MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Program Quality Assurance Services
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

Charter School or District: Holyoke

CPR Onsite Year: 2012-2013

Program Area: Special Education

All corrective action must be fully implemented and all noncompliance corrected as soon as possible and no later than one year from the issuance of the Coordinated Program Review Final Report dated 03/20/2013.

Mandatory One-Year Compliance Date: 03/20/2014

Summary of Required Corrective Action Plans in this Report

Criterion / Criterion Title / CPR Rating
SE 2 / Required and optional assessments / Partially Implemented
SE 3 / Special requirements for determination of specific learning disability / Partially Implemented
SE 4 / Reports of assessment results / Partially Implemented
SE 6 / Determination of transition services / Partially Implemented
SE 7 / Transfer of parental rights at age of majority and student participation and consent at the age of majority / Partially Implemented
SE 8 / IEP Team composition and attendance / Partially Implemented
SE 9 / Timeline for determination of eligibility and provision of documentation to parent / Partially Implemented
SE 10 / End of school year evaluations / Partially Implemented
SE 12 / Frequency of re-evaluation / Partially Implemented
SE 13 / Progress Reports and content / Partially Implemented
SE 14 / Review and revision of IEPs / Partially Implemented
SE 18A / IEP development and content / Partially Implemented
SE 18B / Determination of placement; provision of IEP to parent / Partially Implemented
SE 20 / Least restrictive program selected / Partially Implemented
SE 24 / Notice to parent regarding proposal or refusal to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child or the provision of FAPE / Partially Implemented
SE 25 / Parental consent / Partially Implemented
SE 27 / Content of Team meeting notice to parents / Partially Implemented
SE 29 / Communications are in English and primary language of home / Partially Implemented
SE 34 / Continuum of alternative services and placements / Partially Implemented
SE 37 / Procedures for approved and unapproved out-of-district placements / Partially Implemented
SE 40 / Instructional grouping requirements for students aged five and older / Partially Implemented
SE 41 / Age span requirements / Partially Implemented
SE 46 / Procedures for suspension of students with disabilities when suspensions exceed 10 consecutive school days or a pattern has developed for suspensions exceeding 10 cumulative days; responsibilities of the Team; responsibilities of the district / Partially Implemented
SE 48 / FAPE (Free, appropriate, public education): Equal opportunity to participate in educational, nonacademic, extracurricular and ancillary programs, as well as participation in regular education / Partially Implemented
SE 51 / Appropriate special education teacher licensure / Partially Implemented
SE 54 / Professional development / Partially Implemented
SE 55 / Special education facilities and classrooms / Partially Implemented
CR 3 / Access to a full range of education programs / Partially Implemented
CR 7 / Information to be translated into languages other than English / Partially Implemented
CR 8 / Accessibility of extracurricular activities / Partially Implemented
CR 9 / Hiring and employment practices of prospective employers of students / Partially Implemented
CR 10 / Anti-Hazing Reports / Partially Implemented
CR 10A / Student handbooks and codes of conduct / Partially Implemented
CR 11A / Designation of coordinator(s); grievance procedures / Partially Implemented
CR 12A / Annual and continuous notification concerning nondiscrimination and coordinators / Partially Implemented
CR 14 / Counseling and counseling materials free from bias and stereotypes / Partially Implemented
CR 15 / Non-discriminatory administration of scholarships, prizes and awards / Partially Implemented
CR 16 / Notice to students 16 or over leaving school without a high school diploma, certificate of attainment, or certificate of completion / Partially Implemented
CR 17A / Use of physical restraint on any student enrolled in a publicly-funded education program / Partially Implemented
CR 18 / Responsibilities of the school principal / Partially Implemented
CR 20 / Staff training on confidentiality of student records / Partially Implemented
CR 21 / Staff training regarding civil rights responsibilities / Partially Implemented
CR 23 / Comparability of facilities / Partially Implemented
CR 24 / Curriculum review / Partially Implemented
CR 25 / Institutional self-evaluation / Partially Implemented
CR 26A / Confidentiality and student records / Partially Implemented
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 2 Required and optional assessments / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Student records and staff interviews indicated that the district does not consistently provide educational assessments, including a history of the student's educational progress in the general curriculum and teacher assessment that addresses attention skills, participation behaviors, communication skills, memory and social relations with groups, peers and adults. Student records also indicated that in some cases, the district did not complete consented-to assessments in the area of suspected disability.
Description of Corrective Action:
Prior to 01SEP13, update the district Special Education Handbook, SE 02 Required and Optional Assessments.
Prior to 15SEP13, provide professional development to all: team leaders, related service provider supervisors, related service providers, and special education teachers on the requirements of SE Criterion #2.
By 01MAR14, review 1 completed evaluation IEP from each team leader (13) for inclusion of an educational assessment and completion of consented to assessments.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Carol Hepworth, Director of Special Education
Adam Garand, Assistant Director of Special Education / Expected Date of Completion:
03/20/2014
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Updated Special Education Handbook documents - SE 02 Required and Optional Assessments, SE 22 Generation of Draft and Completed IEPs, SE 22 SpEd Admin Review and Mailing of Completed IEPs to the Parent/Guardian, and PD attendance sheet(s) for all personnel identified in the Description Section. Review data for each submitted evaluation IEP packet.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
By 01MAR14, document completion of PD, review Special Education Handbook sections SE 02 and SE 22, and complete review of 13 submitted evaluation IEP packets.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 2 Required and optional assessments / Corrective Action Plan Status: Partially Approved
Status Date:05/09/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
The district's proposal does not describe a method to internally track receipt of consent forms and the completion of all assessments indicated on the consent form on an ongoing basis.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Establish a method to track receipt of consent forms and the completion of all assessments indicated on the consent form. Please note increased sample size for each Team Leader for internal monitoring.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district will provide a narrative description of their new procedures related to the completion of Educational Assessment A and B forms along with evidence of staff training on these procedures, which will include but not be limited to a training agenda, attendance sheet and copies of the materials presented. Please submit this to the Department on or before by October 17, 2013.
Submit the description of the internal oversight and tracking system and identify the person(s) responsible for the oversight, including the date of the system's implementation. Submit this information by October 17, 2013.
Submit the results of an administrative review of 3 student records for each Team Leader. Indicate the number of records reviewed, the number found to be compliant, an explanation of the root cause for any continued noncompliance and a description of additional corrective actions taken by the district to address any identified noncompliance. Please submit this to the Department on or before by January 6, 2014.
*Please note when conducting administrative monitoring the district must maintain the following documentation and make it available to the Department upon request: a) List of student names and grade levels for the records reviewed; b) Date of the review; c) Name of person(s) who conducted the review, with their role(s) and signature(s).
Progress Report Due Date(s):
10/17/2013
01/06/2014

