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
June 5, 2006
Rose P. Ellis, Superintendent
Williamstown Public Schools
115 Church Street
Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267
Re: Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
Dear Superintendent Ellis:
Enclosed is the Department of Education's Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report (MidCycle Report). This report contains findings based on onsite monitoring conducted to verify the
implementation and effectiveness of corrective action approved by the Department to address
findings of noncompliance included in the Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program
Review Report issued on March 10, 2004. The Mid-cycle Report also contains findings based on
onsite monitoring of special education compliance criteria that have been newly created or
substantially changed in response to IDEA 2004.
As you know, another component of the Department’s Mid-cycle Review is the review of your
school district or charter school's self-assessment in the area of English learner education (ELE).
(In the remainder of this letter, please read “district” as meaning “school district or charter
school.”) The purpose of this review is to determine whether your district is implementing the
significant changes in M.G.L. Chapter 71A, governing the education of limited English proficient
students, that were adopted by voters by means of Question 2 in 2002. The Department has
reviewed your district’s ELE self-assessment documents and, based solely on that selfassessment, is providing you in this report with comments on your ELE program and, where
necessary, corrective action to be implemented. Your district is urged to request technical
assistance in relation to any of these comments or prescribed corrective action. To secure
assistance, you may consult with your Mid-cycle Review Chairperson or call Robyn DowlingGrant in Program Quality Assurance Services at 781-338-3732. 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 your district to have resolved the majority of its
noncompliance issues, three criteria were partially corrected, one special education criterion that
was added or substantially changed in response to IDEA 2004 was partially implemented, and six
ELE criteria were partially implemented.
In all instances where noncompliance has been found, the Department has prescribed corrective
action for the district that must be implemented without delay. You will find these requirements
for corrective action included in the attached report, along with requirements for progress
reporting. Please provide the Department with your written assurance that all of 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 Mid-cycle Review
Chairperson by June 20, 2006.
Your staff's cooperation throughout these follow-up monitoring activities is appreciated. Should
you like clarification of any part of our report, please do not hesitate to contact the Mid-cycle
Review Chairperson at (413) 858-4591.
Sincerely,
Paul D. Battistoni, Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education
Judy Fraser, Chairperson, Williamstown School Committee
Michael J. Singleton, District Program Review Follow-up Coordinator
Encl.: Mid-cycle Coordinated Program Review Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT
Williamstown Public Schools
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL NONCOMPLIANCE REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Date of Coordinated Program Review (CPR): May 27, 28, 29, 30, 2003
Date of Coordinated Program Review Corrective Action Plan Approval: November 24, 2004
Dates of Corrective Action Plan Progress Reports: May 26, 2005
Dates of this Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit: April 26, 27, 28, 2006
Date of this Report: June 5, 2006
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN SEVERAL SECTIONS.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 1 of 23
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Student record
reviews
Student records document
parents’ requests for
evaluation summaries two
days in advance of the Team
meetings, along with the date
of the actual meeting.
Student records indicate that
parents receive copies of
evaluations 2 days prior to
IEP Team meetings.

Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Special Education
Criteria
Originally Cited
in CPR Report
and Monitored in
Mid-cycle
SE 4
Reports of
assessment results
Yes
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 2 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 9
Timeline for
determination of
eligibility and
provision of
documentation to
parent
Yes
Documentation
and student
record review
The district has developed a
tracking system to accurately
oversee and adhere to the
timelines for determining
special education eligibility.
SE 18B
Determination of
placement;
provision of IEP
to parent
Yes
Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
The district implements the
required procedures to
determine placement at
initial/reevaluations and
annual review meetings.
SE 20
Least Restrictive
Program Selected
Yes
Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
The district considers the
least restrictive environment
and opportunities for
inclusion for students
through Team discussions at
IEP meetings.
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 3 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Student record
review and
documentation
On-site record reviews and
documentation indicate that
the Team routinely considers
extended school year and
shortened school day
services.

