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 August 16, 2005 Thomas Drooger, Executive Director Stevens Children’s Home 24 Main Street Swansea, MA 02777 Re: Onsite Follow-up Monitoring Report: Program Review Corrective Action Plan Verification and Mid-cycle Review Dear Mr. Drooger: 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 October 12, 2001. 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. While the Department of Education found certain noncompliance issues to be resolved in the majority of compliance areas, the Department has issued mandated corrective action in other areas as listed below. You will find these requirements for corrective action and further progress reporting included in the attached report together with any steps that must be taken by the school to fully implement new special education requirements. Please provide the Department with your written assurance that the Department's requirements for corrective action will be implemented by your private school within the timelines specified. Your statement of assurance must be submitted to the Department's Onsite Chairperson by August 31, 2005. 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. 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 completion of approved progress reports and 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. 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 2007, 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 781-338-3746. Sincerely, Kevin Bobetich, Program Review Follow-up Chairperson Program Quality Assurance Services John D. Stager, Administrator Program Quality Assurance Services c: David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education Encl.: Follow-up Monitoring Report 2 MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW The Stevens Children’s Home ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION Onsite Visit Conducted on May 31, 2005 Date of this Report August 16, 2005 Criterion Number and Topic 1.3 Program’s Curriculum 28.09(9) 2.2 Approvals, Licenses, Certificates of 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 Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has developed a curriculum that meets the diverse needs of the student population and provides students with essential learning opportunities that prepare students to reach the state graduation standards. Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has current licenses, approvals, and certificates of inspection by state and local 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 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 Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified agencies as required. Inspection 28.09 (2)(b)4-5 28.09(5) 28.09(6) 18.04(1) 102 CMR 3.06 (4)(b) 2.3 OCCS Licensure (Not Applicable to Day Schools) Documentation review, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has a current full license from the Office of Child Care Services to operate as a residential school. 4.2 Public Information and Postings 28.0996)(a,b,c, d,e) 28.09(20(b)(4) Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home maintains postings of all certificates and licenses that are available for public review including an organizational chart, first aid, medical and emergency procedures, location of the nearest telephones within each building and emergency telephone numbers. 2 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 Reporting Criterion Number and Topic 4.4 Advanced Notice of Program/ Facility Change 28.09(5)(c) 4.5 Immediate Notification 18.03(10) 18.05(7) 28.09(12) 5.2 Policies and Procedures for Coordination/ Collaboration with Public 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 Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has notified the Department prior to any substantial changes by submitting a Form 1. The most recent notification was on August 3, 2004 regarding changes to the residences, including increasing the number of single bedrooms and increasing the availability of common areas within the residences. Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has made immediate notification to the Department for all serious incidents as required, including students who runaway. The Stevens Children’s Home has policies and procedures for the contents of coordination and collaboration with Public School Districts as required. Documentation review, Interviews, Observations 3 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 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 School Districts & Content requirements policies/procedures for Coordination/ Collaboration with Public School Districts 28.06(2-3) 28.09(9)(c)&(d) 28.09(2)(b)7 Federal Regulations: 300.349 and 300.400-.401 6.1 Daily Instructional Hours 603 C.M.R. 27.00 Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Documentation review, Interviews The Stevens Children’s Home provides an average annual minimum of at least 5 instructional hours per school day for elementary students and 5 and a half 4 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 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 instructional hours per school day for secondary students. 6.2 School-to-work (Instructional hours) 603 CMR 27.02, 27.04 6.3 Kindergarten (Instructional hours) 603 CMR 27.03(5) 6.4 School Days per Year 28.09(9) N/A Documentation review, Interviews, Observations N/A Documentation review, Interviews, Observations Documentation review, Interviews As a 12-month program, the Stevens Children’s Home provides a minimum of 216 school days, and at least 5 additional school days to account for unforeseen circumstances on the school year schedule as required. 