1

MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services

Holyoke CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 3 Special requirements for determination of specific learning disability / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Student records and staff interviews indicated that the district does not consistently complete the required written eligibility determination and the four components used to determine eligibility: Historic review and educational assessment (SLD 1), Area of concern and evaluation method (SLD 2), Exclusionary factors (SLD 3) and Observation (SLD 4) for students suspected of having a specific learning disability.
Description of Corrective Action:
Prior to 01SEP13, update the district Special Education Handbook, SE 03 Requirements for completion of SLD forms.
Prior to 15SEP13, provide professional development to all: team leaders, related service provider supervisors, related service providers, and special education teachers on the requirements of SE Criterion 03.
By 01MAR14, review 1 submitted evaluation IEP from each team leader in which the student was found eligible due to an SLD.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Carol Hepworth, Director of Special Education
Adam Garand, Assistant Director of Special Education / Expected Date of Completion:
03/20/2014
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Updated document - SE 03 Requirements for completion of SLD forms, and PD attendance sheet(s) for all personnel identified in the Description Section, reviews of submitted evaluation IEPs in which the student was found eligible due to an SLD.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
By 01MAR14, document completion of PD, review Special Education Handbook sections SE 03, and complete review of submitted evaluation IEPs from each team leader in which the student was found eligible due to an SLD.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 3 Special requirements for determination of specific learning disability / Corrective Action Plan Status: Partially Approved
Status Date:05/09/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
The district's proposal does not describe a method to internally track completion of SLD forms for a determination of SLD.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Establish a method to internally track the completion of all components of the SLD eligibility process. Please note increased sample size for each Team Leader for internal monitoring.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district will provide a narrative description of their new procedures related to the completion of forms and the written determination for specific learning disabilities (SLD) form along with evidence of staff training on these procedures, which will include but not be limited to a training agenda, attendance sheet and copies of the materials presented. Please submit this to the Department on or before by October 17, 2013.
Submit the description of the internal oversight and tracking system and identify the person(s) responsible for the oversight, including the date of the system's implementation. Submit this information by October 17, 2013.
Submit the results of an administrative review of three student records for completion of SLD forms from each Team Leader. Indicate the number of records reviewed, the number found to be compliant, an explanation of the root cause for any continued noncompliance and a description of additional corrective actions taken by the district to address any identified noncompliance. Please submit this to the Department on or before by January 6, 2014.
*Please note when conducting administrative monitoring the district must maintain the following documentation and make it available to the Department upon request: a) List of student names and grade levels for the records reviewed; b) Date of the review; c) Name of person(s) who conducted the review, with their role(s) and signature(s).
Progress Report Due Date(s):
10/17/2013
01/06/2014

