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
May 19, 2006
Dr. Suzanne Marotta, Superintendent
West Springfield Public Schools
26 Central Street
West Springfield, MA 01089
Re:
Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
Dear Superintendent Marotta:
Enclosed is the Department of Education's Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report. This report
contains findings based on onsite monitoring activities conducted to verify the implementation status and
effectiveness of corrective action activities approved by the Department that were intended to address
findings of noncompliance included in the West Springfield Coordinated Program Review Report issued
on June 18, 2003. (In the remainder of this letter, please read “district” as meaning “school district or
charter school.”)
As you know, one component of the Department’s Mid-cycle Review process is the review of your
district's self-assessment in the area of English learner education (ELE). The purpose of this activity is to
determine if your district is beginning to implement the significant changes in M.G.L. Chapter 71A, this
state’s law governing the education of limited English proficient students that was adopted by voters as
Question 2 in 2002. The Department has reviewed your district’s ELE self-assessment documents and is
providing you now with advisory comments and actions to be implemented in anticipation of your
district’s next scheduled Coordinated Program Review. Where indicated in our report, your district is
urged to request technical assistance in areas that, based solely on your self-assessment documents, were
found not likely to be fully implemented. To secure assistance, you may consult with your Mid-cycle
Review Chairperson or call Robyn Dowling-Grant in Program Quality Assurance Services at 781-3383732. You may also consult with staff in the Department’s Office of Language Acquisition and
Achievement at 781-338-3534 and obtain additional ELE guidance documents through the Department’s
web site at http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/.
While the Department of Education found the majority of noncompliance issues to be resolved, one issue
remains partially corrected.
As the Department previously informed you, in cases where a district fails to fully 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.
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
1
You will find this requirement 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.
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 413-858-4591
Sincerely,
Martha von Mering, Coordinated Program Review Follow-up Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Mayor Edward Gibson, School Committee Chairperson
Dr. Russell Johnston, Special Education Director
Encl.: Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT
WEST SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Date of Coordinated Program Review (CPR): December 9 – 13, 2002
Date of Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Plan Approval: February 19, 2004
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: 09/04, 03/05, 10/05
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: May 8, 9, 11, 2006
Date of this Report: May 19, 2006
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be
Substantially
Implemented
and Effective
Or
New IDEA
Requirements
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Findings Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Activities
Or
Basis of Findings Regarding
Implementation of New
IDEA Requirements
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
Not Fully
Implemented
Or
Additional
Issues Have
Been
Identified

Basis of Findings
Regarding Incomplete
or Ineffective
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan
Or
Basis of Findings of
Additional
Noncompliance
Special Education Requirements (including new IDEA-2004 Requirements)
SE 6
Determination
of Transition
Services

Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
The Team, including the student
when appropriate, determines the
appropriate transition services for
the student. The district ensures
that identified transition services
are consistently implemented and
documented in the IEP and on the
recommended DOE Transition
Planning Chart.
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
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Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Further Progress
Reporting Requirements
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
SE 8
IEP Team
composition
and attendance
Approved
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be
Substantially
Implemented
and Effective
Or
New IDEA
Requirements
Implemented


Method(s) of
Verification
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
SE 12
Frequency of
re-evaluation

SE 13
Progress
Reports and
content

SE 14
Review and
revision of
IEPs

Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Basis of Findings Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Activities
Or
Basis of Findings Regarding
Implementation of New
IDEA Requirements
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
Not Fully
Implemented
Or
Additional
Issues Have
Been
Identified

Basis of Findings
Regarding Incomplete
or Ineffective
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan
Or
Basis of Findings of
Additional
Noncompliance
The district ensures that IEP
Teams are composed of all
required persons unless the parent
and district agree to use alternative
means or the parent gives written
consent to excuse a member’s
attendance.
The district ensures that a reevaluation is conducted, with
parental consent, every three years
consistent with the requirements of
federal law or unless otherwise
agreed to by the parent and
district.
The district ensures that progress
reports are completed at least as
often as parents are informed of
the progress of non-disabled
students and address the progress
toward the goal and whether the
progress is sufficient to meet the
goal by the end of the IEP period.
The district ensures that IEPs are
reviewed on or before the
anniversary date of their
implementation date to consider
the student’s progress and develop
a new IEP.
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
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Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Further Progress
Reporting Requirements
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
SE 25B
Resolution of
disputes
Approved
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be
Substantially
Implemented
and Effective
Or
New IDEA
Requirements
Implemented


