Program Quality Assurance Services
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Charter School or District: Manchester Essex Regional
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 03/07/2013.
Mandatory One-Year Compliance Date: 03/07/2014
Summary of Required Corrective Action Plans in this Report
Criterion / Criterion Title / CPR RatingSE 14 / Review and revision of IEPs / Partially Implemented
SE 18A / IEP development and content / Partially Implemented
SE 20 / Least restrictive program selected / Partially Implemented
CR 3 / Access to a full range of education programs / Partially Implemented
CR 7B / Structured learning time / Partially Implemented
CR 8 / Accessibility of extracurricular activities / Partially Implemented
CR 9 / Hiring and employment practices of prospective employers of students / Partially Implemented
CR 10A / Student handbooks and codes of conduct / Partially Implemented
CR 12A / Annual and continuous notification concerning nondiscrimination and coordinators / Partially Implemented
CR 15 / Non-discriminatory administration of scholarships, prizes and awards / Partially Implemented
CR 17A / Use of physical restraint on any student enrolled in a publicly-funded education program / Partially Implemented
CR 21 / Staff training regarding civil rights responsibilities / Partially Implemented
CR 24 / Curriculum review / Partially Implemented
CR 25 / Institutional self-evaluation / Partially Implemented
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 14 Review and revision of IEPs / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Student records indicated that amendments are sometimes used to extend the anniversary date of the student's current IEP. As a result, the district does not always meet annually, on or before the anniversary date of the IEP, to consider the student's progress and to review, revise, and develop a new IEP. In addition, IEP amendments are also being used to change placements of students.
Description of Corrective Action:
MERSD special education staffs have been using amendments to extend IEP dates due to late provision of parent consent to evaluations and/or parent requests for later meetings. In addition, amendments have been used to add services that resulted in a change in placement. Training will be provided to chairpersons and special education professional staff on appropriate use of amendments.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Allison Brown Collins, Director of Student Services / Expected Date of Completion:
11/30/2013
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Training agendas and materials regarding use of amendments
Internal review of student records to monitor for compliance in the use of amendments
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Director will review student files with amendments developed following trainings
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 14 Review and revision of IEPs / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:05/10/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Provide evidence of the staff training conducted regarding the use of amendments, including attendance (with name and role), agenda and any training materials. This progress report is due September 30, 2013.
Conduct an internal record review, post the training, of files in which amendments were developed and documented during the IEP process. Please provide an analysis of this review to include the number of records reviewed, and the number of records found to be non-compliant. For any records found to be non-compliant, please provide an analysis of the root cause(s) and any steps that the district has taken to remedy the non-compliance. This progress report is due December 2, 2013.
*Please note that when 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 record review; b) Date of the review; c) Name of the person(s) who conducted the review, their role(s), and their signatures.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
12/02/2013
1
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services
Manchester Essex Regional CPR Corrective Action Plan
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEWCORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 18A IEP development and content / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Student records indicated that, in some instances, the IEP Team did not specifically address the skills and proficiencies needed to avoid and respond to bullying, harassment, or teasing for students whose disability either affects social skills development or for students who are on the autism spectrum.
Description of Corrective Action:
MERSD staff were writing social skills goals and providing students with support regarding peer relationships without explicitly making statements regarding bullying, teasing, and harassment prevention within the IEP. As a result, staff will be provided with IEP and Proposal Narrative exemplars and receive training in how to more explicitly address these student vulnerabilities through the IEP process.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Allison Brown Collins, Director of Student Services / Expected Date of Completion:
11/30/2013
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Training agendas and materials, including exemplars for goals, objectives, language in PLEPs, and Proposal Narratives for students vulnerable to bullying, teasing, and harassment
Internal review of student records to monitor for compliance in the use of appropriate accommodations, goals, objectives, and services designed to address bullying teasing, and harassment prevention
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Director will review the files of students with autism and/or social skills deficits for compliance with anti-bullying language, goals, objectives, and accommodations following trainings
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 18A IEP development and content / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:05/10/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Provide evidence of the staff training conducted regarding IEP development that addresses bullying, including attendance (with name and role), agenda and any training materials. In addition, provide evidence that the records identified during the student record review regarding this criterion have been remedied. Submit updated copies of the IEPs and the signed Team Meeting Attendance Sheets (N3A) for these students. This progress report is due September 30, 2013.