SE 21
School day and
school year
requirements
Yes
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 4 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 22
IEP
implementation
and availability
Yes
Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
The school district has an
IEP in effect for each student
at the beginning of the school
year. The district has in
place policies and procedures
to ensure that services are
provided without delay.
SE 24
Notice to parent
regarding
proposal or
refusal to initiate
or change the
identification,
evaluation, or
educational
placement of the
child or the
provision of
FAPE
Yes
Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
The district provides the
mandated written notices to
parents regarding the
district’s proposal or refusal
to act in regards to the
identification, evaluation or
educational services/
placement of the child.
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 5 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 27
Content of Team
meeting notice to
parents
Yes
Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
Team meeting notices meet
all content requirements set
forth by state and federal law
and regulation.
SE 29
Communications
are in English
and primary
language of home
Partial
Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
The district translates some,
but not all correspondence
into the primary language of
the students’ home.
SE 31
State and district
responsibility for
educational
surrogate parents
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The district has a policy and
procedure for providing
educational surrogate parents
to those students who do not
have parental representation.
SE 32
Parent advisory
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The district has an
established Parent Advisory
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Partial
Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Not all progress reports
and report cards of LEP
students were sent home
in a translated version of
the primary language of
the students’ home.
The district will submit a list of
all LEP students who require
report cards and progress
report to be translated into a
language other than English
and provide copies of 5
translated report cards and 5
progress reports by December
1, 2006.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 6 of 23
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Council that meets the
requirements of this
criterion.
council for special
education
SE 34
Continuum of
alternative
services and
placements
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The district offers a
continuum of services and
placements to meet the needs
of students in special
education.
SE 36
IEP
implementation,
accountability
and financial
responsibility
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicate that
within one day of receipt of
the IEP, all staff is provided
with a copy of the accepted
IEP. In addition, at the
beginning of each school
year, each teacher is a
provided with a list of all
students who have IEP’s that
have been assigned to their
classrooms.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 7 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 40
Instructional
grouping
requirements for
students aged five
and older
Yes
Student record
review and
interviews
The district ensures that the
size and composition of
instructional groupings for
eligible students receiving
services outside the general
education classroom are
compatible with the methods
and goals stated in each
student’s IEP and all other
requirements as required by
state and federal law.
SE 42
Programs for
children three
and four years of
age
Yes
Student record
review and
interviews
The district ensures programs
are available for eligible
children three and four years
of age and those programs
are developmentally
appropriate and specially
designed.
SE 49
Related Services
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
See SE 34 above.
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 8 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 52
Appropriate
certifications/
licenses or other
credentials –
related service
providers
Yes
Documentation
SE 53
Use of paraprofessionals
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
Paraprofessionals participate
in school and district
sponsored professional
development.
Paraprofessionals are
supervised and do not design
instruction.
SE 54
Professional
development
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The district considers the
needs of all staff in
developing training
opportunities and provides a
variety of offerings, which
include the required topics.
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
All staff members have
current licensure or have
licenses pending and are
on approved waivers from
the Department.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 9 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

SE 55
Special education
facilities and
classrooms
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
Special education services
are provided in classrooms
throughout the schools in
rooms that maximize
inclusion for students in the
life of the school and are
equal to standards for general
education facilities.
SE 56
Special education
programs and
services are
evaluated
Special Education
Criteria created
or revised in
response to
IDEA-2004
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The district’s special
education programs,
services, and administrative
areas are evaluated as
required by this criterion.
SE 6
Determination of
N/A
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Williamstown Elementary
School provides services to
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 10 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective

Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
student from Pre-K to Grade
6.
Transition
Services
SE 8
IEP Team
composition and
attendance
Yes
Student record
review and
interviews
IEP Teams consistently have
all required people in
attendance.
SE 12
Frequency of reevaluation
Yes
Student record
review and
documentation
The student record review
and the review of the IEP
logs indicate consistent
implementation of
completing the three-year reevaluation within required
timelines.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 11 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full text
of 2005-2006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determine
d to be
Implement
ed and
Effective
Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation,
and Progress Reporting
Student record
review and
documentation
The progress reports report
information on the student’s
progress toward the annual
goal and if the progress is
sufficient for the student to
achieve the goal by the
expiration of the IEP period.
Partial
The district does not
consistently provide
progress reports to parents
at least as often as parents
are informed of the
progress of non-disabled
students.
The district will draft a memo
to all staff who complete
special education progress
reports reiterating the
requirement that progress
reports are to be provided to
parents at least as often as
parents are informed of the
progress of non-disabled
students. A copy of the memo
and a sample of 10 progress
reports will be submitted to the
Department by December 1,
2006.

