions, conduct an internal
review of five records of
students who have recently
turned 17 to ensure that the
school always informs the
student and the parents of the
transfer of rights at the age of
majority and that it is
documented. Please ensure
that the sample of selected
records examine activities
that occurred after the district
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 2 of 25
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
completed its corrective
action activities.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that school
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters

Interviews
Document
Review
The review of district
documentation indicated
that at the time of the
review, there were no
students currently
enrolled who would
require an interpreter;
however, should such
students enroll, the
district will employ an
educational interpreter
registered with the
Massachusetts
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 3 of 25
(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
Commission for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing.
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
Criterion
Implemented

SE 1

Assessments
are
appropriately
selected and
interpreted
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Student
Records
The review of student
records and staff
interviews determined
that the district used
current student data
and information to
appropriately select
Interviews
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 4 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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
assessments for the
initial identification of
students.
SE 2
Required and
Optional
Assessments
PI
Student
Records
The review of student
records determined
that the district
assessed students in all
areas of the suspected
disability. However,
the review of student
records also indicated
that not all required
educational
assessments
(Educational Status
Assessment B) are
documented in the
record.
Complete the missing
required assessments for
those individual students
identified by the Department.
After receiving consent from
the parents, if consent had
not been previously received,
reconvene the IEP Teams to
review the results of the
assessments and determine
whether the individual
student’s current IEP is
appropriate.
Develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system to ensure that all
required assessments are
conducted for initial and reevaluations. The tracking
system should include
supervisory oversight and
periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
Provide training to staff
responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 5 of 25
For individual students identified by
the Department as missing required
assessments, provide copies of the
assessments, the Meeting Invitation
(N-3) as well as either the Notice of
Action (N-1) or the Notice of School
District Refusal to Act (N-2) as
evidence that the IEP Teams
reconvened and reviewed the
assessment results. This progress
report is due by November 1, 2011.
Provide a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system and
indicate the person(s) responsible for
oversight by November 1, 2011.
Provide evidence of training. Please
include an agenda, signed attendance
sheets indicating the title/role of staff
as well as the name and title of the
presenter. This progress report is due
by November 1, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of the
internal review of student records.
Indicate the number of student
records reviewed, the number of
student records in compliance, for all
records not in compliance, please
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
tracking system.
Conduct an internal review
of ten student records of
initial or re-evaluations
completed subsequent to the
completion of all corrective
actions for required
assessments, specifically
Educational Status
Assessment B.
Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 3
Determination
of specific
learning
disability

Student
Records
Interviews
The review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated
that the district
develops a written
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 6 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
identify the root cause(s) of the
noncompliance and provide the
actions taken to remedy the
noncompliance. This progress report
is due by January 6, 2012.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
determination related
to identified specific
learning disabilities
and that written
determinations are
signed by IEP Team
members.
SE 6

Transition
Planning
Student
Records
Interviews
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and
attendance

Student
Records
Interviews
Document
Review
The review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated
that the district is
annually discussing a
student’s transition
needs at age fourteen
and that IEP Teams are
annually updating the
Transition Planning
form.
Staff interviews and a
review of district
documentation
indicated that school
staff understand who
has the authority to
commit school district
resources.
Additionally, the
review of student
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 7 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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 indicated that
those on the district’s
list of who could
commit resources
attended IEP Team
meetings.
SE 9
Timeline for
determination
of eligibility
and provision
of
documentation
to parent
PI
Student
Records
Interviews
The review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated
that the district did not
always complete initial
evaluation assessments
and re-evaluations
within the 30-day
mandated timeline nor
did they provide the
proposed IEP and
placement to the parent
within the 45-day
mandated timeline for
assessing the student,
holding a meeting and
making the eligibility
determination.
Examine the root cause(s) of
the delay in the completion
of consented to assessments,
the determination of
eligibility and the provision
of a proposed IEP or a
written explanation of the
finding of no eligibility to
parents within 45 school
working days. Please review
a sample of initial
evaluations from the past
school year from each
building and examine the
causes that resulted in
missing the timelines. The
district must indicate the
corrective action steps
initiated to address the
identified causes of
noncompliance.
Develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system to ensure compliance
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 8 of 25
Submit a detailed narrative
description of the root cause(s) of
the noncompliance and the steps the
district has taken to address those
issues including timelines. Also,
submit a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system.
Please identify the person(s)
responsible for oversight of these
activities. This progress report is due
by November 1, 2011.
Provide evidence of training to staff.
Include the agenda, signed
attendance sheets, indicating
title/role of staff and the name and
title of the presenter by November
1, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of the
internal review of student records.
Indicate the number of student
records reviewed, the number of
student records in compliance, for all
records not in compliance, please
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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
with the timelines required
by regulation. The tracking
system should include
supervisory oversight and
periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
Provide training to staff
responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system.
identify the root cause(s) of the
noncompliance and provide the
actions taken to remedy the
noncompliance. This progress report
is due by January 6, 2012.
The district must conduct an
internal review of ten student
records from throughout the
district for initial or reevaluations conducted after
the completion of all
corrective actions for timely
completion of evaluations,
eligibility determinations
and issuing of IEPs or
findings of no eligibility.
* Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that the district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 9 of 25
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 9A