Conduct an internal record review, post the training, of files in which skills to avoid bullying, harassment and teasing were documented and addressed in the IEPs. Please provide an analysis of this review to include the number of records reviewed, and the number of records found to be non-compliant. For any records found to be non-compliant, please provide an analysis of the root cause(s) and any steps that the district has taken to remedy the non-compliance. This progress report is due December 2, 2013.
*Please note that when 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 record review; b) Date of the review; c) Name of the person(s) who conducted the review, their role(s), and their signatures.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
12/02/2013
1
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services
Manchester Essex Regional CPR Corrective Action Plan
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEWCORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 20 Least restrictive program selected / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Student records indicated that the IEP Team did not always specifically state why the removal from the general education classroom is considered critical to the student's program and the basis for its conclusion that education of the student in a less restrictive environment, with the use of supplementary aids and services, could not be achieved satisfactorily. Additionally, the Nonparticipation Justification Statement found in several IEPs was worded exactly the same.
Description of Corrective Action:
MERSD staffs have frequently used generic language in completing the Nonparticipation Justification Statement in student IEPs. As a result, staff will be (1) retrained in requirements for Least Restrictive Environment and (2) provided with guidelines for completion of the Nonparticipation Justification segment of the IEP.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Allison Brown Collins, Director of Student Services / Expected Date of Completion:
11/30/2013
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Training agendas and materials regarding use of Nonparticipation Justification Statement
Internal review of student records to monitor for compliance in the use of Nonparticipation Justification Statement
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Director will review student files in which Nonparticipation Justification Statements were developed following trainings
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 20 Least restrictive program selected / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:05/10/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Provide evidence of the staff training conducted regarding Non-participation Justification statements, including attendance (with name and role), agenda and any training materials. This progress report is due September 30, 2013.
Conduct an internal record review, post the training, of files in which Non-participation Justification Statements were developed and documented in IEPs. Please provide an analysis of this review to include the number of records reviewed and the number of records found to be non-compliant. For any records found to be non-compliant, please provide an analysis of the root cause(s) and any steps that the district has taken to remedy the non-compliance. This progress report is due December 2, 2013.
*Please note that when 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 record review; b) Date of the review; c) Name of the person(s) who conducted the review, their role(s), and their signatures.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
12/02/2013
1
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services
Manchester Essex Regional CPR Corrective Action Plan
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEWCORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CR 3 Access to a full range of education programs / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
A review of the district's documents and policies regarding access to a full range of education programs revealed that "gender identity" as a protected category was not included.
Description of Corrective Action:
The process of including "gender identity" as a protected category in the District Curriculum Accommodation Plan, as well as, School Committee policy "Equal Educational Opportunities" (File: JB) has already begun. An administrative council meeting was conducted on 3/28/13 (attendees at these meetings include all principals and the District Office Leadership Team) where this topic was on the agenda. A plan has been developed to batch the district policies and procedures where this language is to be included and to bring them to School Committee for amendment. This will occur prior to 6/28/13 and then during the summer edits will be made to the documents.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Scott Morrison - Director of Curriculum/Technology / Expected Date of Completion:
08/30/2013
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Copies of amended District Curriculum Accommodation Plan and the "Equal Educational Opportunities" (File: JB) policy will be shared and filed in the District and submitted to DESE.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Director has emailed the Superintendent requesting that the topic of "Civil Rights Audit Update" stay on the bi-weekly Administrative Council meeting agenda until the end of this school year in order to monitor progress. Director has already batched the District policies that will require School Committee amendment and approval and has given them to the Superintendent.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 3 Access to a full range of education programs / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:05/10/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Please submit a copy of the district's updated policy regarding students' equal access to general education programming that now includes "gender identity" as a protected class. This progress report is due September 30, 2013.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
1
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services
Manchester Essex Regional CPR Corrective Action Plan
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEWCORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CR 7B Structured learning time / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
Staff interviews and a review of the Student Learning Time Worksheet indicated that students in grades 11 and 12 do not participate in physical education.
