Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
July 6, 2010
Dr. Mary Ellen Johnson, Superintendent
Sandwich Public School District
365 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, Suite A
Sandwich, MA 02537
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Johnson:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report based on
the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district in May 2010. In this 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 found one or more of the criteria monitored in your district to be “Partially
Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where noncompliance has been 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 July 22, 2010.
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 Susan D.
Nichols at (781) 338-3722.
Sincerely,
Susan D. Nichols, 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
Sherry Marshall, School Committee Chairperson
Merle Montani, Local Program Review Coordinator
Paul C. Hilton, Director, Cape Cod Collaborative
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Sandwich Public School District
Date of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: May 4, 2010
Date of this Report: July 6, 2010
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 3
Special
requirements
for the
determination
of a specific
learning
disability
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
PI
Student Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
In determining eligibility due to a
specific learning disability, the
required documentation for
Component 3: Exclusionary
Factors (SLD 3) and Component
4: Observation (SLD 4) was not
consistently completed for all
records. In addition, the Specific
Learning Disability, Team
Determination of Eligibility form
(28M/10) was not always signed
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
Train staff on the special
requirements for determination
of a specific learning disability,
including the completion of the
specific learning disability
eligibility process forms.
Develop an internal oversight
and tracking system to ensure
that Teams appropriately
complete all of the specific
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 1 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
By September 30,
2010, submit an
agenda, signed
attendance sheets
(indicating role of
staff) and training
materials for staff
training on the
requirements for
eligibility
determination of a
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
by any or all Team members, as
to whether or not the student had
a specific learning disability, or if
there was a disagreement as to
the determination, one or more
Team members did not document
their disagreement.
If Partially Implemented or
Not Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for
Implementation
learning disability eligibility
process forms.
Develop a report of the internal
review of student records
regarding the special
requirements for determination
of a specific learning disability.
* 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
levels for the records
reviewed; b) Date of the
review; c) Name of person(s)
who conducted the review,
their role(s), and
signature(s).
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 2 of 13
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
specific learning
disability. Also
submit the
description of the
internal oversight
and tracking
system.
By January 24,
2011, submit a
report of the
internal review of
records of students
suspected of
having a specific
learning disability
and who have
been evaluated
since the training.
Include the
following:
 Number of
records
reviewed;
 Number of
records that
included
appropriate
documentation
for the
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
determination
of a specific
learning
disability;
 Description of
the root causes
for any noncompliance
found; and
 Specific actions
taken by the
district to
remedy any
noncompliance.
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters

Documentation
While the district does not
currently have any students who
require the services of an
educational interpreter, the
district has procedures for
ensuring that all providers of
interpreting services for students
who are deaf or hard of hearing
employed or contracted with by
the district are registered with the
Massachusetts Commission for
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 3 of 13
SE
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 6
Determination of
transition services
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
PI
Documentation
A review of student records
indicated that the school
district is inviting students 14
years of age and older to
attend Team meetings when
the purpose of the meeting is
to discuss transition services.
However, not all records
included completed
Transition Planning Forms,
and the Transition Planning
Forms were not updated
annually.
Interviews
Student Records
If Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Provide training to all
Team chairpersons and
staff responsible for
the determination of
transition services on
ensuring that
Transition Planning
Forms are
appropriately
completed and updated
annually.
Develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system for ensuring
that Transition
Planning Forms
include all information
and are updated
annually.
Conduct an internal
review, post-training,
of a random selection
of records of students
14 years of age and
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 4 of 13
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
By September, 30,
2010, submit an
agenda, signed
attendance sheets
(indicating role of
staff) and training
materials for staff
training on the
requirements for
determination of
transition services,
including completing
and updating the
Transition Planning
Form. Also submit the
description of the
internal oversight and
tracking system.
By January 24, 2011,
submit a report of the
internal review of
records in which the
student is at least 14
years of age and a
Team meeting was
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
older to determine that
Transition Planning
Forms are completed
and updated annually.
* 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 levels 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 7
Transfer of
parental rights at
age of majority and
student
participation and
consent at age of

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
One year prior to the student
reaching age 18, the district
is documenting in the IEP
that the student has been
informed of his or her right
at age 18 to make all
decisions in relation to
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 5 of 13
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
held after the staff
training. Include the
following:
 Number of records
reviewed;
 Number of records
with completed and
updated Transition
Planning Forms;
 Description of the
root causes for any
noncompliance
found; and
 Specific actions
taken by the district
to remedy any
noncompliance.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
If Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
special education programs
and services.
majority
SE 12
Frequency of reevaluation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
PI
Interviews
Student Records
The district does not
consistently conduct a full
re-evaluation every three
years and is using IEP
amendments to extend the
date of the IEP in order to
complete an overdue reevaluation.
Provide training to all
Team chairpersons on
the requirements of
conducting reevaluations every three
years, unless the parent
and district agree that
it is unnecessary.
Indicate to staff that
IEP amendments may
not be used to extend
the dates of an IEP
because the three-year
re-evaluation is
overdue.
Develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system for ensuring
that re-evaluations are
conducted every three
years. The tracking
system should include
supervisory oversight
at the school level and
periodic reviews to
ensure compliance.
Develop a report of an
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 6 of 13
By September 30,
2010, submit an
agenda, signed
attendance sheets
(indicating role of
staff) and training
materials for training
on the requirements of
conducting reevaluations every
three years, unless the
parent and district
agree that it is
unnecessary. Also
submit a description of
the internal oversight
and tracking system.
By January 24, 2011,
submit a report of the
internal review of
records in which a reevaluation was
conducted since the
training. Include the
following:
 Number of records
reviewed;
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
internal review of
records in which reevaluations were
conducted after the
training to determine
compliance with
ensuring that the
district conducts reevaluations every three
years.
* 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 levels 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 13
Progress reports

