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
October 31, 2007
Dr. Steven Bengis
Executive Director
NEARI
70 North Summer Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
Re:
Onsite Follow-up Monitoring Report: Program Review Corrective Action Plan
Verification and Mid-cycle Review
Dear Dr. Bengis:
Enclosed is the Department's Program Review Follow-up Monitoring Report together with
findings regarding your private school’s Mid-Cycle Program Review. This report contains the
Department's findings based on the onsite activities conducted in your school to verify the
implementation status and effectiveness of corrective steps taken in response to your Program
Review Report issued on August 15, 2005. This report also includes a report on the status of
implementation for new state or federal special education requirements enacted since your
school’s last Program Review.
We are pleased to indicate that the Department of Education has found your school’s approved
Corrective Action Plan to be substantially implemented and effective in remedying previously
identified noncompliance issues. Additionally, we have determined that your school is in
substantial compliance with any new state or federal special education requirements enacted
since your last Program Review. The findings of the Department are included in the attached
Follow-up Monitoring Report. You and your entire staff are to be congratulated for your efforts
in implementing all necessary improvements. Your private school will now receive an updated
status of “Full Approval.” This approval shall remain in effect for three (3) years from the date of
this letter and attached approval certificate. This approval will be contingent upon continued
compliance with all regulations contained within 603 CMR 28.00 “Special Education
Regulations” and 603 CMR 18.00 “Program And Safety Standards For Approved Public Or
Private Day And Residential Special Education School Programs.” The Department of Education
may change this approval status at any point during this three-year period if circumstances arise
that warrant such a change.
Page 1 of 2
The Department will notify you of your school’s next regularly scheduled Program Review
several months before it is to occur. At this time we anticipate the Department's next routine
monitoring visit to occur sometime during the FY 2010, unless the Department determines that
there is some reason to schedule this visit earlier.
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,
Sandra K. Hanig, Program Review Follow-up Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
Jeffrey Nellhaus, Acting Commissioner of Education
Richard Dils, Chairperson, Board of Directors
Encl.: Follow-up Monitoring Report
Full Private School Approval Certificate, Expiration Date: August 31, 2011
Mid-cycle Cover Letter 2007 - 2008.doc
Rev. 9/15/07
Page 2 of 2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PRIVATE SCHOOL MID-CYCLE PROGRAM REVIEW
New England Adolescent Research Institute, Inc.
NEARI School
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Action Plan Submitted on September 26, 2005
Progress Reports Submitted on February 15, 2006
Mid-cycle Review Onsite Visit Conducted on October 25, 2007
Date of this Report: October 31, 2007
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified

Selected Approved Private School Mid-cycle Review Criteria
2.2

Interview,
NEARI was found to be in
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 1 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

2.3
EEC
Licensure

documentation
review and
observation
Approvals,
Licenses,
Certificates of
Inspection
18.04(1);
28.09(2)(b)(5);
28.09(5)(b);
28.09(6)(b, c)
Not Applicable
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified
------------
compliance with elements
of this criterion
NEARI is a day school.
102 CMR 3.00
(NA for Public
Day Schools)
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 2 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

7.4
High School
Diplomas and
Certificates of
Attendance
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified


Interview and
documentation
review
The Department found the
private school’s policy to
contain all required
elements.

Interview and
documentation
The Department found the
private school’s policy to
contain all required
elements.
M.G.L. c. 69,
§ 1D;
Administrativ
e Advisory
SPED 2002-4REVISED:
Special
Education
Students in
Out-of-District
PlacementsParticipation
in MCAS
Testing and
High School
Graduation
Standards
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 3 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

8.4
Program
Modifications
and Support
Services for
Limited
English
Proficient
Students
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified


Interview and
documentation
The Department found the
private school’s policy to
meet Department
guidelines.

Interview,
documentation
and student
record review
The Department found that
the private school has
documented repeated
attempts to contact the
sending public school
district when it does not
have a current signed IEP
on file for a student.
M.G.L. c. 71A;
Title VI
8.5
Current IEP
& Student
Roster
28.09(5)(a)
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 4 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

8.8
IEP – Progress
Reports
9.1(a)
Student
Separation
resulting from
Behavior
Management


Interview,
documentation
and student
record review
The Department found the
private school to be in
compliance with this
criterion.

Interview,
documentation,
student record
review and
observation
The Department found the
private school’s policy to
contain all required
elements.
State:
28.07(3);
Federal 20
U.S.C.
Chapter 33,
Section
1414(d)(1)(A)(
viii)
34 CFR
300.320(a)(3)(i
, ii)
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified
18.05(5)(i);
46.02(5)(b)
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 5 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification

11.3
Educational
Administrator
Qualifications
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action
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
Reports
The Department found a
Professional
Development Plan has
not been created for the
professional level
licensed special education
administrator.
Submit a copy of the
Professional
Development plan that
has been reviewed and
signed by both the
Educational
Administrator and her
supervisor.