Description of Corrective Action:
With our new and updated course of studies, juniors and seniors now have access to physical education programming.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
0Scott Morrison - Director of Curriculum/Technology
Patricia Puglisi - High School Principal / Expected Date of Completion:
06/28/2013
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
High School Course of Studies.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Guidance will report on student enrollment.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 7B Structured learning time / Corrective Action Plan Status: Partially Approved
Status Date:05/10/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
The Department accepts the district's corrective action to update and include physical education programming for its juniors and seniors. However, the district must demonstrate, through its Course of Studies, that these students not only have access to this programming, but that it is a required subject for all students in all grades to participate in.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Provide a copy of the district's updated physical education requirements as found in the High School Course of Studies document.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Provide a copy of the district's updated physical education requirements as found in the High School Course of Studies document. This progress report is due September 30, 2013.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
1
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services
Manchester Essex Regional CPR Corrective Action Plan
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEWCORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CR 8 Accessibility of extracurricular activities / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
A review of the district's documents and policies regarding accessibility of extracurricular activities revealed that "gender identity" as a protected category was not included.
Description of Corrective Action:
The process of including "gender identity" as a protected category in the School Committee policy "Equal Educational Opportunities" (File: JB) has already begun. An administrative council meeting was conducted on 3/28/13 (attendees at these meetings include all principals and the District Office Leadership Team) where this topic was on the agenda. A plan has been developed to batch the district policies and procedures where this language is to be included and to bring them to School Committee for amendment. This will occur prior to 6/28/13 and then during the summer edits will be made to the documents.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Scott Morrison - Director of Curriculum/Technology / Expected Date of Completion:
08/30/2013
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Copies of amended "Equal Educational Opportunities" (File: JB) policy will be shared and filed in the District and submitted to DESE.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Director has emailed the Superintendent requesting that the topic of "Civil Rights Audit Update" stay on the bi-weekly Administrative Council meeting agenda until the end of this school year in order to monitor progress. Director has already batched the District policies that will require School Committee amendment and approval and has given them to the Superintendent.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 8 Accessibility of extracurricular activities / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:05/10/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Please submit a copy of the district's updated policy regarding student accessibility to extracurricular activities that now includes "gender identity" as a protected class. This progress report is due September 30, 2013.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
1
MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education,Program Quality Assurance Services
Manchester Essex Regional CPR Corrective Action Plan
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEWCORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
CR 9 Hiring and employment practices of prospective employers of students / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
A review of the district's documents indicated that the statement signed by employers recruiting at the school does not include "gender identity" as a protected category.
Description of Corrective Action:
The process of including "gender identity" as a protected category in the School Committee policy "Equal Employment Opportunity" has already begun. An administrative council meeting was conducted on 3/28/13 (attendees at these meetings include all principals and the District Office Leadership Team) where this topic was on the agenda. A plan has been developed to batch the district policies and procedures where this language is to be included and to bring them to School Committee for amendment. This will occur prior to 6/28/13 and then during the summer edits will be made to the documents.
Title/Role(s) of responsible Persons:
Scott Morrison - Director of Curriculum/Technology / Expected Date of Completion:
08/30/2013
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
Copies of amended "Equal Employment Opportunity" policy will be shared and filed in the District and submitted to DESE.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Director has emailed the Superintendent requesting that the topic of "Civil Rights Audit Update" stay on the bi-weekly Administrative Council meeting agenda until the end of this school year in order to monitor progress. Director has already batched the District policies that will require School Committee amendment and approval and has given them to the Superintendent.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
CR 9 Hiring and employment practices of prospective employers of students / Corrective Action Plan Status: Approved
Status Date:05/10/2013
Basis for Partial Approval or Disapproval:
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Please submit a copy of the district's updated policy regarding the hiring and employment practices of prospective employers of students that now includes "gender identity" as a protected category. This progress report is due September 30, 2013.
Progress Report Due Date(s):
09/30/2013
1