Interviews
Staff interviews
indicated that all
district staff may
consider, write or
implement 504 Plans
for students who may
not be eligible for
special education
services but have a
disability and require
accommodations.

Student
Records
The review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated
that school staff
members conduct
reevaluations in a
timely manner. The
review of student
records and interviews
indicated that the
district implements reevaluation procedures
in all cases where it is
suspected that a
student is no longer
Elements of
Eligibility
Determination
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation
Interviews
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 10 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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
eligible for special
education services.
SE 14
Review and
Revision of
IEPs
PI
Student
Records
Interviews
A review of student
records indicated that
the district is holding
annual IEP Team
meetings on or before
the anniversary date of
the IEP. However, the
review of student
records and staff
interviews also
indicated the
procedural misuse of
amendments for a
change in placement.
The district must analyze the
root cause of the
noncompliance, i.e. why are
amendments being used for a
change in placement and
develop the appropriate
corrective action which
should include an internal
oversight and tracking
system to ensure that
amendments are used
appropriately by reviewing a
sample of amendments from
the past school year from
each building. The tracking
system should include
supervisory oversight and
periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
The district must provide
training to staff responsible
for implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system, as well as
training on the appropriate
use of amendments.
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 11 of 25
Submit a detailed narrative
description of the root cause(s) of
the noncompliance and the steps the
district has taken to address those
issues including timelines. Also,
submit a description of the oversight
and tracking system. Please identify
the person(s) responsible for
oversight of these activities. This
progress report is due by November
1, 2011.
Provide evidence of training.
Include the agenda, signed
attendance sheets, indicating
title/role of staff and the name and
title of the presenter by November
1, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of the
internal review of student records.
Indicate the number of student
records reviewed, the number of
student records in compliance, for all
records not in compliance, please
identify the root cause(s) of the
noncompliance and provide the
actions taken to remedy the
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
The district must conduct an
internal review of records of
five students whose IEP’s
had been amended
subsequent to the district’s
implementation of all
corrective action activities to
determine if it is compliant
with the requirements of this
criterion.
Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 18A
IEP
Development
and Content

