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

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

Charter School or District: Community Charter School of Cambridge (District)

CPR Onsite Year: 2013-2014

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 08/29/2014.

Mandatory One-Year Compliance Date: 08/29/2015

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 3A / Special requirements for students on the autism spectrum / 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 9 / Timeline for determination of eligibility and provision of documentation to parent / Partially Implemented
SE 14 / Review and revision of IEPs / Partially Implemented
SE 18A / IEP development and content / Partially Implemented
SE 24 / Notice to parent regarding proposal or refusal to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the student or the provision of FAPE / Partially Implemented
SE 27 / Content of Team meeting notice to parents / Partially Implemented
SE 40 / Instructional grouping requirements for students aged five and older / Partially Implemented
SE 54 / Professional development / Partially Implemented
CR 7 / Information to be translated into languages other than English / Partially Implemented
CR 9 / Hiring and employment practices of prospective employers of students / 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 25 / Institutional self-evaluation / Partially Implemented
COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 2 Required and optional assessments / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
A review of student records and staff interviews demonstrated that the school does not consistently provide all required assessments consented to by the parent, specifically a history of the student's educational progress in the general curriculum; teacher assessment of the student’s attention skills, participation behaviors, communication skills, memory and social relations with groups, peers and adults; and observation of the student in his/her natural or classroom environment.
Description of Corrective Action:
a. CCSC will complete a root cause analysis to identify the barrier in completing this action.
b. CCSC will add Educational Assessments A and B to the beginning stages of the evaluation process in the Procedural Narrative.
c. CCSC will train general and special education staff to complete these Assessments.
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Director of Special Programs / Expected Date of Completion:
05/30/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
An excerpt from the Procedural Narrative that includes Educational Assessments A and B, and the added steps based on root cause analysis.
Training agenda and sign in sheets
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Complete an internal file review of 7 students re-evaluated this school year.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 2 Required and optional assessments / Corrective Action Plan Status: Partially Approved
Status Date:10/10/2014
Basis for Decision:
The school's proposed internal monitoring process does not address the need for ongoing monitoring to ensure continued compliance.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Develop an internal oversight and monitoring system to ensure that all required, consented-to evaluations are conducted. The system should include oversight and periodic reviews by the Director of Special Education or their designee to ensure ongoing compliance.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
By January 9, 2015, submit a description of the school's internal oversight and monitoring system with periodic reviews, along with the name/role of the designated person.
By March 30, 2015, conduct an internal review of approximately 10 records for students with initial or re-evaluations conducted following the implementation of all corrective actions. Provide a detailed narrative summary of this internal review, including the number of records reviewed and the number in which all consented-to assessments were completed to determine eligibility. If non-compliance is identified, report the specific actions taken to correct each individual student record; identify and report the root cause(s) of the ongoing non-compliance and a plan to remedy it.
*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 person(s) who conducted the review, their roles(s), and their signature(s).
Progress Report Due Date(s):
01/09/2015
03/30/2015

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

Community Charter School of Cambridge (District) 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:
A review of student records demonstrated that when a student is suspected of having a specific learning disability, not all IEP Team members sign the mandated Specific Learning Disability Team Determination of Eligibility form. Additionally, student records indicated that the school does not consistently use the four required components to document a determination of specific learning disability: Historical Review and Educational Assessment, Area of Concern and Evaluation Method, Exclusionary Factors, and Observation.
Description of Corrective Action:
a. CCSC will add needed steps to, or edit the SLD forms to the Procedures Narrative.
b. CCSC will train Special Education staff in the purpose and use of these forms.
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Director of Special Programs
Special Programs Administrative Assistant / Expected Date of Completion:
05/30/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
An excerpt from the Procedures Narrative that includes directions for use of these forms, including use of the observation form by the school psychologist.
Training agenda, materials and sign in sheets.
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Feedback distributed to staff after each meeting will include a check for this procedure.
File Review of 3-5 students re-evaluated this year, who meet criteria for 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:10/10/2014
Basis for Decision:
The school's proposed internal monitoring process does not address the need for ongoing monitoring to ensure continued compliance.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Develop an internal oversight and monitoring system to ensure that for all SLD eligibility determinations, Teams consistently use all 4 documentation components and all Team members sign the Specific Learning Disability Team Determination of Eligibility (Mandated form 28M/10). The system should include oversight and periodic reviews by the Director of Special Education or their designee to ensure ongoing compliance.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Prior to developing the school’s revised procedure, review the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance on SLD eligibility determination at
By January 9, 2015, using the Department’s guidance as the basis for its revision, submit the school’s revised procedures to ensure that IEP Teams appropriately document the eligibility determination for students suspected of SLD, both for initials and re-evaluations, along with evidence of special education staff training on these procedures. This documentation will include the revised procedures, signed attendance sheets with name and role of staff member, agendas with name and role of presenter, and examples of training materials.
By January 9, 2015, submit a description of the school's internal oversight and monitoring system with periodic reviews, along with the name/role of the designated person.
By March 30, 2015, conduct an internal review of approximately 5-6 records for students suspected of SLD, with initial or re-evaluations conducted following the implementation of all corrective actions. Provide a detailed narrative summary of this internal review, including the number of records reviewed and the number where IEP Teams completed all elements of the SLD eligibility determination process & all Team members signed the mandated eligibility form. If non-compliance is identified, report the specific actions taken to correct each individual student record; identify and report the root cause(s) of the ongoing non-compliance and a plan to remedy it.
*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 person(s) who conducted the review, their roles(s), and their signature(s).
Progress Report Due Date(s):
01/09/2015
03/30/2015

