Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906
Telephone: (781) 338-3000
TTY: N.E.T. Relay (800) 439-2370
January 9, 2013
Mr. Ted Wilson, Executive Director
Seaport Academy Day Program
Schools for Children, Inc.
197 8th Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
VIA FACSIMILE and Certified U.S. Mail
Re:
Mid-cycle Review and Verification of previous Program Review Corrective Action Plan
and Notification of Probationary Approval - REVISED
Dear Mr. Wilson:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (the “Department”) Midcycle Review Report based upon the Mid-cycle Review conducted in your private school
program on November 14, 2012. This Mid-cycle Review Report contains the Department's
findings regarding the implementation status and effectiveness of corrective steps taken in
response to your previous Program Review Report issued on August 18, 2010. This report also
includes a report on the status of implementation for new state or federal special education
requirements enacted since your program’s last Program Review.
The Department finds that Seaport Academy Day Program (“Seaport Academy”), a day program
operated pursuant to 603 CMR §28.00, Massachusetts Special Education Regulations, and 603
CMR §18.00, Program and Safety Standards for Approved Public or Private Day and Residential
Special Education School Programs, is not in compliance with applicable regulations as outlined
below in the Mid-cycle Review Report. As a result of serious concerns the Department has
regarding the ability of the school to provide an appropriate education to enrolled students as
outlined in 603 CMR 28.09(4)(b), the Department is hereby notifying Seaport Academy that it is
being placed on Probationary Approval. The Department is also hereby notifying Seaport
Academy that as of this notice, the school is not to accept any additional eligible students
into the program.
Page 1 of 3
Consistent with 603 CMR 28.09(4), within two (2) school days of receipt of notice from the
Department placing the Program's approval on probation, Seaport Academy must provide
notification of this Probationary Approval status to the parents of all Massachusetts enrolled
students, all Massachusetts school districts with enrolled students, and officials of Massachusetts
human service agencies or agencies of other states with responsibility for any students at the
school. This notification must state that Seaport Academy has been assigned probationary status
for the reasons outlined below. A copy of the proposed letter and a list of all recipients must be
submitted to the Department for approval prior to distribution.
The circumstances that have prompted this action by the Department are based on observations
made, documentation reviewed, and interviews conducted by the Department during the
November 14, 2012 onsite visit during the Mid-cycle Review.
Specifically, while onsite for the Mid-cycle Review on November 14, 2012, the Department staff
noted serious concerns regarding the provision of an appropriate educational program. Seaport
Academy is not adhering to the requirements of 603 CMR 28.09(9)(a), 603 CMR
18.03(1)(a), and 603 CMR 28.09(7)(b,c) in that the school is not offering or providing the
appropriate amount of instructional time to students as required, is not providing
appropriate supervision to students while they are engaged in school-related activities, and
is not providing educational services to students by appropriately licensed teachers.
Department staff who observed the academic program noted that students were sleeping during
instructional time, wandering in and out of classrooms, using earphones and texting or using
their cell phones during class and not following academic schedules.
In cases where a program fails to fully and effectively implement a previously approved
Corrective Action Plan, the Department must then prepare a Corrective Action Plan for the
program which must be implemented without further delay. The Department has included
specific corrective action to address the new issues identified during the onsite visit in the
enclosed Mid-cycle Review Report. You will find all of the required corrective action in the far
right column of the Report. No later than 3:00 P.M. on Monday, January 28, 2013, Seaport
Academy must submit to the Department evidence of having implemented the required
corrective action. Your response must include a detailed description outlining the steps being
taken, the persons responsible for implementation, and the specific timelines for correction of
these problems.
Please note that the Department will conduct both announced and unannounced site visits to
Seaport Academy. Following the Department's review of the program’s required corrective
action and results of any announced and/or unannounced site visits, the Department may
reinstate the program to an approval status of Provisional or withdraw the program’s approval.
The Department will provide written notification of its action to Seaport Academy.
Page 2 of 3
It is our desire to work positively and collaboratively with Seaport Academy to ensure
compliance with Department requirements and to support the program in its efforts to meet the
challenging needs of the students it serves. If you have any questions regarding the contents of
this letter, please contact Helen Murgida at 781-338-3713.
Sincerely,
Helen M. Murgida, Liaison
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene Lynch
Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c: Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
Pamela Sweeney, Assistant Director, Program Quality Assurance Services
Nina Marchese, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Sally Currier, Board of Directors Chairperson, Seaport Academy
Alex Tsonas, Program Director, Seaport Academy
Monica Synnott, Director of Special Education Pricing, Operational Services Division
Encl.: Mid-cycle Review Report
Probationary Private School Approval Certificate, Expiration Date: March 7, 2013
Page 3 of 3
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
PRIVATE SCHOOL MID-CYCLE REVIEW
SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN, INC.
SEAPORT ACADEMY DAY PROGRAM
MID-CYCLE REVIEW REPORT
Previous Program Review Corrective Action Plan Submitted on September 21, 2010
Progress Reports Submitted on February 17, June 6, July 8, and August 7, 2011
Mid-cycle Onsite Visit Conducted on November 14, 2012
Date of this Report: January 9, 2013
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 1 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

