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 7, 2010
Thomas Pandiscio, Superintendent
Wachusett Regional School District
1745 Main Street
Jefferson, MA 01522
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Pandiscio:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your district in April 2009. In this Midcycle 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 26, 2010.
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 Betsy
Holcombe at (781) 338-3717.
Sincerely,
Betsy Holcombe, 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
Elizabeth Ahern, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Margaret Watson, School Committee Chairperson
Marie Harrington, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
Wachusett Regional School District
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: April 26, 2010
Date of this Report: July 7, 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 specific
learning
disability
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
A review of the student records
and a staff interview indicated that
the district is appropriately
evaluating students suspected of
having a specific learning
disability. The district is using all
of the current SLD forms. Written
documentation was evident in the
student records, including signed
statements of agreement of all IEP
Team members.
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 1 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Documentation
Interviews
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district does not currently
have any deaf or hard of hearing
students who require educational
interpreting and the district does
not currently employ any staff
members who are required to
register with Massachusetts
Commission for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing.
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 2 of 17
(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 1
Assessments
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews
Student
Records
SE 2
Required
Assessments

SE 4
Assessment
Results

Interviews
Student
Records
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Student records showed that
assessments address specific
areas of student educational and
developmental need, and include
assessments in the behavioral or
social domains. Staff interviews
indicated that the district uses
several Early Intervention (EI)
assessments for determining
eligibility when appropriate.
Interviews and student records
demonstrated that the district
uses recent and relevant EI
assessments when developing
students’ IEPs and
recommending services. See SE
17.
Student records showed that
assessment results address, in
educationally relevant and
common terms, the student’s
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 3 of 17
(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
needs, and detail explicit means
of meeting them.
SE 5
Participation in
Assessment
Programs

SE 6
Transition
Services

SE 7
Transfer of
Parental Rights
Interviews
Student
Records
Interviews
Student
Records
PI
Interviews
Student
Records
Interviews and student records
showed that IEP Teams identify
the learning strands and
standards, indicating how
students will participate in the
alternate MCAS assessment.
Student records and interviews
indicated that transition plans,
student vision statements and
IEPs are aligned and
individualized at all school
levels. For high school level
students IEPs reference student
preferences, interests,
community experiences,
development of employment or
other post-school adult living
objectives and goals.
A review of student records and
interviews indicated that at the
Team meeting 1 year prior to a
student reaching age 18; the
district informs the students of
The district is informing students
of their rights 1 year prior to the
age 18, however the district must
not implement the procedures to
obtain consent or document shared
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 4 of 17
The district will
provide a
narrative of the
updated
procedures
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
their right upon turning 18 to
make decisions related to special
education. However the district
is also at the same time securing
student consent at age 17, or if
the decision at the age of
majority is to share or delegate
decision-making, the district has
a form that is completed to
indicate decision-making
authority as shared or delegated
with signatures instead of
waiting until the student reaches
the age of majority as required.
decision making prior to the
student attaining the age of
majority. The district must analyze
the root cause of the noncompliance and if necessary review
and update their procedures related
to the transfer of parental rights at
the age of majority. Additionally,
please provide training on the
regulatory requirements and
district procedures to appropriate
staff.
Further, the district must conduct
internal monitoring of student
records to insure that procedures
for obtaining consent are initiated
once the student has reached age
18.
related to
transfer of
parental rights
and evidence of
staff training;
this will include
but not be
limited to a
training agenda,
attendance sheet
and copies of the
materials
presented.
Please submit
this to the
Department on
or before
October 15,
2010.
* 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).
Subsequent to
the training,
submit the
results of an
administrative
review of a
sample of
student records
for evidence of
appropriate
procedures
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 5 of 17
(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
regarding the age
of majority.
Indicate the
number of
records reviewed
from the high
school level, the
number of
records that were
in compliance,
an explanation of
the root cause for
any continued
non-compliance
and a description
of additional
corrective
actions to be
taken by the
district to
address any
identified noncompliance.
Please submit
this to the
Department on
or before
February 7,
2011.
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 6 of 17
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
SE 8
IEP Team
Composition

SE 9
Timeline for
Determination of
Eligibility

Student
Records
Student records demonstrated
that the district consistently
completes evaluations within 30
days of receipt of consent from
the parent.
SE 9A
Elements of
Eligibility
Determination

Interviews
Interviews and student records
indicated that the district ensures
that if the Team determines that
a student is not eligible for
special education they consider
whether the student may be
eligible for accommodation(s)
for disability(ies) under Section
504 where appropriate.
Interviews
Student
Records
Student
Records
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Student records and interviews
demonstrated that at each Team
meeting there is a chairperson
who has full authority to commit
district resources. The district
documents parent excusals for
Team meeting attendance and
the excused member submits in
writing any input he or she has
related to the IEP’s
development.
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 7 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 11
Independent
Educational
Evaluation
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews
Documentation
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Interviews, student records and
documentation demonstrated that
the district has a process in place
to assure that all aspects of
independent educational
evaluations are handled in a
manner that complies with the
requirements of this criterion.
SE 12
Re-Evaluation

Student
Records
Student records demonstrated
that evaluation consent forms are
sent to parents in a timely
manner and the district conducts
three year re-evaluations within
required timelines.
SE 13
Progress Reports

Student
Records
Student records demonstrate that
progress reports are addressing
student progress towards IEP
goals and are included in student
records.
SE 17
Early
Intervention
Transition