6.5 Documentation review, Interviews The Stevens Children’s Home has a policy and procedure for the early release of high school Early Release of High School Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified 5 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 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 seniors that follows the requirements of 603 CMR 27.05. Seniors 603 CMR 27.05 7.1 Curriculum Frameworks 28.09(9)(b) Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Documentation review, Interviews The Stevens Children’s Home staff have an understanding of the connection between the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and the expectations of the state for student performance. The Stevens Children’s Home has a written procedure outlining how the school will ensure that all enrolled students participate in state and/or district wide assessments in accordance with the assessment participation information provided on the student’s IEP. The Stevens Children’s Home has on file, a current IEP for each enrolled Massachusetts student that 7.3 State/District Wide Assessments 28.09(9)(d) Documentation review, Interviews 8.4 Current IEP and Student Roster Documentation review 6 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 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 Implemen-ted 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 Reporting The Stevens Children’s Home progress reports do not consistently address the student’s progress toward the annual goals in the IEP, including information on the extent to which such progress is sufficient to enable the child to achieve the goals by the end of the year. The Stevens Children’s Home must provide training for all teaching staff on writing student progress reports by September 30, 2005. This training must include the specific information that must be included in all quarterly progress reports. Copies of the training agenda as well as the staff sign in sheets must be submitted to the Department by September 30, 2005. 28.09 8.8 IEP-Progress Reports 28.07(3) 20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Section 14149d)(10(A)( viiii) 34 CFR 300.347 Documentation review, Interviews, Observations has been issued by the responsible public school district and consented to by the student’s parent(s) or student in applicable situations. The Stevens Children’s Home sends copies, at least quarterly, of educational progress reports to the parents and public school. A policy and procedure for the completion of quarterly progress reports must be developed and included in the Policies and Procedures Manual and submitted to the Department by September 1, 2005. 7 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 Implemen-ted 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 Reporting A random sample of the progress reports of five students must be submitted to the Department by November 1, 2005 to ensure that all quarterly progress reports contain all required information. 8.10 IEP- Less Restrictive Placement 28.09(9(c) Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has a plan for ensuring that there are flexible procedures and mechanisms that maximize opportunities for enrolled students to gain the capacity to return to a less restrictive educational program. 9.3 Runaway Students Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has developed a runaway policy that includes immediate notification to the Department. Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home maintains a student to teacher ratio in each classroom of up to 8 18.03(10) 10.1 Student: Teacher Ratios 28.06(6)(d)&(g 8 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 students with one appropriately licensed teacher and an aide. ) 28.09(7)(e) 10.4 Student: Child Care Ratios 28.09(7) 18.01(2) 11.1 Personnel Policies 28.09(7) 28.09(11)(a) 18.05(11) 11.3 Educational Administrator Qualifications 28.09(7)(a) 603 CMR 44.00 and 44.04 11.4 Teachers Special Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home maintains the appropriate student to childcare worker ratio during all three shifts as required. Documentation review, Interviews, Observations Staff evaluations are now completed per the school’s written policy. Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has an Educational Administrator with the appropriate credentials. Documentation review, Interviews, The Stevens Children’s Home has ensured that all teaching staff have teaching 9 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 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 Education Teachers and Regular Education Teachers 28.09(7)(b)(c) 18.05(11)(f) Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Observations certification or appropriate waivers appropriate to meet the needs of the population being served. 11.5 Related Services Staff 28.09(7)(d) Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home staff who are providing or supervising related services are appropriately certified, licensed or registered by their respective state boards or professional associations. 11.6 Master Staff Roster 28.09(7) Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home maintains a master list of all staff for every position within the program as required. 11.7 Job Descriptions 18.05(11)(d) 11.8 Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has written job descriptions for all staff positions. Documentation The Stevens Children’s 10 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 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 Salary Ranges 18.05(11)(e) Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified review, Interviews, Observations Documentation review, Interviews, Observations Home has salary ranges for all staff positions. The Stevens Children’s Home has developed and implemented a detailed plan that describes how appropriate supervision is provided to students while they are engaged in any school-related activity on and off school grounds. All extracurricular activities at Stevens Children’s Home are non-discriminatory. 