Selected Approved Private School Program Mid-cycle Review Criteria
2.2 Approvals,
Licenses,
Certificates of
Inspection
18.04(1);
28.09(2)(b)(5);
28.09(5) (b);
28.09(6) (b, c)

2.3 EEC
Licensure
102 CMR 3.00
(Residential
Programs
only)
Not Applicable
Documentation
Observation
Seaport Academy submitted
current approvals, licenses,
and certificates of inspection
by state and local agencies as
required.
Seaport Academy is a day
program; therefore this
criterion is not applicable.
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 2 of 27
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Documentation
While Seaport Academy
submitted documentation that
verifies the required number of
school days and the required
number of instructional hours
are being offered to all
students, observation revealed
that students either leave class
on their own or are sent out of
class due to disruptive
behaviors and were observed
wearing earbuds/headphones,
text messaging, and had heads
down on desks while
instruction was taking place.

6.1 Daily
Instructional
Hours
603 CMR
27.04
&
6.4 School
Days Per Year
603 CMR
27.05(2);
28.09(9)(a)
Interviews
Observation
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Students were observed
leaving class and
wandering in and out of
the building on their
own terms or not
actively engaged in the
lesson and time out of
learning was not
documented.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit copies of an
individual written log for
each student’s participation
in classes for each day. If a
student is scheduled to
attend a class and does not
do so, or is not participating,
this must be documented
and explained in detail on
the log. The length of
refusal or non-participation,
the reason for the student
refusal or non-participation
and the behavioral plan staff
implemented must be
included for each entry in
the log. These logs are to
begin upon receipt of this
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 3 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

report and continue each
school day until the
Department has determined
they are no longer necessary
and has notified Seaport
Academy of such in writing.
8.5 Current
IEP & Student
Roster
28.09(5)(a)
Partial
Documentation
Student Records
Interviews
While not all students have a
current IEP that has been
issued by the responsible
public school district and
consented to and dated by the
student’s parent(s), Seaport
Academy provided
documentation of their efforts
to obtain such documentation
from sending school districts.
Partial
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 4 of 27
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit a roster of publicly
funded Massachusetts
students currently enrolled
in the program containing
the following information:
o Each student’s
initials
o The school district
responsible for
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

o
o
o
o
o
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 5 of 27
preparing the
student’s IEP;
The name of the
school district contact
person for each
student;
The agency(ies)
supporting any part
of the student’s
tuition;
The portion of tuition
supported by such
agency(ies);
The implementation
date of the most
recently issued and
consented to IEP;
The date of
expiration for the
most recently issued
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

11.3
Educational
Administrator
Qualifications
28.09(5)(a);
28.09(7)(a);
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Seaport Academy does
not have the full-time
Educational
Administrator working
on-site each day and it
is unclear who her
designee is on the days
that she is working off-
and consented to IEP;
The date of parental
signature on the most
recently issued and
consented to IEP; and
o For each unsigned
IEP, evidence or
documentation of
efforts and/or steps
taken for the public
school district to
obtain signed IEPs.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit the name of the staff
member acting as her
designee as the educational
administrator when she is
not on site for the program.
Such person shall be

Documentation
While the Educational
Administrator meets the
required qualifications to serve
in this capacity, she is only onsite at the program 2-3 days
per week.

Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 6 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented

603 CMR
44.00
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
site.
assigned to supervise the
provision of special
education services in the
program and to ensure that
the services specified in
each student’s IEP are
delivered. The educational
administrator designee shall
either possess licensure as a
special education
administrator or possess all
of the following:
 License as a special
educator;
 A minimum of a
master's degree in
special education or
a related field; and
 A minimum of one
year of

Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 7 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

administrative
experience.
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 8 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Documentation
At the time of the last Program
Review, review of
documentation and staff
interviews revealed that one
teacher was not licensed or
waivered in special education
as required.

11.4 Teachers
(Special
Education
Teachers and
Regular
Education
Teachers)
18.05(11)(f);
28.09(5)(a);
28.09(7)(b, c);
34 CFR
300.321
Staff Records
Interviews
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
At the time of the Midcycle Review, 5.1 Full
Time Equivalents
(FTE’s) of teachers
were listed on the
Teaching Roster, but
only 2.1 FTE’s of
teachers are licensed or
on approved waivers as
required.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit the following:
 Current teaching staff
roster that includes all
UFR 115’s special
education teachers and
UFR 116’s regular
education teachers in the
program that contains the
following information:
o UFR#;
o Name;
o Position title within
the program;
o Grade level(s) taught;
o Subject(s) taught;
o Massachusetts
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 9 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

o
o
o
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 10 of 27
teaching license title,
type, grade level,
number and
expiration date;
Copy of license or
most current ELAR
activity sheet;
In instances where
teachers do not hold
Massachusetts
licensure for the area
in which they are
employed, a copy of
a current certification
waiver is provided or
ELAR activity sheet;
In instances when
general education
teachers are
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

o
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 11 of 27
providing special
education services,
the name and license
of the special
educator providing
supervision; and
Most recent date of
Professional
Development Plan for
special education
teachers and general
education teachers
with professional
level licensure.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Documentation
Seaport Academy submitted a
Related Service Staff Roster
that contains all required
elements showing that related
services are being provided to
students by appropriately
certified, licensed or registered
staff.

11.5 Related
Services Staff
Interviews
28.09(7)(d)
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Three unlicensed
interns are providing
unsupervised one-onone and small group
counseling services to
students.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit evidence that the
staff providing one-on-one
and small group counseling
are appropriately qualified to
provide such services.
The Master Staff Roster
did not include the
name of a “Teaching
By January 28, 2013
Seaport Academy must
submit:
However, while a Licensed
Counselor is on maternity
leave, three Master’s level
interns are providing one-onone and small group services
to some of the student
caseload.
11.6 Master
Staff Roster
Documentation
Interviews
Seaport Academy submitted a
Master Staff Roster that
corresponds to the last

Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
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Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

28.09(7)
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

approved Program Budget and
that contains the name,
program job title,
corresponding UFR title
number, licensure and/or
certification if appropriate,
full-time equivalent (FTE),
and qualifications for current
staff as required. However, a
staff member hired as a
“Teaching Assistant” was not
included on the Master Staff
Roster.
Assistant” who was
observed working with
students.
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 13 of 27
 A current master staff
roster that includes for
each staff person
o
Corresponding
UFR#s;
o
UFR tittles;
o
Full time
equivalents
(FTEs);
o
Position title;
o
First and Last
name;
o
Vacancies
indicated;
and
o Justification for any
discrepancies from
last approved
program budget.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
19 Anti-Hazing
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented


M.G.L. c. 71, s.
37H, as
amended by
Chapter 92 of
the Acts of
2010. M.G.L.
c. 71, s.
37O(e)(1) &
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Documentation
Seaport Academy provided
evidence of distribution of the
policy as approved by the
program’s Board of Directors
to all secondary students, as
well as documentation of
students’ receipt of the policy
as required.
Seaport Academy submitted a
Bullying Prevention and
Intervention Plan which
included: a description of the
process the program followed
to amend its student
admissions
materials/handbook to include
an age-appropriate summary
of their Bullying Prevention
and Intervention Plan; a
description of how the

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

Student Records
Interviews
M.G.L. c. 269,
§§ 17 through
19
20 Bullying
Prevention and
Intervention
Method(s) of
Verification
Documentation
Interviews
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
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Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

Bullying Prevention and
Intervention Plan information
was distributed; and a
description of the professional
development plan developed
by the program for all staff for
the school year and evidence
of its implementation, that
included dates, format(s) used
and agendas.
(2). M.G.L. c.
71, s. 370(d).
Identified Areas of Non-Compliance from the 2009-2010 Program Review or Other Areas of Concern
1.2 Program &
Student
Description,
Program
Capacity
Interviews
Observation
During the Mid-cycle Review,
observations and interviews
revealed that the student
population Seaport Academy
is serving has changed from
those having behavioral and

Seaport Academy is
now serving students
with a diagnosis on the
Autism Spectrum
Disorder who they were
not approved to serve.
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 15 of 27
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit a written narrative
addressing each of the
following requirements as
the program was last
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

Student Records
Interviews
28.09(11);
18.05(1)(b)(117); 18.05(2);
18.05(3)(c)
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
non-verbal learning challenges
to include students diagnosed
on the Autism Spectrum.
28.09(2)(a)
(2);
28.09(2)(b)
(2, 3, 7)
5.1 Student
Admissions
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
During the Mid-cycle Review,
review of student records and
interviews revealed that 9 of
29 current students were
admitted without any medical
records and history of prior
testing or counseling even
though counseling is indicated
on their IEPs.

Seaport Academy is not
in compliance with
their admission criteria
which include proof of
a physical examination
of the student within 30
days of admission and
receipt of pertinent
records on students
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 16 of 27
approved:
 Identified population of
students to be served
 Ages of students;
 Educational
characteristics;
 Behavioral
characteristics and
 Philosophy, goals and
objectives.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit:
 Copy of written
admissions criteria from
policies and procedures
manual
 Copy of the program’s
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

from sending school
districts.
application/intake form
used for student
admissions
 Copy of the program’s
narrative description of
orientation for parents
and students upon
admission to the program
9.1(a) Student
Documentation
During the last Program

Student separation
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 17 of 27
 Copies of physical
examinations for students
who were enrolled in the
program without
physicals and evidence of
efforts to obtain copies of
medical and educational
records from sending
school districts.
By January 28, 2013,
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Separation
Resulting from
Behavior
Management
18.05(5)(i);
18.05(6, 7);
46.02(5)(b)
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
resulting from behavior
management is not
being documented.
Seaport Academy must
submit a copy of written
policies and procedures
regarding behavior
management specific to
student separation and
copies of documentation of
separation for each student
maintained in student
records or time out log.

Student Records
Interviews
Review, while Seaport
Academy had a behavior
management policy for student
separation resulting from
behavior management, student
record reviews and staff
interviews revealed that the
school did not document the
time each student was
separated from class.
While Seaport Academy
submitted a form used to
document the use of time-out
for an individual student, no
completed forms were found
in student records, and
observation revealed that
students “take space” at will,
were not supervised by staff at
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 18 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Seaport Academy is not
maintaining
documentation of
suspensions and
follow-up activities
relative to suspensions.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit a copy of the
suspension logs used for
December 2012 to the date
of submission. The name of
the student, the duration of
the suspension, where the
suspension was served and
incident reports relative to
each suspension must be
submitted.