1

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

Community Charter School of Cambridge (District) CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 3A Special requirements for students on the autism spectrum / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
A review of student records indicated that, for students on the autism spectrum, IEP Teams do not consider and specifically address the verbal and nonverbal communication needs of the child; the need to develop social interaction skills and proficiencies; the needs resulting from the child's unusual responses to sensory experiences; the needs resulting from resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines; the needs resulting from engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements; the need for any positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports to address any behavioral difficulties resulting from autism spectrum disorder; and other needs resulting from the child's disability that impact progress in the general curriculum, including social and emotional development. Interviews and document review also indicated that the school has not developed a procedure for Team Chairpersons to follow when an evaluation indicates that a child has a disability on the autism spectrum, nor are special education staff familiar with the specific IEP development requirements for students on the autism spectrum.
Description of Corrective Action:
a. CCSC will add relevant steps to the Procedures Narrative.
b. CCSC will train special education staff in the purpose and process for the checklist.
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Director of Special Programs / Expected Date of Completion:
05/30/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
The relevant excerpt from the amended Procedures Narrative
Faculty training agenda and materials
Annual Review Agendas for students on the autism spectrum
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Feedback distributed to staff after each meeting will include a check for this procedure.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 3A Special requirements for students on the autism spectrum / Corrective Action Plan Status: Partially Approved
Status Date:10/10/2014
Basis for Decision:
The school's proposed internal monitoring process does not address the need for ongoing monitoring to ensure continued compliance.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Develop an internal oversight and monitoring system to ensure that for all students identified as ASD, IEP Teams consider and specifically address all 7 areas of needs resulting from the child's disability that impact progress in the general curriculum. The system should include oversight and periodic reviews by the Director of Special Education or their designee to ensure ongoing compliance.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
Prior to developing the school’s corrective actions, review the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance on IEP development for students identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at
On January 9, 2015, using the Department’s guidance as the basis for its revision, submit the school’s revised procedures to ensure that IEP Teams appropriately develop IEPs for students identified with ASD, including initial IEP development, annual IEP development, and for re-evaluations, along with evidence of special education staff training. This documentation will include the revised procedures, signed attendance sheets with name and role of staff member, agendas with name and role of presenter, and examples of training materials.
By January 9, 2015, submit a description of the school's internal oversight and monitoring system with periodic reviews, along with the name/role of the designated person.
By March 30, 2015, conduct an internal review of records for ASD students with IEP development conducted following the implementation of all corrective actions. Provide a detailed narrative summary of this internal review, including the number of records reviewed and the number where IEP Teams considered & specifically addressed the 7 areas in the IEP. If non-compliance is identified, report the specific actions taken to correct each individual student record; identify and report the root cause(s) of the ongoing non-compliance and a plan to remedy it.
*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 person(s) who conducted the review, their roles(s), and their signature(s).
Progress Report Due Date(s):
01/09/2015
03/30/2015

1

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

Community Charter School of Cambridge (District) CPR Corrective Action Plan

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
Criterion & Topic:
SE 7 Transfer of parental rights at age of majority and student participation and consent at the age of majority / CPR Rating:
Partially Implemented
Department CPR Findings:
A review of student records and staff interviews demonstrated that the school does not consistently inform the student and the parent/guardian of the transfer of educational decision-making rights one year prior to the student turning 18. Review of student records and staff interviews also demonstrated that consent from the student is not always obtained for continued implementation of the IEP once the student has attained the age of majority.
Description of Corrective Action:
a. CCSC will add age and birthday data to the tracking system used for IEP deadlines.
b. CCSC will edit the Procedures Narrative to include use of this form before the 17th birthday.
c. CCSC will train the high school special education staff on the purpose and use of this form.
Title/Role(s) of Responsible Persons:
Director of Special Programs
Special Programs Administrative Assistant / Expected Date of Completion:
05/30/2015
Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action:
File Review of 3-5 students who will turn 17 this school year to see that this form is collected
Relevant excerpt from the Procedures Narrative
Training agenda, materials and sign in sheets
Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures:
Use of IEP tracking spreadsheet, reviewed weekly by the Director of Special Programs and Special Programs Administrative Assistant.
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION
Criterion:
SE 7 Transfer of parental rights at age of majority and student participation and consent at the age of majority / Corrective Action Plan Status: Partially Approved
Status Date:10/10/2014
Basis for Decision:
The school's proposed corrective action does not include a process to secure a student's consent to continue IEP services when the student has sole or shared decision-making.
Department Order of Corrective Action:
Prior to developing the school’s revised procedures, review Administrative Advisory SPED 2011-1, Develop specific procedures to notify parent and student one year prior of the rights that will transfer from the parent/guardian to the student upon the student’s 18th birthday, as well as specific procedures for obtaining consent from students with shared or sole decision-making rights.
Required Elements of Progress Report(s):
By January 9, 2015, submit the school's revised procedures for providing notice of the transfer of educational decision making at age of majority and for obtaining consent consistent with the student's choice for decision-making, along with evidence of special education staff training on these procedures. This documentation will include the revised procedures, signed attendance sheets with name and role of staff member, agendas with name and role of presenter, and examples of training materials. Also include in the training the requirement to secure student's consent to continue IEP services when the student has sole or shared decision-making.
By March 30, 2015, conduct an internal review of 4-6 records for evidence that students and parents were notified one year in advance of the age of majority. 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.
By March 30, 2015, conduct an internal review of 2-3 records for evidence that students with sole or shared decision-making have provided consent immediately upon attainment of the age of majority. 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 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):
01/09/2015
03/30/2015

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