Student
Records
Interviews
The review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated
that the district’s
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 12 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
noncompliance. This progress report
is due by January 6, 2012.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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
representatives are
signing the proposed
IEPs before the district
issues the IEP to
parents.
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
provision of
IEP to parent
PI
Student
Records
Interviews
The review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated
that the district did not
always provide the
parent with the
proposed IEP
immediately following
its development.
The district must examine
the root cause(s) of the delay
in the provision of the
proposed IEP and placement
to parents by reviewing a
sample of annual reviews,
initial evaluations and reevaluations from the past
school year from each
building. The district must
indicate the corrective action
steps initiated to address the
identified causes of
noncompliance.
Subsequent to its analysis,
the district must develop an
internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure
that the district provides the
parent with two copies of the
proposed IEP and placement
along with the required
notice “immediately”
following the development
of the IEP. The tracking
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 13 of 25
Submit a detailed narrative
description of the root cause(s) of
the noncompliance and the steps the
district has taken to address those
issues including timelines. Also,
submit a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system.
Please identify the person(s)
responsible for oversight of these
activities. This progress report is due
by November 1, 2011.
Provide evidence of training.
Include the agenda, signed
attendance sheets, indicating
title/role of staff and the name and
title of the presenter by November
1, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of the
review of student records. Indicate
the number of student records
reviewed, the number of student
records in compliance, for all
records not in compliance, please
identify the root cause(s) of the
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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
system should include
supervisory oversight and
periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
noncompliance and provide the
actions taken to remedy the
noncompliance. This progress report
is due by January 6, 2012.
Provide training to staff
responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system which
should be based on the
Department’s December
2006 advisory found at:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/n
ews/news.asp?id=3182
The district must conduct an
internal review of fifteen
student records from
throughout the district for
annual reviews, initial
evaluations or re-evaluations
conducted after the district
implemented all corrective
actions to determine
compliance with the
“immediate” provision of the
IEP and placement to
parents.
Please note when
conducting internal
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 14 of 25
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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
monitoring that the district
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 19
Extended
Evaluations
PI
Student
Records
Interviews
The review of student
records and staff
interviews indicated
that some staff
members do not
understand the
extended evaluation
process and
procedures. The review
of student records
indicated that extended
evaluations were
sometimes used to add
services, shorten a
student’s day and to
conduct evaluations in
lieu of a consent form
for assessments.
The district must analyze the
root cause of the
noncompliance, i.e. why are
extended evaluations used to
add services, shorten a
student’s day and to
complete evaluations in lieu
of a consent form for
assessments that were part of
a student’s re-evaluation.
The district must develop an
internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure
that extended evaluations
are used appropriately by
reviewing a sample of
evaluations from the past
school year from each
building. The tracking
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 15 of 25
Submit a detailed narrative
description of the root cause(s) of
the noncompliance and the steps the
district has taken to address those
issues including timelines. Submit a
description of the internal oversight
and tracking system. Please identify
the person(s) responsible for
oversight of these activities. This
progress report is due by November
1, 2011.
Provide evidence of training. Include
the agenda, signed attendance sheets,
indicating the title/role of staff and
the name and title of the presenter by
November 1, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of an
internal review of student records.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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
system should include
supervisory oversight and
periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
Indicate the number of student
records reviewed, the number of
student records in compliance, for all
records not in compliance, please
identify the root cause(s) of the
noncompliance and provide the
actions taken to remedy the
noncompliance. This progress report
is due by January 6, 2012.
The district must provide
staff responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system with training
on the appropriate use of
extended evaluations.
The district must conduct an
internal review of records of
student records where
extended evaluations were
conducted subsequent to the
district’s implementation of
all corrective actions to
determine if it is compliant
with the requirements of this
criterion.
Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that school
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 16 of 25
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 20

Least
restrictive
program
selected
SE 22
IEP
Implementati
on and
Availability
Interviews
Document
Review

Interviews
Document
Review
Staff interviews and a
review of district
documentation
indicated that special
education high school
students were
receiving special
education support as
specified in the
individual student
IEPs.
Staff interviews
indicated that one-toone paraprofessional
aides are available as
specified on student
IEPs. Staff interviews
indicated that there
were procedures to
inform general
education staff of their
specific
responsibilities related
to the implementation
of student IEPs. Staff
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 17 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
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
interviews and the
review of district
documentation
indicated that the
school district does not
delay implementation
of the IEP due to lack
of classroom space or
personnel, provided as
many of the services
on the accepted IEP as
possible and when
necessary, immediately
informed parents in
writing of any delayed
services, reasons for
delay, actions that the
school district is taking
to address the lack of
space or personnel and
offered alternative
methods to meet the
goals on the accepted
IEP.
SE 25
Parental
Consent
PI
Student
Records
Interviews
The review of student
records indicated that
while consent forms
are signed, either
required or completed
assessments are not
always indicated on the
consent form or not all
Complete the missing
consented-to assessments for
those individual students
identified by the Department.
Reconvene IEP Teams to
review the results of the
assessments and determine
whether the individual
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 18 of 25
For individual students identified by
the Department as missing
assessments, provide copies of the
assessments, the Meeting Invitation
(N-3) as well as either the Notice of
Action (N-1) or the Notice of School
District Refusal to Act (N-2) as
evidence that the IEP Teams
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
the assessments that
are on the form are
administered.
student’s current IEP is
appropriate.
The district must analyze the
root cause of the
noncompliance, i.e. why
required assessments are not
always indicated on the
consent form and why all the
assessments that are on the
consent form are not always
administered. Develop the
appropriate corrective action
which should include an
internal oversight and
tracking system to ensure
that all required and all
consented-to evaluations are
completed by reviewing a
sample of evaluations from
the past school year from
each building. The tracking
system should include
supervisory oversight and
periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
Provide training to staff
responsible for
implementation of the
internal oversight and
tracking system.
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 19 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
reconvened and reviewed the
assessment results by November 1,
2011.
Submit a detailed narrative
description of the root cause(s) of
the noncompliance and the steps the
district has taken to address those
issues including timelines. Also,
submit a description of the internal
oversight and tracking system based
on the specific corrective actions the
district took to resolve the identified
issues. Please identify the person(s)
responsible for oversight of these
activities. This progress report is due
by November 1, 2011.
Provide evidence of training to staff
that are responsible for maintaining
the tracking system and ensuring the
completion of assessments. Include
the agenda, signed attendance sheets
and indicate title/role of staff and the
name and title of the presenter by
November 1, 2011.
Submit a report of the results of an
internal review of student records.
Indicate the number of student
records reviewed, the number of
student records in compliance, for all
records not in compliance, please
identify the root cause(s) of the
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
Conduct an internal review
of ten student records from
different levels where either
initial or reevaluations were
conducted subsequent to the
implementation of all
corrective actions.
Please note when
conducting internal
monitoring that school
must maintain the
following documentation
and make it available to the
Department upon request:
a) List of the student names
and grade level for the
records reviewed; b) Date
of the review; c) Name of
person(s) who conducted
the review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
SE 29
Communicati
on is in
English and
primary
language of
home