Interview,
documentation
and personnel
record review

28.09(5)(a);
28.09(7)(a);
603 CMR
44.00
This documentation
must be received at the
Department of
Education by January
15, 2008.
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 6 of 15
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

11.4
Teachers
(Special
Education
Teachers and
Regular
Education
Teachers)
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified


Interview,
documentation
and personnel
record review
The Department found the
school to be in compliance
with elements of this
criterion.

Interview,
documentation
and personnel
record review
NEARI was found to be in
compliance with elements
of this criterion.

Interview,
documentation
and personnel
record review
NEARI was found to be in
compliance with elements
of this criterion.
18.05(11)(f);
28.09(5)(a);
28.09(7)(b, c)
11.5
Related
Services Staff
28.09(7)(d)
11.6
Master Staff
Roster
28.09(7)
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 7 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

12.2(c)
Details about
Required
TrainingCPR
Certification
18.05(9)(e)
14.4
Visiting, Mail
and
Telephones
(Residential
Schools Only)

Not Applicable
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified

Interview and
documentation
review
------------
The Department found that
the private school is in
compliance with this
criterion.
NEARI is a day school.
18.03(9)(a)
and (b)
16.3
Nursing
18.05(9)(b)

Interview and
documentation
review
The Department found the
private school to be in
compliance with this
criterion.
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 8 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

16.11
Student
Allergies


Interview,
documentation
and student
record review
The Department found that
the private school has
developed a written policy
for protecting a student
from exposure to foods,
chemicals or other
materials to which they are
allergic and has developed
individual plans for
protection when a student
has a diagnosed allergy or
chemical sensitivity.

Interview and
documentation
review
The Department found the
private school to be in
compliance with this
criterion.
18.05(9)(h)
16.12
No Smoking
Policy
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified
M.G.L. c. 71, §
37H
Identified Areas of Non-Compliance During 2005 Program Review or Other Areas of Concern
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 9 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification

8.11
IEP –
Transition
Planning
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action
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

Interview,
documentation
and student
record review

NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 10 of 15
The Department of
Education randomly
selected student records
for review and found that
student records of
students age 15 years or
older did not always
contain a copy of the
Transition Planning
Form.
Further Corrective
Action
Ordered by the
Department of
Education and
Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reports
Submit the following
documents to the
Department of
Education by January
15, 2008:
 Initials of student
with name of
sending public
school district for
all students who
were age 15 or
older when the
most recent IEP
was written
 Report on review
of student record
for each student on
this list – indicate
if Transition
Planning Form
was found in the
student’s record
 For each student
record that did not
contain a
Transition
Planning Form,
submit evidence of
the private
school’s attempts
to contact the
sending public
school district to
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

13.2
Description of
Physical
Facility
13.4
Physical
Facility/
Architectural
Barriers
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified


Interview,
documentation
review and
observation
The Department found the
school to be in compliance
with this criterion.

Interview,
documentation
review and
observation
The Department found that
the private school has a
written plan to move
elementary school
classrooms to the school
building with handicap
accessibility to the
basement and restrooms.
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 11 of 15
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
Reports
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification

15.5
Parental
Consent
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action
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
Reports
The Department found
that the private school
had sent a letter to all
parents or guardians in
October 2007 to update
annual consents. When
student records were
reviewed, the Department
of Education found that
all records reviewed did
not contain consents
signed in the previous 12
months for research,
experimentation,
fundraising and
observation or other
required consents.
Submit a report on
your review of 10
randomly selected
student records. This
report must indicate
whether each of the
following consents
were found in the
student record and the
date the consent was
signed by the parent:
 Evaluation of
student in
coordination with
sending public
school district
and/or acceptance
of student’s IEP
 Emergency
medical care
 Medications
 Restraints
 Research,
Experimentation,
Fundraising,
Publicity and
Observation


Interview,
documentation
and student
record review

NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 12 of 15
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action
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
Reports


If applicable, letter
notifying parent of
human sexuality
curriculum.
For each student
record that did not
contain a
signed consent in
previous 12
months, submit
evidence of the
private school’s
repeated attempts
to obtain current
consent.
This report must be
received at the
Department of
Education by January
15, 2008.
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 13 of 15
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification

16.5
Administration
of Medication
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action
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
Reports
The Department found
that identified staff
members who administer
medication have not
received training since
August 2006. This
training is scheduled for
November 15, 2007.
Submit a list of staff
members who
administer medication
and evidence that they
have received
refresher training in
administration of
medications from a
registered nurse or
physician.

Interview,
documentation,
and personnel
record review

Evidence of
attendance at this
training must include:
 Name and
qualifications of
person providing
training
 Agenda
 Hand-outs
 Signatures of staff
members in
attendance.
This report must be
received by the
Department by
January 15, 2008.
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 14 of 15
Criterion
Number and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Implementation Status
of Requirements or
Corrective Action

16.7
Preventative
Health Care

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined to
be Not Fully
Implemented
or Additional
Issues
Identified

Interview and
documentation
review
The Department found that
the private school has
documented required
mandated health
screenings.
NEARI Program Review Mid-cycle Report
October 31, 2007
Page 15 of 15
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
Reports