The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Education
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
July 15, 2005
John Kosko
Superintendent of Schools
South Shore Vocational Technical High School
476 Webster Street
Hanover, MA 02339
Re:
Onsite Follow-up Monitoring Report: Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action
Plan Verification and Special Education Mid-cycle Review
Dear Superintendent Kosko:
Enclosed is the Department's Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Monitoring Report
together with findings regarding your district’s Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Review.
This report contains the Department's findings based on the onsite activities conducted in your
school district to verify the implementation status and effectiveness of corrective steps taken in
response to your Coordinated Program Review Report issued on July 29, 2005.
While the Department of Education found certain noncompliance issues to be resolved, others
were partially corrected, not addressed at all and/or new issues were identified by the
Department’s onsite team
As the Department previously informed you, in cases where a district fails to fully and
effectively implement a Corrective Action Plan, which was proposed by your district and
approved by the Department, the Department must then prepare a Corrective Action Plan for the
district, which must be implemented without further delay. You will find these requirements for
corrective action and further progress reporting included in the attached report together with any
steps that must be taken by the district to fully implement new special education requirements.
Please provide the Department with your written assurance that the Department's requirements
for corrective action will be implemented by your school district within the timelines specified.
Your statement of assurance must be submitted to the Department's Onsite Chairperson by July
29, 2005.
Your staff's cooperation throughout these Follow-up Monitoring activities is appreciated.
Should you require additional clarification of information included in our report, please do not
hesitate to contact the Onsite Team Chairperson at 781-338-3714.
Sincerely,
Nancy S. Hicks, Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
John D. Stager, Administrator
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Robert Molla, School Committee Chairperson
Pamela Titus, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Maureen Francis, Director of Special Education
Encl.: Follow-up Monitoring Report
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Action Plan Submitted on October 21, 2002
Progress Reports Submitted on January 29, 2003 and May 28, 2003
Onsite Visit Conducted on May 25, 2005 and May 27, 2005
Date of this Report: July 15, 2005
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Special
Education
Requirements
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented

Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 3
Special
requirements
for
determination
of specific
learning
disabilities
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Partially
Implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
The record review
indicated that the district
used the form when the
primary disability was not
SLD. The form would
only be used for initial and
three-year reevaluations;
however, the district used
By October 14, 2005, the
district must submit a
description of the district’s
procedures regarding the use of
the form to certify the Team’s
finding that a student has a
specific learning disability. No
sooner than January 4, 2006,
the Department of Education
will conduct a record review to
confirm that the certification
that a student has a SLD is
correctly documented in
conjunction with an evaluation
as required.

Documentation,
Records, and
Interviews
A form was used to document
the certification of the Team’s
finding that a student has a
specific learning disability.
Partially
Implemented
the form annually as
standard practice for any
disability.
2
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 6
Determination
of transition
services
(Emphasis on
practices in
determining
needed
transition
planning and
services and
consideration of
courses of study
related to
needed
transition)
SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Partially
Implemented
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting

Documentation,
Records, and
Interviews
The anticipated graduation date
was included in the IEP.
Partially
Implemented
Student records indicated that
students were consistently
invited to Team meetings and
they most often attended.
Student input was noted on the
vision statement of the IEP.
Partially
Implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Documentation,
Records, and
Interviews
Progress reports were written
on a form that included the IEP
goal. Some progress reports
contained specific information
regarding the progress that was
made on an annual goal and
indicated if the progress was
3
Partially
Implemented
Post secondary transitional
planning was not included
in IEPs of students. The
correlation between the
student’s vision and longterm goals and the IEP
goals and objectives was
not expressed. Interviews
indicated that the district
provided many transitional
supports but they are not
documented in the IEP.
No sooner than January 4,
2006, the Department of
Education will
conduct a record review to
determine that transitional
elements of the IEP are
correctly documented.
Student records indicated
that progress reports did
not all contain specific
information.
No sooner than January 4,
2006, the Department of
Education will
conduct a record review to
determine:
 That progress reports
contain specific
When the district indicated
that there was a lack of
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting

sufficient for the student to
achieve the goal by the end of
the IEP period.
4
progress on a goal, there
was no documentation of
action taken by the district
to address the issue.