Method(s) of
Verification
Student
Records

SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
more than 10
days

Documentation
Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Documentation
Staff
Interviews
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
Not Fully
Implemented
Or
Additional
Issues Have
Been
Identified

Basis of Findings
Regarding Incomplete
or Ineffective
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan
Or
Basis of Findings of
Additional
Noncompliance
The district ensures that required
resolution dispute procedures are
followed including convening a
meeting to attempt resolution and
completing a legally binding
agreement if the resolution session
is successful or seeking mediation
when agreed to by the parent and
district.
Staff
Interviews
SE 30
Notice of
procedural
safeguards
Basis of Findings Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Activities
Or
Basis of Findings Regarding
Implementation of New
IDEA Requirements
The district is using the
Massachusetts Interim Notice of
Procedural Safeguards and
provides it to parents as required.
The district ensures students with
disabilities, who are suspended 10
consecutive days or 10 cumulative
days that constitute a pattern, are
provided all required procedural
safeguards including a Team
meeting to conduct a manifestation
determination and provides a
functional behavioral assessment,
and behavior intervention plan if
the behavior is determined to be a
manifestation of the student’s
disability.
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
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Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Further Progress
Reporting Requirements
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
SE 9
Timeline for
determination
of eligibility
and provision
of
documentation
to parent
Approved
Method(s) of
Basis of Findings Regarding
Corrective
Basis of Findings
Required Corrective Action,
Corrective
Verification
Corrective Action Plan
Action Plan
Regarding Incomplete
Timelines for
Action Plan
Activities
Determined
or Ineffective
Implementation,
Determined to
Or
Not Fully
Implementation of
and Further Progress
be
Basis of Findings Regarding
Implemented
Approved Corrective
Reporting Requirements
Substantially
Implementation of New
Or
Action Plan
Implemented
IDEA Requirements
Additional
Or
and Effective
Issues Have
Basis of Findings of
Or
Been
Additional
New IDEA
Identified
Noncompliance

Requirements
Implemented

Other Special Education Requirements Originally Cited in CPR Report and Not Already Addressed Above
Student
The district determines whether a

Records
Staff
Interviews
SE 21
School day and
school year
requirements

SE 23
Confidentiality
of personally
identifiable
information

SE 24
Notice to
parent

Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
Student
Records
Staff
Interviews
student is eligible for special
education and provides the parent
or guardian either a proposed IEP
and placement ot a written
explanation of the finding of no
eligibility within forty-five school
working days after receipt of the
parent’s written consent to
evaluate.
The district ensures that it
routinely considers the need for an
educational program that is less
than or more than the regular
school day or school year.
The district ensures it protects the
confidentiality of personally
identifiable information that is
collected, used, or maintained
including the maintenance of a log
of access in each student file.
The district ensures that when a
student is referred for an
evaluation, it provides written
notice to the parent within 5
school days of the referral’s
receipt.
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
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Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
SE 37
Procedures for
approved and
unapproved
out-of-district
placements
Approved
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be
Substantially
Implemented
and Effective
Or
New IDEA
Requirements
Implemented


Method(s) of
Verification
Student
Records

SE 54
Professional
development

SE 55
Special
education
facilities and
classrooms

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
Not Fully
Implemented
Or
Additional
Issues Have
Been
Identified