SE 13
Progress Reports
and content
Partial
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 12 of 23
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
SE 14
Review and
revision of
IEPs
Yes
Student record
review and
documentation
Student records and
documentation indicate that
the district conducts annual
reviews within the required
timelines.
SE 25B
Resolution of
Disputes
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The district has put into place
procedures and forms for
dispute resolution.
SE 30
Notice of
procedural
safeguards
Yes
Student record
review and
interviews
N1 notices document that the
district is providing parents
with copies of the Interim
Notice of Procedural
Safeguards.
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Criterion
Determined
to be
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 13 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
SE 46
Procedures for
suspension of
students with
disabilities
more than 10
days
Documentation
Yes
A review of records indicates
that the district has not had
any students suspended close
to or exceeding 10 days for
this school year; however,
the district has current
policies and procedures for
the suspension of students
with disabilities in place.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 14 of 23
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective
Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements
Partial
Student record
review,
documentation,
and interviews
Due to the small student
population of the district,
student registration is
conducted in person at which
time home languages other
than English are identified
and translated documents, if
needed, are provided.
Partial
Not all students in the
district have been given a
home language survey.
To ensure that all students in
the district have been screened,
home language surveys must
be mailed to all students within
the district. After all students
in the district have been
screened, the district may
continue to screen students’
home language as part of the
registration procedure. By
December 1, 2006, the district
will submit a random sample
selected by the Department of
25 student home language
surveys.
Civil Rights
(MOA) and
Other General
Education
Requirements
MOA 1
Identification
of limitedEnglishproficient
students
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 15 of 23
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
Criterion
Determined
to be
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Partial
Documentation
and interviews
Documentation and
interviews indicated that
three faculty members have
been provided Sheltered
English Immersion training.
Partial
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
MOA 2
Program
modification
and support
services for
limitedEnglishproficient
students
Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Not all teachers who have
ELL students in their
classes have been fully
trained in Sheltered
English Immersion.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 16 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
The district needs to provide
professional development to all
instructional staff who have
ELL students in their classes to
ensure that staff is qualified to
provide Sheltered English
Immersion. The district will
submit copy of the professional
development plan that includes
this training by December 1,
2006.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
MOA 6
Availability of
in-school
programs for
pregnant
students
Criterion
Determined
to be
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
The concern at the time of
the 2003 Coordinated
Program Review was that the
district’s policy for providing
in-school programs for
pregnant students required
pregnant students to obtain
permission from a physician
to remain in regular
education classes and
participate in extracurricular
activities with non-pregnant
students throughout their
pregnancy. In January 2006,
the district submitted a copy
of its new policy on the
education of pregnant
students that does not require
pregnant students to obtain
physician’s permission for
continued admission to the
public school.Documentation
review and interviews in
April 2006 verified that the
School Committee approved
the revised policy and that
pregnant students are not
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 17 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
required to obtain
physician’s permission for
continued admission to the
public school.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
MOA 17A Use
of physical
restraint on
any student
enrolled in a
publicly
funded
education
Approved
Corrective
Action
Determined
to be
Implemented
and Effective

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Corrective Action was
Implemented and has been
Effective
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The concern at the time of
the 2003 Coordinated
Program Review was that the
district did not send a copy
of the restraint training
agenda or the signatures of
staff members in attendance.
Corrective
Action
Determined
Not to have
been
Implemented
or Not to
have been
Effective
Or
New Issues
Identified

Basis of Determination
that Implementation of
Corrective Action was
Incomplete or
Ineffective
Or
Basis of Finding of New
Noncompliance
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 18 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Requirements
In January 2006, the district
submitted a copy of the
restraint training agenda and
a list of all staff members
who were in attendance.
program.
MOA 21
Staff training
regarding civil
rights
responsibilities
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The concern at the time of
the 2003 Coordinated
Program Review was that the
district only submitted a
copy of its sexual harassment
policy and the date it was
presented.
Documentation and
interviews verify that the
district provided the required
annual training on civil rights
responsibilities
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Criterion
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Basis of Determination that
Criterion was Implemented
Yes
Documentation
and interviews
The district has a process in
place to conduct an annual
institutional self-evaluation.
(Refer to full
text of 20052006 CPR
requirements)
MOA 25
Institutional
self-evaluation
Criterion
Determined
to be
Partially
Implemented
or Not
Implemented