1

MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services

Holyoke CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 4 Reports of assessment results / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Student records and staff interviews indicated that assessment summaries do not always include the procedures employed or diagnostic impressions and do not provide details that identify the student's educational needs or offer explicit means of meeting the needs. Student records also indicated that the assessment summaries are not always available for parents two days prior to the Team meeting.
Description of Corrective Action:
Prior to 01SEP13, update the district Special Education Handbook, SE 04 Contents for Assessment Reports; send to each evaluator, a letter describing requirements of them to meet this criteria.
Prior to 15SEP13, provide professional development to all: team leaders, related service provider supervisors, related service providers, and special education teachers on the requirements of SE Criterion #4.
By 01MAR14, all related service provider supervisors or designees where no supervisor exists, shall review 1 completed assessment from each related service therapist/assessor to evaluate compliance with this criterion.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Carol Hepworth, Director of Special Education
Adam Garand, Assistant Director of Special Education / Expected Date of Completion:
03/20/2014
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Updated document - SE 04 Contents for Assessment Reports, and PD attendance sheet(s) for all personnel identified in the Description Section. A completed review of a completed assessment by each related service therapist/assessor.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
By 01MAR14, document completion of PD, review Special Education Handbook sections SE 04, and collect and review each completed review.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 4 Reports of assessment results / Corrective Action Plan Status: Partially Approved
Status Date:05/09/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
The district's proposal does not describe a method to internally track completion of assessment reports and the assessment summary availability if parents request them two days prior to the Team meeting. Note increased sample size from 1 record to 2 per individual.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Establish an internal oversight and tracking system to ensure that assessment summaries contain all required content and are available two days prior to IEP meetings should parents request them. This internal oversight system will be an ongoing part of district practices.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district will provide a narrative description of the updated procedures related to content for assessment reports (procedures employed, diagnostic impressions, details on educational needs and a description of how to meet the needs), as well as availability of assessment summaries prior to Team Meetings along with evidence of staff training on these procedures, which will include but not be limited to a training agenda, attendance sheet and copies of the materials presented. Please submit this to the Department on or before by October 17, 2013.
Submit the description of the internal oversight and tracking system and identify the person(s) responsible for the oversight, including the date of the system's implementation. Submit this information by October 17, 2013.
Submit the results of an administrative review of two student records for each assessor for 1) content of assessment summaries and 2) their completion/availability 2 days prior to the date of the IEP meeting. Indicate the number of records reviewed, the number found to be compliant, an explanation of the root cause for any continued noncompliance and a description of additional corrective actions taken by the district to address any identified noncompliance. Please submit this to the Department on or before by January 6, 2014
*Please note when conducting administrative monitoring the district must maintain the following documentation and make it available to the Department upon request: a) List of student names and grade levels for the records reviewed; b) Date of the review; c) Name of person(s) who conducted the review, with their role(s) and signature(s).
Progress Report Due Date(s):
10/17/2013
01/06/2014

1

MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services

Holyoke CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 6 Determination of transition services / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Student records and staff interviews indicated that 14-year old students are not consistently invited to Team meetings. Student record review also demonstrated that Transition Planning Forms are not annually updated for all students of transition age.
Description of Corrective Action:
Prior to 01SEP13, update the district Special Education Handbook, SE 22 IEP Implementation and Availability.
Prior to15SEP13, provide professional development to all: team leaders on the requirements of SE Criterion #6, On 12APR 13, provide professional development by DDS personnel to team leaders on transition planning.
By 01MAR14, review 1 submitted IEP, for a student age 14 or older, for each team leader working with students age 14 or older.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Carol Hepworth, Director of Special Education
Adam Garand, Assistant Director of Special Education / Expected Date of Completion:
03/20/2014
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Updated document(s) - SE 22 IEP Implementation and Availability, PD attendance sheet(s) for all personnel identified in the Description Section, and completed reviews of each reviewed IEP for a student age 14 or older
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
By 01MAR14, document completion of PD, review Special Education Handbook sections SE 22, and collect and evaluate each completed review.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 6 Determination of transition services / Corrective Action Plan Status: Partially Approved
Status Date:05/09/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
The district's proposal does not describe a method to internally track the annual review of the TPF on an ongoing basis.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Establish a method to internally track the completion and annual updating of the TPF on an ongoing basis.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
The district will provide a narrative description of the updated procedures related to inviting 14 year old students to IEP Team meetings and the process used to update Transition Planning Forms annually along with evidence of staff training on these procedures, which will include but not be limited to a training agenda, attendance sheet and copies of the materials presented. Please submit this to the Department on or before by October 17, 2013.
Submit the description of the internal oversight and tracking system and identify the person(s) responsible for the oversight, including the date of the system's implementation. Submit this information by October 17, 2013.
Submit the results of an administrative review of student records for (a) invitation to the Team meeting and (b) annual updates to the Transition Planning Form. Indicate the number of records reviewed at each middle school and high school, the number found to be compliant, an explanation of the root cause for any continued noncompliance and a description of additional corrective actions taken by the district to address any identified noncompliance. Please submit this to the Department on or before by January 6, 2014.
*Please note when conducting administrative monitoring the district must maintain the following documentation and make it available to the Department upon request: a) List of student names and grade levels for the records reviewed; b) Date of the review; c) Name of person(s) who conducted the review, with their role(s) and signature(s).
Progress Report Due Date(s):
10/17/2013
01/06/2014

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