Interviews
Interviews and student records
indicated that the district uses
recent and relevant EI
assessments when appropriate to
develop student IEPs and
Student
Records
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 8 of 17
(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
recommend services. The district
is ensuring the effective
transition of young children from
EI programs, as IEPs are based
on current levels of development
and functioning. Student
observations are conducted at the
preschool level; and are written
and documented in student
records.
SE 18A
IEP Development

Student
Records
Student record review
demonstrated that the district
develops an IEP at the Team
meeting using the evaluation
data to guide development of
measurable, annual goals for the
student. IEPs for students with
significant cognitive disabilities
contain a description of
objectives or benchmarks; IEPs
for all students contain a
description of how progress
toward meeting the annual goals
will be measured and when
progress reports will be
provided.
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 9 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 18B
Placement
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Interviews
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Student record review and
interviews indicated that
placement decisions reflect the
least restrictive environment
consistent with the needs of the
student. Inclusion in the general
education classroom is routinely
considered.
SE 19
Extended
Evaluations

Interviews
Student
Records
Student records and interviews
indicated that for eligible
students at preschool and all
other levels, when a Team finds
the evaluation information
insufficient to develop a full or
partial IEP, the Team, with the
parents’ consent, agrees to an
extended evaluation period.
SE 20
Least Restrictive
Program

Student
Records
Student record review showed
that if the student is removed
from the general education
classroom at any time, the Team
states why the removal is
considered critical to the
student’s program and the basis
for its conclusion that education
of the student in a less restrictive
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 10 of 17
(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
environment, with the use of
supplementary aids and services,
could not be achieved
satisfactorily.
SE 21
School Day and
Year

Interviews
Student
Records
Student records and interviews
demonstrated that the district
identifies extended school year
(ESY) programming during IEP
development meetings.
SE 22
IEP
Implementation

Interviews
Interviews and documentation
indicated that teachers are
consistently informed of their
specific responsibilities related
to the implementation of a
student’s IEP.
SE 24
Notice to Parent

Documentation
Documentation
Student
Records
Documentation and student
records indicated that the district
has a procedure in place to
ensure that when a parent
requests an evaluation of the
student the evaluation consent
forms are sent within five days
as required.
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 11 of 17
(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
SE 25
Parental Consent

Student
Records
Student records demonstrated
that the district does not conduct
any evaluations prior to
receiving parental consent.
SE 29
Communications
are in Primary
Language of
Home

Documentation
Interviews
Documentation and interviews
demonstrated that the district has
procedures in place to assure that
communications with parents are
in simple and commonly
understood words and are in
both English and the primary
language of the home if such
primary language is other than
English.
SE 34
Continuum of
Alternative
Services

Documentation
Interviews and documentation
indicated that the district ensures
that there is a continuum of
services and alternative
placements available to meet the
vocational needs of all students
in grades 9 and 10. IEP Teams
discuss career exploration and
preparation, mentoring
opportunities, job coaching, and
other vocational opportunities
for students who do not gain
Interviews
Student
Records
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 12 of 17
(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
admission to a vocational high
school. Record review showed
that Adaptive Physical
Education (APE) services are
documented on IEPs, as
appropriate.
SE 37
Out of District
Placement

SE 40
Instructional
Groupings

SE 42
Programs for
Young Children

Interviews
Student
Records
Documentation
Interviews
Interviews
Documentation
Student record review and
interviews demonstrated that the
district monitors the provision of
services to and the programs of
individual students placed in
public and private out-of-district
programs. Monitoring plans and
monitoring logs are placed in the
student record and site visits are
routinely conducted.
Documentation and interviews
indicated that the district is in
compliance with all regulations
related to instructional grouping
size at each school.
Documentation and interviews
demonstrated that the early
childhood inclusion program has
the appropriate number of
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 13 of 17
(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
children without disabilities
required for inclusionary
programs.
SE 43
Behavioral
Interventions

Student
Records
Student record review
demonstrated that IEPs include
Functional Behavioral
Assessments (FBAs) or
Behavioral Intervention Plans
(BIPs) as needed, and are
documented in student records.
SE 48
Equal
Participation

Interviews
See SE 42
SE 49
Related Services

Documentation
Interviews
Student
Records
SE 51
Teacher
Licensure

Documentation
Interviews
Interviews and student records
demonstrated that all related
services are provided as
specified and written in the
students IEP.
Documentation and interviews
indicated that all special
education staff members are
appropriately certified or
licensed.
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 14 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
SE 53
Paraprofessionals
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Documentation
Interviews and documentation
showed that paraprofessionals
are trained to assist in providing
special education or related
services appropriate to their
responsibilities. The district
utilizes paraprofessionals at all
levels for inclusion support.
Interviews
SE 54
Professional
Development

SE 55
Facilities

Documentation
Interviews
Interviews
Observations
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action
and Timelines for
Implementation
Documentation and interviews
indicated that all staff members
have been provided with training
on analyzing and
accommodating diverse learning
styles of all students in order to
achieve the objective of
inclusion in the regular
classroom.
Interviews and on site visits
indicated the following:
Dawson Elementary has a
designated room for physical
therapy. Houghton Elementary
does not have stigmatizing signs
designating “speech, student
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 15 of 17
(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
services” and no longer has a
handwritten sign stating
“resource room”.
Chocksett Middle School does
not have stigmatizing signs
identifying “speech” and
“resource room” on classroom
doors. Thomas Prince
Elementary School has special
education classrooms that are
located throughout the school.
Wachusett Regional High
School has the district-wide LD
program which is appropriately
located, and is equal in all
physical respects to the average
standards of general education
facilities and classrooms.
Wachusett Regional School District Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 7, 2010
Page 16 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: Wachusett Regional 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