Basis of Findings
Regarding Incomplete
or Ineffective
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan
Or
Basis of Findings of
Additional
Noncompliance
The district ensures that when a
student is placed in an out-ofdistrict program it monitors the
provision of services and
maintains monitoring plans and all
actual monitoring activities within
the students’ files for review.
Staff
Interviews
SE 53
Use of paraprofessionals
Basis of Findings Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Activities
Or
Basis of Findings Regarding
Implementation of New
IDEA Requirements
Student
Records
The district ensures that
paraprofessionals are
appropriately trained to assist in
the provision of special education
or related services and do not
design instruction but are provided
with appropriate supervision.
Staff
Interviews
Documentation
Staff
Interviews
On-site reviews
of special
education
spaces
The district ensures that it
considers the needs of all staff in
developing training opportunities
and provides a variety of offerings
including all required topics.
All district special education
facilities found in non-compliance
during the Coordinated Program
Review in 2003 were reviewed
during an on-site visit on
September 23, 2005. At that time,
all issues of non-compliance had
been fully corrected.
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
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Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Further Progress
Reporting Requirements
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
MOA 10A
(formerly part
of SE 45)
Approved
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be
Substantially
Implemented
and Effective
Or
New IDEA
Requirements
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Findings Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Activities
Or
Basis of Findings Regarding
Implementation of New
IDEA Requirements
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
Not Fully
Implemented
Or
Additional
Issues Have
Been
Identified

Basis of Findings
Regarding Incomplete
or Ineffective
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan
Or
Basis of Findings of
Additional
Noncompliance
Civil Rights (MOA) and Other General Education Requirements
While the district has made

substantial improvements in
updating its code of conduct
as reported during the
Coordinated Program
Review in 2003, an
additional review to identify
and remove remaining
outdated legal citations and
procedures is required.
Student
handbooks and
codes of
conduct
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
6
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Further Progress
Reporting Requirements
The district will remove outdated
legal citations and procedures
from all student handbooks
(elementary, MS, HS) and submit
a copy of each handbook to the
Department by July 15, 2007.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
ELE 1
Annual
Assessment
ELE 2
MCAS
Participation
ELE 3
Initial
Identification
ELE 4
Waiver
Procedures
ELE 5
Approved
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be
Substantially
Implemented
and Effective
Or
New IDEA
Requirements
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Findings Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Activities
Or
Basis of Findings Regarding
Implementation of New
IDEA Requirements
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
Not Fully
Implemented
Or
Additional
Issues Have
Been
Identified