Student
Records
Interviews
Document
Review
Staff interviews, the
review of student
records and the review
of district
documentation
indicated that
communications with
parents are in both
English and the
primary language of
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 20 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
noncompliance and provide the
actions taken to remedy the
noncompliance. This progress report
is due by January 6, 2012.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
the home, if such
primary language is
other than English.
SE 34

Continuum of
Alternative
Services
SE 40
SE 41
Interviews
Document
Review

Instructional
grouping
requirements
for students
aged five and
older
Age Span
Requirements
PI
Interviews
Document
Review

Interviews
Document
Review
Staff interviews and
the review of district
documentation
indicated that the
district ensures that a
continuum of services
and alternative
placements is available
to meet the needs of all
students with
disabilities.
A review of district
documents
demonstrated that all
Salem Prep groupings
are within the range of
state regulations
required under 603
CMR 28.06(6).
Staff interviews and a
review of district
documentation
demonstrated that at
the time of the review,
the ages of the
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 21 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
youngest and oldest
student at the Life
Skills class at Salem
High School does not
differ by more than 48
months.
SE 48

Equal
Opportunity
to Participate
in
Educational,
Nonacademic
, Extracurricular and
Ancillary
Programs, as
well as
Participation
in Regular
Education
SE 49
Interviews
Document
Review

Interviews
The review of district
documentation and
interviews of district
staff indicated that all
students receiving
special education,
regardless of
placement, have an
equal opportunity to
participate in and, if
appropriate, receive
credit for the
vocational, supportive,
or remedial services
that may be available
as part of the general
education program as
well as the nonacademic and
extracurricular
programs of the
school.
Staff interviews
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 22 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Related
Services
SE 53

PI

Professional
Development
SE 55
Special
Education
Facilities and
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
indicated that all
related services
required are provided
as indicated on the
IEP.
Interviews
Interviews with special
education staff
indicated that at the
Bowditch and Bentley
elementary schools,
paraprofessional staff
members do not design
instruction and have
consultation time with
special education
teachers.
Interviews
The review of district
documentation and
staff interviews
confirmed that the
district provided the
required training to
regular education and
special education staff.
Use of
Paraprofessio
nals
SE 54
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Document
Review
PI
Interviews
On-Site
Observa-
Observation of special
education facilities at
the Collins Middle
School indicated that
The district must develop a
plan that indicates one of the
following options as
discussed with district
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 23 of 25
Please submit a letter signed by the
Superintendent indicating the option
the district will pursue for the Salem
Prep therapeutic program by August
Criterion
Classrooms
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
tions
there is a clustering of
five Salem Prep
substantially separate
therapeutic classrooms
belonging to the high
school which do not
maximize the inclusion
of such students into
the life of the high
school since the
classrooms are isolated
from the regular
education population at
Salem High School.
representatives:
The review team also
observed that at
Witchcraft Heights
Elementary the
PDD/Autism
classrooms have access
to inclusion with
typical peers during the
school day.
1. Move the students at
Salem Prep, currently located
at the Collins Middle School,
back to the district’s high
school and integrate their
instructional spaces into the
high school consistent with
the requirements of state
regulation.
2. The district could also
choose to apply for approval
to operate a public day
school. If the district elects to
seek approval to operate a
public day school, the district
should be aware that the
current placements of the
students currently within the
Salem Prep program indicate
the need for a substantially
separate classroom, and the
district could not unilaterally
place these students into a
day school placement. Each
student’s IEP team would
need to reconvene to
determine the IEP needs of
each student, determine the
corresponding IEP placement
and obtain parental consent.
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 24 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
5, 2011.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

SE 56

Special
Education
Programs and
Services are
Evaluated
Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s)
of
Investigati
on
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
Interviews
The review of district
documentation
indicated that the
special education
programs and services
are regularly evaluated.
Document
Review
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and Timelines for
Implementation
Salem Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 20, 2011
Page 25 of 25
(b) Progress Report Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Salem Public Schools
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