9.5
3-5 Day
Suspensions
Documentation
18.05(6)
Interviews
Student Records
all times, one student locked
himself in a time out room
without supervision, and
documentation of student
separation was not maintained.
While Seaport Academy had a
policy for 3-5 day suspensions,
student record reviews
indicated that while
notification of suspension was
provided to parents, there was
no such documentation
provided to school districts as
required.
Of the student records that
were reviewed, no student was
suspended for 3-5 days, but
interviews revealed that a
student was suspended and left
the program with no

Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 19 of 27
Copies of documentation of
notification to parents,
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

documentation found.
9.7
Terminations
Student Records
Interviews
18.05(7);
28.09(12)(b)
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
While Seaport Academy has a
written termination policy that
includes provisions regarding
both Planned Terminations
and Emergency Terminations,
review of student records
indicated that a suspended
student did not return to the
program and evidence of
meeting minutes or
documentation from the Team
meeting regarding termination
were not found as required.

Seaport Academy is not
implementing its policy
on terminations that
includes evidence of
meeting minutes or
documentation from the
Team meeting
regarding termination.
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 20 of 27
school districts and other
appropriate parties must also
be submitted as well as
maintained in student
records.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit a copy of their
written termination policy
that meets all requirements
set forth in criterion 9.7 and
distinguishes between
planned and emergency
terminations.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Documentation
At the time of the Program
Review, block schedules and
staff interviews revealed that
Seaport Academy had one
physical education class in
which the ages of the youngest
and oldest child differed by
more than forty-eight months
and the school had not
requested a waiver from the
Department.

10.2 Age
Range
Interviews
28.06(6)(f, g)
For the Mid-cycle Review,
Seaport Academy requested a
waiver for one physical
education class in which the
ages of the youngest and
oldest child differs by more
than forty-eight months which
was denied due to issues with
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Seaport Academy does
not have an approved
waiver for the physical
education class in
which the ages of the
youngest and oldest
child differs by more
that forty-eight months
and has not submitted
waivers for elective
classes in which the
ages of the youngest
and oldest child differs
by more that forty-eight
months
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit waiver requests for
every class that exceeds the
48 month age span. For the
physical education class,
alternative plans must be
made to teach the students
this subject since this waiver
has been denied.
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 21 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

11.11
Supervision of
Students
18.03(1)(a)
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Students were observed
leaving classrooms
without permission or
supervision and going
into rooms without
windows that could be
locked from the inside,
or outside smoking in
groups.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit a detailed narrative
regarding what procedures
the staff are to follow when
a student leaves the school
building, and submit a
written log that is
maintained separately for
each student that includes
the student’s name, date of
incident, time of incident,
length of incident, name of

Observation
Student Records
the license of the teacher.
Also, the program has several
elective classes in which the
48 month age span was
exceeded and no age span
waiver requests have been
submitted to the Department.
During the Mid-cycle Review,
observation of students
revealed that students were not
always supervised both in the
building and while outside of
the building to smoke.

Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 22 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

13.2
Description of
Physical
Facility
18.04; 28.09
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 Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

Observation
During the Mid-cycle Review,
the area used as the kitchen
was not clean, well ventilated
and free from hazards. When
used for an elective cooking
class, there was no plan or
supervision for students to
clean up the dirty dishes and
utensils that were piled on
counters.

The area used as a
kitchen was not clean
and had dirty dishes
and utensils piled on
counters for several
hours.
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 23 of 27
staff who followed the
student and a description of
how the incident was
resolved. This
documentation must be
obtained and reported until
such time as Seaport is
notified in writing by the
Department.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit a plan that includes
responsibilities of students
and staff to clean up as part
of their lesson and which
staff will be responsible to
ensure the area is clean and
organized each morning
before classes and after each
class so that the area is
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

15.5 Parent
Consent and
Required
Notification
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting

Documentation
Student Records
Interviews
18.05(5)(c);
18.05(8);
18.05(9)(f)(1);
18.05 (9)(j);
M.G.L. c. 71, §
32A
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
During the last Program
Review, while Seaport
Academy had a policy to work
with school districts to obtain
annual parental consents, the
school did not provide parents
with notification concerning
curriculum that primarily
involved human sexual
education or human sexuality
issues as required under
Parental Notification Law
M.G.L. c. 71, § 32A.
Student Record review
indicated that the school now
provides parents with
notification concerning
curriculum that primarily