Interviews
Parents of students attending
the Cape Cod Collaborative
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 7 of 13
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
 Number of records
with a re-evaluation
conducted every
three years unless
the parent and the
district agree that it
is unnecessary;
 Description of the
root causes for any
noncompliance
found; and
 Specific actions
taken by the district
to remedy any
noncompliance.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
and content
Student Records
(Cape Cod
Collaborative)
SE 14
Review and
revision of IEPs
PI
Interviews
Student Records
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
programs located in the
Sandwich Public Schools are
receiving progress reports on
a quarterly schedule and are
informed of the progress
towards reaching the goals
set in the IEP at least as often
as parents are informed of
the progress of non-disabled
students.
A Team meeting is not
always held on or before the
anniversary date of the IEP
to consider the student’s
progress and to review,
revise or develop a new IEP.
Develop an internal
oversight and tracking
system for ensuring
that annual review
Team meetings are
conducted on or before
the anniversary date of
the IEP. The tracking
system should include
supervisory oversight
at the school level and
periodic reviews to
ensure compliance.
Develop a report of an
internal review of
records to ensure that
annual review Team
meetings are
conducted on or before
the anniversary date of
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 8 of 13
By September 30,
2010, submit a
description of the
internal oversight and
tracking system for
ensuring that annual
review Team meetings
are conducted on or
before the anniversary
date of the IEP.
By January 24, 2011,
submit a report of the
internal review of
records for annual
reviews conducted
since development of
the tracking system.
Include the following:
 Number of records
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 IEP.
* 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 levels 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 24
Notice to parent
regarding proposal
or refusal to
initiate or change
the identification,
evaluation, or
educational
placement of the
PI
Interviews
Student Records
The district does not
consistently complete the
Notice of Proposed School
District Action (N1 form).
Although the district
provides the N1 form to
parents, the district does not
always respond to the six
questions, consistent with
Provide training to all
Team chairpersons and
staff responsible for
providing written
notice on responding
to all six questions on
the N1 form.
Develop an internal
oversight and tracking
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 9 of 13
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
reviewed;
 Number of records
with annual reviews
conducted on or
before the
anniversary date of
the IEP;
 Description of the
root causes for any
noncompliance
found; and
 Specific actions
taken by the district
to remedy any
noncompliance.
By September 30,
2010, submit an
agenda, signed
attendance sheets
(indicating role of
staff) and training
materials for staff
training on the
requirements for
completing the N1
Criterion
child or the
provision of FAPE
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
federal requirements, on
page 2 of the form.
If Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
system for ensuring
that all N1 forms
address all required
information. The
tracking system
should include
supervisory oversight
at the school level and
periodic reviews to
ensure compliance.
Develop a report of an
internal review of
records, post-training,
to ensure that the
narrative descriptions
in the N1 forms are
complete.
* 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 levels for
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 10 of 13
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
form. Also submit the
description of the
internal oversight and
tracking system.
By January 24, 2011,
submit a report of the
internal review of
records in which an
N1 form was
completed after the
training. Include the
following:
 Number of records
reviewed;
 Number of records
which included a
detailed description
responding to all six
questions on the N1
form;
 Description of the
root causes for any
noncompliance
found; and
 Specific actions
taken by the district
to remedy any
noncompliance.
SE
Criterion
SE 29
Communications
are in English &
primary language
of home
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for special
education
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews

Student Records
PI
Documentation
Interviews
Basis of Determination
about Criterion
If Partially
Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required
Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
the records reviewed;
b) Date of the review;
c) Name of person(s)
who conducted the
review, their role(s),
and signature(s).
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Communications are
provided in the primary
language of the home if the
primary language is other
than English.
While the district has an
active special education
parent advisory council
(PAC), the PAC has not
participated in the planning,
development and evaluation
of the district’s special
education programs.
Develop a plan to
include the school
district’s PAC in the
planning, development
and evaluation of the
district’s special
education programs.
By September 30,
2010, submit a plan to
include the school
district’s PAC in the
planning, development
and evaluation of the
district’s special
education programs.
By January 24, 2011,
submit documentation
evidencing the steps
taken thus far to
ensure PAC
participation in the
planning, development
and evaluation of the
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 11 of 13
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
district’s special
education programs.
Documentation may
include PAC and
school committee
meeting agendas and
minutes.
SE 39A
Procedures used to
provide services to
eligible students
enrolled in private
schools at private
expense whose
parents reside in
the district

SE 51
Appropriate
special education
teacher licensure

SE 54
Professional
development

Documentation
Interviews
Student Records
Documentation
Interviews
Documentation
Interviews
While there are no special
education students enrolled
in private schools at private
expense whose parents reside
in the district, the district has
procedures in place to
calculate the proportionate
share of Federal Special
Education Entitlement Funds
if the need arises.
The special education
teachers at the high school
are appropriately licensed.
The district is providing
training for staff in analyzing
and accommodating the
diverse learning styles of
students in the regular
classroom, as well as in
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 12 of 13
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
methods of collaboration
among teachers,
paraprofessionals and teacher
assistants to accommodate
diverse learning styles of all
students in the general
education classroom.
SE 56
Special education
programs and
services are
evaluated

Documentation
Interviews
The school district regularly
evaluates its special
education programs and
services.
Sandwich Public School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 6, 2010
Page 13 of 13
(b) Progress Report
Due Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Sandwich 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