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
January 9, 2008
George Harmon, Executive Director
Whitney Academy
85 Dr. Braley Road POBox 619
East Freetown, MA 02717
Re: Onsite Follow-up Monitoring Report: Program Review Corrective
Action Plan Verification and Mid-cycle Review
Dear Mr. Harmon:
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 July 26, 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 2011, 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 781-338-3717.
Sincerely,
Betsy Holcombe, Program Review Follow-up Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
c:
Jeffrey Nellhaus, Acting Commissioner of Education
Nicole Parent, Local Program Review Coordinator
Encl.: Follow-up Monitoring Report
Full Private School Approval Certificate, Expiration Date: August 31, 2011
Page 2 of 2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PRIVATE SCHOOL MID-CYCLE PROGRAM REVIEW
Whitney Academy
ONSITE VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND/OR IDENTIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REQUIRING CORRECTIVE ACTION
Program Review Report: July 26, 2005
Action Plan Submitted: November 6, 2005
Mid-cycle Onsite Visit Conducted: December 19, 2007
Date of this Report: January 9, 2008
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation Status of
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
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 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)

Documentation
Interviews
All Approvals, Licenses, and
Certificates of Inspection have
been submitted and approved.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 1 of 11
Further Corrective Action
Ordered by the
Department of Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation Status of
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


2.3
EEC Licensure
102 CMR 3.00
(NA for Public
Day Schools)
7.4
High School
Diplomas and
Certificates of
Attendance
M.G.L. c. 69,
§ 1D;
Administrative
Advisory
SPED 2002-4REVISED:
Special
Education
Students in
Out-of-District
PlacementsParticipation
in MCAS
Testing and
High School

Documentation
The current EEC License has
been submitted and approved.

Documentation
The updated High School
Diplomas and Certificates of
Attendance policy has been
submitted and approved.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 2 of 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
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


Graduation
Standards
8.4
Program
Modifications
and Support
Services for
Limited
English
Proficient
Students
M.G.L. c. 71A;
Title VI
8.5
Current IEP &
Student Roster
28.09(5)(a)
8.8
IEP – Progress
Reports
State: 28.07(3);
Federal 20
U.S.C. Chapter
33, Section

Documentation
Interviews
The updated Program
Modifications and Support
Services for Limited English
Proficient Students policy has
been submitted and approved.

Documentation
The current student IEP roster
containing all required
elements has been submitted
and approved.

Documentation
Interviews
The guidelines for IEP Progress
Reports have been submitted
and approved. Review of
student records show that
progress reports are included.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 3 of 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
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


1414(d)(1)(A)(
viii)
34 CFR
300.320(a)(3)(i,
ii
9.1(a)
Student
Separation
resulting from
Behavior
Management
18.05(5)(i);
46.02(5)(b)
11.3
Educational
Administrator
Qualifications
28.09(5)(a);
28.09(7)(a);
603 CMR
44.00
11.4
Teachers
(Special
Education

Documentation
Observation
The guidelines for Student
Separation /Time Out have
been submitted and approved.

Documentation
The Educational Administrator
meets all requirements.

Documentation
The teacher roster containing
all required elements has been
submitted.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 4 of 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
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


Teachers and
Regular
Education
Teachers)
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)
12.2(c)
Details about
Required
TrainingCPR
Certification
18.05(9)(e)

Documentation
The related services staff roster
containing all required
elements has been submitted
and approved.

Documentation
The master staff roster
containing all required
elements has been submitted
and approved.

Documentation
The staff training plan for CPR
certification has been submitted
and approved.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 5 of 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
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


14.4
Visiting, Mail
and
Telephones
(Residential
Schools Only)
18.03(9)(a) and
(b)
16.3
Nursing
18.05(9)(b)
16.11
Student
Allergies
18.05(9)(h)
16.12
No Smoking
Policy
M.G.L. c. 71, §
37H

Documentation
The current visiting, mail and
telephones policy has been
submitted and approved.

Documentation
Observation
The School has a Registered
Nurse available for student
health care.

Documentation
The updated Student Allergies
policy has been submitted and
approved.

Documentation
Observation
The updated No Smoking
policy has been submitted and
approved.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 6 of 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
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
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 Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting


Identified Areas of Non-Compliance During Previous Program Review or Other Areas of Concern
4.5
Immediate
Notification
18.03(10);
18.05(7);
28.09(12) (a, b)
6.1
Daily
Instructional
Hours
603 CMR
27.00;
28.09(9)(a)
7.1
Curriculum
Frameworks
28.05(4)(a, b);
28.09(9)(b)

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
The School has submitted
immediate notification policies
and procedures, and it is
meeting all notification
requirements.

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
The School has submitted a
schedule which meets the daily
instructional hour requirements.

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
The students have essential
learning opportunities to
prepare them to reach the state
graduation standards.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 7 of 11
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation Status of
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


9.3
Runaway
Students
18.03(10)
12.2
In-Service
Training Plan
and Calendar
28.09(7)(f);
28.09(9)(b);
28.09(10);
18.03(3);
18.05(9)(e)(1);
18.05(10);
18.05(11)(h)
Title VI: 42
U.S.C. 2000d;
34 CFR 100.3;
EEOA: 20
U.S.C. 1703(f);
Title IX: 20
U.S.C. 1681;
34 CFR

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
The updated runaway student
policy has been submitted and
approved.

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
Staff are receiving all required
trainings and will include the
documentation of the training
in personnel records.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 8 of 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
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


106.31-106.42;
M.G.L. c. 76,
§ 5; 603 CMR
26.00, esp.
26.07(2, 3)
13.4
Physical
Facility/Archi
tectural
Barriers
18.04(8);
Section 504:
29 U.S.C.
794; 34 CFR
104.21,104.22
; Title II: 42
U.S.C. 12132;
28 CFR
35.149,
35.150; Mass.
Const.
amend. art.
114

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
The Horton Street residence is
able to accommodate students
with physical limitations. The
School building is accessible.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 9 of 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
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
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 Education
and Timelines for
Implementation and Further
Progress Reporting


13.7
Library/Resource Room
18.04(6)(b)
15.1
Parental
Involvement
and Parents’
Advisory
Group
18.05(4)(a)
15.5
Parent
Consent
18.05(5)(c);
18.05(8);
18.05(9)(f)(1)

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
There is a separate library and
resource room available to
students.

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
Parents are invited to attend
two meetings a year.

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
Most required consents are
being provided and annually
updated.

Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 10 of 11
The Parental Notification
concerning human sexual
education curriculum and
the research,
experimentation,
fundraising, publicity and
observation consents are
not being provided or
annually reviewed.
All consents will be provided to
parents, annually reviewed, and
included in student files, by
February 15, 2008.
Criterion
Number
and
Topic
Implementation Status of
Requirement
s
or
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be
Substantially
Implemented
Method(s) of
Verifica-tion
Comments Regarding
Corrective Action Plan
Implementation
Corrective
Action Plan
Determined
to be Not
Fully
Implemented or
Additional
Issues
Identified


17.1
Transportation
Safety
28.09(11)(b)

Documentation
Observation
Interviews
The staff are receiving training
in transporting in a safe
manner.
Whitney Academy Program Review Mid-cycle Report
January 9, 2008
Page 11 of 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