A review of student
records revealed that
Seaport Academy
requests parental
permission for students
to smoke.
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 24 of 27
maintained in a sanitary
manner.
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit a copy of all consent
forms that will be used
moving forward and a
statement of assurances that
permission to smoke
consents will no longer be
obtained.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Only one of 29 students
at Seaport Academy
has evidence of a
yearly dental
examination, and nine
students were admitted
to the program without
any evidence of
preventative health care
screenings, medical and
dental examinations
and immunizations.
By January 28, 2013
Seaport Academy must
submit a chart that includes
the following:
 Each student’s name
with the dates of the
most recent examination
or screening,
specifically:
 Physical examination
 Dental examination
 Vision screening
 Postural screening
 Hearing screening

16.7
Preventive
Health Care
Documentation
18.05(9)(g)
M.G.L. c. 71, §
57
M.G.L. c. 111,
§ 111.
Interviews
Student Records
involved human sexual
education or human sexuality
issues as required under
Parental Notification Law
M.G.L. c. 71, § 32A.
Student record review and
staff interviews revealed that
not all students had received
an annual dental examination
as required. While the school
has developed a plan to ensure
that vision, hearing, and
postural screenings occur,
there is no tracking system to
monitor follow up requests for
completion and documentation
of the required screenings.

Documentation, student record
review, and interviews
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 25 of 27
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation

Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance

revealed that only one of 29
students had evidence of a
yearly dental exam and nine of
29 students had no evidence of
having a medical exam, dental
exam or any screenings.
16.12 No
Smoking
Policy
M.G.L. c. 71, §
37H
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
Student Records
Interviews
While Seaport Academy has a
written No Smoking Policy,
students were observed
smoking outside the front
door.
For any of the screenings
that are not required for a
particular student based on
their age, write “Not
Applicable due to age” in
the spot reserved for the
date.

During the Mid-cycle
Review, it was
discovered that Seaport
Academy sends
parental permission
forms to
parents/guardians
allowing permission for
students to smoke on
school property. While
this is not only
Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 26 of 27
By January 28, 2013,
Seaport Academy must
submit their written policy
that prohibits the use of any
tobacco products within the
program buildings, the
program facilities or on the
program grounds or on
buses by any individual,
including school staff. In
addition, Seaport Academy
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation
Status of
Requirements
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented

Method(s) of
Verification
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented
or
Additional
Issues
Identified
Findings Regarding
Incomplete
Implementation of
Approved Corrective
Action Plan or
Identification of
Additional Issues of
Noncompliance
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and
Further Progress
Reporting
unacceptable, students
whose parents have not
granted such
permission were
observed to be outside
on the school grounds
smoking.
must describe who will
enforce this policy
throughout the school day
and how this will be
monitored.

Schools for Children, Inc. Seaport Academy Day Program Mid-cycle Review Report
January 9, 2013
Page 27 of 27
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education
SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN, INC.
SEAPORT ACADEMY DAY PROGRAM
A PRIVATE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM OPERATED PURSUANT TO
603 CMR 18.00 AND 28.09
197 8th Street
Charlestown, MA 02019
Program Rate Based on: 19 Students
Approved Enrollment: 28 Students
Day Program
Summer Program
Residential Program
10 month program
11 month program
12 month program
APPROVED STUDENT:LICENSED EDUCATOR RATIO: 5:1
APPROVED STUDENT:LICENSED EDUCATOR:AIDE RATIO: Not Applicable
APPROVAL STATUS
PROBATIONARY
Expires on: March 7, 2013
The current approval is a result of a Mid-cycle Review conducted in the 2012-2013 school year.
HELEN M. MURGIDA, EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST, PROGRAM QUALITY ASSURANCE
SERVICES
NINA M. MARCHESE, SUPERVISOR, PROGRAM QUALITY ASSURANCE SERVICES
DARLENE A. LYNCH, DIRECTOR, PROGRAM QUALITY ASSURANCE SERVICES
DATE ISSUED
1/9/13