11.9 Organizational Structure 28.09(7) 28.07(c) 11.11 Supervision of Students 28.09(7) Documentation review, Interviews, Observations 11.12 Accessibility of Extracurricula r Activities Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has demonstrated that its organizational structure provides for the effective and efficient operation of the school, supervision of school staff and supervision of students. Title VI: 42 U.S.C. 2000d; 11 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 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 Implemen-ted 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 Reporting Documentation review indicated that not all staff receive an average of a minimum of two hours a month of in-service training and all of the mandated trainings The Stevens Children’s Home must develop a written policy to be approved by the Department that ensures that all staff receive the annual mandated trainings that are consistent with the needs of the 34 CFR 100.3(a), (b); Title IX: 20 U.S.C. 1681; 34 CFR 106.31, 106.41; Section 504: 29 U.S.C. 794; 34 CFR 104.4,104.37(a) , (c); Title II: 42 U.S.C. 12132; 28 CFR 35.130; NCLB: Title X, Part C, Sec. 721; Mass. Const. amend. art 114; M.G.L. c. 76, s. 5; 603 CMR 26.06 12.2 Annual InService Training Plan and Calendar 28.09(7)(f) 18.05(11)(h) Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has developed a written plan for annual training that is consistent with the needs of the student population, and appropriate to the role of each staff 12 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 Implemen-ted 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 Reporting member. including MCAS implementation, medication administration, and Curriculum Frameworks training. student population and appropriate to the role of each staff member by October 1, 2005. A random sample of the training records of ten staff (at least one staff from each discipline area) must be submitted to the Department by November 1, 2005 to ensure that staff are receiving all required trainings. Please be sure to include an updated 2005-2006 staff training calendar as well as a master staff roster. 13 Criterion Number and Topic 12.2(i) Staff Evaluations 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 Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has completed written performance evaluations for staff. 18.05(11)©1 14 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 Reporting Criterion Number and Topic 13.3 Comparability of Facilities Implementation Status of Requirements or Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Substantially Implemented Method(s) of Verification Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home does not provide separate facilities for members of a separate group. Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home now posts a list of student food allergies in all appropriate areas of the Title VI: 42 U.S.C. 2000d; 34 CFR 100.3(b)(2); Title IX: 20 U.S.C. 1681; 34 CFR 106.33,106.40( b)(3); Section 504: 29 U.S.C. 794; 34 CFR 104.34(c); Mass. Const. amend. art. 114; 603 CMR 28.03(1)(b) 13.4 Kitchen, Dining, Bathing/Toilet, Comments Regarding Corrective Action Plan Implementation 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 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 residence and kitchen. and Living Areas 18.04(2 ,3 ,4 ,5) 15.1 Parental Involvement and Parents’ Advisory Group 18.05(4)(a) Documentation review, Interviews, Observations 15.3 Information to be translated into Languages other than English Documentation review, Interviews, Observations Title VI; EEOA: 20 U.S.C. 1703(f); M.G.L. c. 76, s. 5; 603 CMR 26.02(2) Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified The Stevens Children’s Home has developed a written plan for involving parents, and has a Parent’s Advisory Group that meets four times a year and advises the school on matters that pertain to the education, health and safety pf the students enrolled. The Stevens Children’s Home has a policy on procedures to be followed in the event that general announcements and notices of extracurricular activities need to be translated into languages other than English. 16 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 Reporting Criterion Number and Topic 15.8 Registering Complaints 18.05(1)(b)16 Title IX: 20 U.S.C. 1681; 34 CFR 106.8; Section 504: 29 U.S.C. 794; 34 CFR 104.7; Title II: 42 U.S.C. 12132; 28 CFR 35.107; NCLB: Title X, Part C, Sec. 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) 16.7 Preventive Health Care 18.05(9)(f)(9)(h ) 18.2 Student Records 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 Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Documentation review, Interviews, Observations The Stevens Children’s Home has developed and made available to parents and students a set of written procedures used to register complaints. Documentation review, Interviews, Observations Documentation review, Interviews, The Stevens Children’s Home has developed and implemented a written plan for protecting a student from exposure to foods, chemicals, or other materials to which they are allergic. The Stevens Children’s Home has all of the requirements for the face 17 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 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 28.09(10) MGL c. 71, s. 34H 603 CMR 23.00 Corrective Action Plan Determined to be Not Fully Implemen-ted or Additional Issues Identified Observations sheet including a recent picture, and all contact information. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 18 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 Reporting