information on goals.
That when a progress
report indicates a lack
of progress, there is
documentation of the
action taken by the
district to address the
issue.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 15
Outreach by the
School District
(Child Find)
SE 17
Initiation of
services at age
three and Early
Intervention
transition
procedures
SE 18A
IEP
development
and content
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
The record review
indicated that goals were
not always measurable.
No sooner than January 4,
2006, the Department of
Education will
conduct a record review to
determine:
 That IEPs contain
measurable goals.
 That the PLEP B page
of the IEP is completed
appropriately.

Interviews


Partially
Implemented
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Interviews indicated that the
district used test results and
teacher recommendations to
identify a student who may
need special education
services.
Not Applicable. The district
provides services to students in
grades 9-12 only.
Documentation,
Records, and
Interviews
The record review indicated
that the Team developed an
IEP using a standard form and
it was written in generally
understandable language.
5
Partially
Implemented
The PLEB B page of the
IEP was not often
completed. IEPs did not
include age specific
considerations. Behavior
and social emotional
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

considerations were not
checked when it was clear
that these were student
needs.
6
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 18B
Determination
of placement;
immediate
provision of
IEP to parent
SE 20
Least restrictive
program
selected
SE 22
IEP
implementation
and availability
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified





Documentation,
Records, and
Interviews
Documentation,
Records, and
Interviews
Documentation,
Records, and
Interviews
After the development of the
IEP, the Team determined the
placement of the student. The
record review indicated that the
IEP was most often provided to
the parent within three to five
days of the Team meeting.
Interviews and records
indicated that the school
consistently selected a
placement that was in the least
restrictive environment
consistent with the needs of the
student. Class size was
consistently small and there
were many Team taught
classes or classes taught by
teachers certified in both
regular and special education.
Records and interviews
indicated that the IEP and
services were implemented
immediately. School personnel
7
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
(Emphasis on
provision of
IEP services
without delay;
provision of the
IEP at the
beginning of the
school year;
and, alternative
methods of
service delivery
where there is a
lack of space
and/or
personnel))
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


all were provided with a copy
of the IEP at the beginning of
the school year.
8
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 26
Parent
participation in
meetings
(Emphasis on
district’s
attempts to
ensure parent
participation at
IEP Team
meetings)
SE 28
Parent provided
the IEP or
notice of no
eligibility
together with
notification of
procedural
safeguards and
parents' rights
SE 29
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Partially
Implemented

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Documentation indicated
that 47% of the Team
meetings held over a threemonth period did not have
a parent present.
By October 14, 2005, the
district must submit a plan to
improve parent participation in
Team meetings.

Documentation and
Interviews
Documentation and
Interviews
Documentation indicated that
parents who did not attend
Team meetings were involved
in alternate ways. Conference
calls were often used to
involve parents in the Team
process. Efforts to involve the
parent would be appropriately
documented under Additional
Information in the IEP.
The district did not have any
student records with a finding
of no eligibility.
Documentation indicated that
the required notice would be
provided.
The school did not have any
9
Partially
Implemented
No sooner than January 4,
2006, the Department of
Education will conduct a
record review to monitor
parent participation in Team
meetings.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Communications are in
English and
primary
language of
home
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Documentation and
Interviews
students whose primary
language of home was not
English. The district has
developed procedures that
would ensure that documents
would be translated if required
and that interpreters would be
provided for parents if needed.
10
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 32
Parent advisory
council for
special
education
SE 50
Responsibilities
of the School
Principal and
Administrator
of Special
Education
SE 54
Professional
development
regarding
special
education
SE 56
Special
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified



Documentation and
Interviews

Documentation and
Interviews

Documentation and
Interviews
Documentation and
The district had a parent
advisory council for special
education that met
requirements.
The principal with the
assistance of the Administrator
of Special Education
coordinated the delivery and
supervision of special
education services within the
school building. Services were
provided as required for
students at home or in the
hospital.
Training has been provided in
the required topics.
The district evaluated the
effectiveness of their special
11
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
education
programs and
services are
evaluated
Other
Requirements
SE 1
Assessments
SE 2
Required and
Optional
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting

Interviews
Partially
Implemented
Record
Review
Partially
Record
Review and
education program based on
information on student success.
Input from staff members was
considered as well as the drop
out and graduation rates.
The record review indicated
that counseling needs were
included on students’ IEPs.
Partially
Implemented
Educational assessments
provided information regarding
a student’s ability in relation to
12
Partially
Assessments were not
always tailored to assess
specific areas of
educational need. When a
student has a suspected
emotional disability,
emotional needs were not
consistently evaluated.
For the three-year
reevaluation, the
assessment tools were not
No sooner than January 4,
2006, the Department of
Education will conduct a
record review to determine:
 That assessments are
tailored to address
specific areas of
educational need.
 That students’
behavioral and
emotional needs are
evaluated when
required.
No sooner than January 4,
2006, the Department of
Education will
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Assessments
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Implemented
SE 24
Parent Notice
Interviews
the learning standards of
Massachusetts Curriculum
Frameworks and the district
curriculum.
Record
Review
The notice to parent contained
all required elements. Page 2
of the IEP Form N1 was
included when notice was sent
to parents and all questions
were addressed.
The district consistently
obtained parent consent before
completing an evaluation.
Record
Review
Partially
Implemented
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
always tailored to the area
of educational need.
Educational assessments
did not include a history of
the student’s educational
progress in the general
curriculum.
conduct a record review to
determine that assessment tools
are tailored to the area of
educational need and that the
Educational Assessments
include a history of the
student’s progress in the
general curriculum.
Parent consent forms were
not always consistent with
the actual assessments that
were administered.
Frequently parents
consented to assessments
that were not completed.
No sooner than January 4,
2006, the Department of
Education will conduct a
record review to determine that
information on consent forms
is consistent with the actual
assessments that are
completed.


SE 25
Parent Consent
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Implemented
13
Partially
Implemented
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
For students whose
behavior impedes their
learning or the learning of
others, the IEP did not
always include information
on how the behaviors
impact progress in general
education and did not
include information on
behavioral
accommodations or
modifications necessary
for effective progress.
No sooner than January 4,
2006, the Department of
Education will conduct a
record review to determine that
IEPs contain information on
how behavior impacts learning
and behavioral
accommodations and or
modifications necessary for
effective progress.

SE 43
Behavioral
Interventions
Record
Review and
Interviews
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
when
suspensions
exceed 10
school days
Record
Review and
Interviews

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

Student records indicated that
the Team met to develop or
review a functional behavioral
assessment as required. The
school meets to complete the
functional behavior assessment
before the student exceeded the
10 days of suspension.
14
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
SE 49
Related
Services
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


MOA 17 A
Physical
Restraints
MOA 21
Civil Rights
Training
Method(s)
of Verification
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Not all staff members
received the mandated
restraint training overview
at the beginning of the
school year.
By October 14, 2005, the
district must submit a dated
agenda of the restraint training
that was held during the first
month of the school year. The
district must also send a letter
of assurance stating that newly
hired staff members will
receive training within a month
of their employment.
Interviews indicated that
By October 14, 2005, the

Record
Review and
Interviews
Counseling services were
included in a student’s IEP
when recommended by the
Team.
Record
Review and
Interviews

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Interviews
and
Documentation

Civil rights training has been
provided for all school
personnel.
MOA 7 B
15
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of
requirements
in 2004-2005
Special
Education
Information
Package)
Structured
Learning Time
Implementation Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s)
of Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified

Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
students were not receiving
physical education as
required. There were no
physical education classes
taught during the 20032004 and the 2004-2005
school years.
district must submit to the
Department the fall schedule of
classes showing that all
students are scheduled to
receive physical education as
required by law.

Interviews

16