Basis of Determination
that Criterion was
Partially Implemented
or Not Implemented
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 19 of 23
Required Corrective Action,
Timelines for
Implementation, and
Progress Reporting
Williamstown Public Schools
English Learner Education (ELE) Requirements
Mid-Cycle Review Comments and Corrective Action Based on the Department’s Review Of Local Self-Assessments
(Please refer to full text of 2005-2006 CPR-ELE legal requirements and related implementation guidance at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/instrument/chapter71A.doc )
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
ELE 1
Annual
Assessment
The district has established procedures for annually assessing
the English proficiency of all students who have a home
language other than English. The district is routinely
conducting required MEPA and MELA-O assessments.
ELE 2
MCAS
Participation
The district is providing appropriate accommodations for
limited English proficient students. The district is following
state guidelines regarding the participation of LEP students in
MCAS.
ELE 3
Initial
Identification
Due to the small student population of the district, student
registration is conducted in person at which time home
languages other than English are identified and translated
documents, if needed, are provided.
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
To ensure that all students in the district have been screened, home language
surveys will be mailed to all students within the district. After all students in the
district have been screened, the district may continue to screen students’ home
language as part of the registration procedure. By December 1, 2006, the district
will submit a random sample selected by the Department of 25 student home
language surveys.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 20 of 23
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
ELE 4
Waiver
Procedures
ELE 5
Program
Placement and
Structure
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
The district has not developed a waiver process.
The district will develop waiver procedures consistent with the requirements of
M.G.L/ c. 71A s5. The district’s corrective action is due December 1, 2006.
Not all teachers who have ELL students in their class have
been fully trained in Sheltered English Immersion.
The district needs to provide professional development to all instructional staff
who have ELL students in their classes to ensure that staff is qualified to provide
Sheltered English Immersion. The district will submit copy of the professional
development plan that includes this training by December 1, 2006.
ELE 6
Program Exit
and Readiness
The district uses assessment data (e.g., MELA-O, MEPA,
LAS-O, and LAS/RW) and classroom performance to
determine whether a student should be designated as Formerly
Limited English Proficient (FLEP).
ELE 7
Parent
Involvement
The district uses a variety of methods to include parents and
guardians of LEP students. The documentation indicated that
LEP parents have the same access to district involvement as
parents of English proficient students
ELE 8
Declining Entry
to a Program
The district has developed appropriate procedures and forms
to document the parent’s decision to decline entry into the
ELL program.
ELE 9
Instructional
Grouping
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
The district’s procedures for this criterion meet all
requirements.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 21 of 23
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
ELE 10
Parental
Notification
ELE 11
Equal Access to
Academic
Programs and
Services
ELE 15
Professional
Development
Requirements
ELE 16
Equitable
Facilities -
ELE 17
DOE Data
Submission
Requirements
and Program
Evaluation
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
The letter that the district uses to notify parents that their child
will be placed in an ELE program does not include all of the
required information. In addition, not all progress reports and
report cards of LEP students are being sent home in the
parents’ native language.
The district will revise the parental notice letter to bring it into compliance with
this criterion and submit a copy of it to the Department by December 1, 2006.
The district will also submit a list of all LEP students who require report cards
and progress report to be translated to a language other than English and provide
copies of 5 translated report cards and 5 progress reports by December 1, 2006.
The district’s implementation practices indicated that all LEP
students have access to and are integrated into general
education classrooms. In addition, LEP students can access
all curriculum offerings, such as special education services
and Section 504 Plans, provided they meet eligibility
requirements.
See ELE 5.
See ELE 5.
On-site verification concludes that LEP students are provided
with the same facilities, materials and services as those
provided to the general student population.
The district submits all student information required by the
Department annually. In addition, the district has evaluated
the program. See MOA 2.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
Page 22 of 23
ELE Criterion
Number
and
Topic
ELE 18 Records
of LEP
Students(To be reviewed
during next
CPR visit.)
Comments Based on the Department’s Review of Local
ELE Self-Assessment
Required Corrective Action, Timelines for Implementation, and Progress
Reporting
The district should anticipate that the Department will
examine the individual records of students identified as
Limited English Proficient during the course of a Coordinated
Program Review. The district may wish to consider
conducting a periodic record review and examining the
contents of student records using the Department’s procedures
to determine its compliance with state requirements.
The district will develop a checklist of required elements in the student folder of
an English Language Learner and submit it to the Department by December 1,
2006.
Williamstown Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
June 5, 2006
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