Basis of Findings
Regarding Incomplete
or Ineffective
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan
Or
Basis of Findings of
Additional
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Further Progress
Reporting Requirements
Advisory Comments Resulting from the Department’s
Review of Local ELE Self-Assessment
Document Submission
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Further
Progress Reporting Requirements to be Implemented in Anticipation of the
District’s Next Scheduled Coordinated Program Review
Documentation indicates the district has well-established procedures
for annually assessing the English proficiency of students who have
been identified as limited English proficient (LEP). The district
utilizes trained staff to administer the MEPA that includes the
MEPA R/W and MELA-O.
Documentation indicates all LEP students participate in MCAS
testing scheduled for their respective grades regardless of the
program and services they are receiving. For those students in the
country less than a year, they are only required to participate in the
math and science and technology/engineering tests but may opt to
take all MCAS tests scheduled for their grade.
Documentation indicates the district has well-established procedures
for initial identification of LEP students. 3 ELL teachers and a
Russian Family Liaison coordinate identification and enrollment.
The district uses accepted assessment instruments (Bilingual Syntax
Measure I [BSM], BSM II, and LAS R/W as determined by age and
English speaking ability of the student).
Documentation indicates the district has well-established procedures
to notify parents of LEP students of the district’s sheltered English
immersion (SEI) program. To date no parent has waived the
district’s SEI program.
None
Documentation indicates the district’s program placement and
None
None
None
None
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
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ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Program
Placement and
Structure
Advisory Comments Resulting from the Department’s
Review of Local ELE Self-Assessment
Document Submission
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Further
Progress Reporting Requirements to be Implemented in Anticipation of the
District’s Next Scheduled Coordinated Program Review
ELE 6
Program Exit
and Readiness
structure meet all requirements under this criterion. The district has 7
elementary level SEI classrooms. Two classrooms are co-taught by a
dually certified elementary/ELL teacher and SEI trained elementary
teacher with a full-time Russian bilingual aide assisting in both; two
classrooms are taught by SEI trained teachers with a full-time ELL
teacher and Russian bilingual aide assisting both; two classrooms are
taught by SEI trained teachers. One has a .4 ESL teacher and the
second has an ESL teacher for 2 hours per day; a dually certified
elementary/ELL teacher teaches the last classroom with a full-time
Russian bilingual aide. The MS/HS programs, depending on the
English proficiency levels of the LEP students, range from full
inclusion (teachers are SEI trained) to various degrees of partial
inclusion.
Documentation indicates the district has well-established procedures
to appropriately determine an LEP student’s program readiness and
exit level.
ELE 7
Parent
Involvement
Documentation indicates the district has well-established
mechanisms in place for including parents/guardians of LEP students
in matters pertaining to their children’s education.
None
ELE 8
Declining Entry
to a Program
Documentation indicates the district has well-established procedures
for parents/guardians of LEP students who choose to decline entry to
a district program. To date only one parent of an LEP student,
designated for an advanced ELL class, declined entry to a district
program.
Please see ELE 5
None
ELE 10
Parental
Notification
Documentation indicates the district’s annual parental notification
letter contains all required elements for a Title III district. The
district provides parents of LEP students, report cards and progress
reports in the same manner and with the same frequency as general
education reporting and written in a language understandable to the
parent/guardian provided to the maximum extent possible.
None
ELE 11
District practices and documentation indicate that all LEP students
None
ELE 9
Instructional
Grouping
None
None
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
8
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Equal Access to
Academic
Programs and
Services
ELE 12
Equal Access to
Nonacademic
and
Extracurricular
Programs
ELE 13
Follow-up
Support
ELE 14
Licensure and
Fluency
Requirements
ELE 15
Professional
Development
Requirements
ELE 16
Equitable
Facilities (To be reviewed
during next
CPR visit)
Advisory Comments Resulting from the Department’s
Review of Local ELE Self-Assessment
Document Submission
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Further
Progress Reporting Requirements to be Implemented in Anticipation of the
District’s Next Scheduled Coordinated Program Review
have equal access to academic programs and services.
District practices and documentation indicate that all LEP students
have equal access to non-academic and extracurricular programs.
None
Documentation indicates the district has well-established procedures
to appropriately monitor formerly limited English proficient (FLEP)
students.
None
Documentation indicates the district places LEP students in
classrooms with appropriately trained and qualified staff. The district
currently has 8 teachers licensed in English as a Second Language
(ESL) and 1 pending license; 15 teachers who are Qualified MEPA
Assessors (QMA); 2 teachers who are Qualified MEPA Trainers
(QMT); 5 teachers who have completed category 1, 2, & 3 training;
3 teachers who have completed category 1, 2, 3, & 4 training; 2
teachers licensed in all levels in Russian, one of whom is also
licensed TBE – Russian. All grade levels are represented.
Documentation indicates the district has implemented a professional
development plan that has provided, and continues to provide, high
quality training to district staff to ensure the progress of LEP
students in developing oral comprehension, speaking, reading, and
writing of English, and in meeting academic standards.
None
Not Rated
None
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
9
None
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Advisory Comments Resulting from the Department’s
Review of Local ELE Self-Assessment
Document Submission
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Further
Progress Reporting Requirements to be Implemented in Anticipation of the
District’s Next Scheduled Coordinated Program Review
ELE 17
DOE Data
Submission
Requirements
and Program
Evaluation
Documentation indicates the district conducts periodic evaluations of
the effectiveness of its ELE program including all required elements
for Title III districts.
None
ELE 18 Records
of LEP
Students(To be reviewed
during next
CPR visit.)
Not Rated
None
West Springfield Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
May 19, 2006
10