MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW

 

Charter School or District: Norwell Public Schools

Corrective Action Plan Forms

CAP Form will expand to as many lines as necessary. Before completing and emailing to pqacap@doe.mass.edu, please see separate Instructions for Completing Corrective Action Plans.

 

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 to the school or district.

Mandatory One-Year Compliance Date: 7-31-08

 

 

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

(To be completed by school district/charter school)

Criterion & Topic: SE 5 State and district-wide assessment programs

Rating: Partially Implemented

Prepared By: James M. LaBillois

Department CPR Finding: Student records indicated that testing accommodations exceeded and did not always match the accommodations for general instruction of students. Parent surveys indicated that the student’s participation in MCAS was not always discussed at the Team meeting.  Every tenth grader passed MCAS in 2006.

Narrative Description of Corrective Action: The Norwell Public Schools (herein referred to as the "district) will conduct staff training which will provide staff with the necessary information and skills to remedy this area of non-compliance.  Further, changes will be made the the metting summary forms which will add a section for MCAS realted discussions.   Staff training will occur which will provide staff with the necessary information and skills to remedy this area of non-compliance.  The district will also make the necessary changes to the Special Education Procedures Manual to reflect more specific language relative to accomodations and and MCAS.  The need for TEAMs to discuss MCAS will also be apart of the Parent's Rights Workshop and Training.   [DOE1] 

Title/Role of Person(s) Responsible for Implementation: Administrator of Special Education[DOE2] 

Expected Date of Completion for Each Corrective Action Activity: December 1, 2007[DOE3] 

Anticipated Results of Corrective Action: As a result of training and software changes, administrative and special education staff will understand the necessity to discuss the student's participation in MCAS, as well as the need for testing accomodations to not exceed and to match the accomodations for general instirction of student. Parents will have been given training and information relative to the need of the TEAM to discuss the student's participation in MCAS.  [DOE4] 

Anticipated Student Outcomes (if applicable): Where appropriate, students will engage with the TEAM in disucssions relative to their participation in MCAS and will subsequently gain skill in self-advocacy. [DOE5] 

Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action: All staff and parent training sessions will be documented through the submission of power point slides, handouts, and other related materials as well as participant attendance sheets. Changes will be made to the Special Education Procedures Manual and IEP software.   [DOE6] 

Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures: The district will develop a plan for local monitoring of accomodations and disucssions of MCAS at TEAM meetings.  By May 1, 2008, the Building Liaisons, the persons responsible for conducting the internal monitoring at each building in the district, will provide the Department with the results of monitoring activities, including:  (a) the number of records reviewed at each level (preschool, elementary, middle and high school) and (b) the rate of compliance, along with (c) a description of any additional steps taken by the district for non-compliance identified by local personnel.[DOE7] 

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION

(To be completed by the Department of Education)

Criterion: SE 5 State and district-wide assessment programs

Status of Corrective Action:

 Approved     Disapproved     Partially Approved

Basis for Approval, Disapproval, or Partial Approval: The district will change the special Education Procedures Manual, provide training to staff, and adapt the Team meeting summary form to include changes related to MCAS participation and accommodations.[DOE8] 

Department Order of Corrective Action: Please provide the amended page of the Special Education Procedures Manual, the handouts and attendance sheet (date, name, role and signature) from staff training and a copy of the amended Team summary sheet by December 3, 2007.  Provide from the Special Education Administrator a district summary of the internal monitoring that includes the number of records reviewed for MCAS participation and accommodations for each of the levels (elementary, middle and secondary), the rate of compliance for the district and each level, and a description of any additional steps taken by the district for noncompliance identified by local personnel by May 1, 2008.

Progress Report Due Date(s): December 3, 2007 and May 1, 2008

Required Elements of Progress Report(s): Please provide the amended page of the Special Education Procedures Manual, the handouts and attendance sheet (date, name, role and signature) from staff training and a copy of the amended Team summary sheet by December 3, 2007.  Provide from the Special Education Administrator a district summary of the internal monitoring that includes the number of records reviewed for MCAS participation and accommodations for each of the levels (elementary, middle and secondary), the rate of compliance for the district and each level, and a description of any additional steps taken by the district for noncompliance identified by local personnel by May 1, 2008.[DOE9] 

 

 

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

(To be completed by school district/charter school)

Criterion & Topic: SE 7 Transfer of parental rights at age of majority

Rating: Partially Implemented

Prepared By: James M. LaBillois

Department CPR Finding: Student records indicated that the district does present the student with age of majority rights one year prior to turning 18 years of age.  However shared decision-making is not documented in written form.

Narrative Description of Corrective Action: The district will create a required form which documents shared decision making.   The High School TEAM Chairperson/s and the Guidance Counselors will be trained in its need to be completed and the Guidance Counselors will receive additional training on explaining shared decision making to students and parents.   Changes to this procedure will be included in the Special Education Procedures Manual. [DOE10] 

Title/Role of Person(s) Responsible for Implementation: Administrator of Special Education[DOE11] 

Expected Date of Completion for Each Corrective Action Activity: December 1, 2007[DOE12] 

Anticipated Results of Corrective Action: As a result of training and parent/student education, administrative and special education staff will understand the necessity to discuss and document shared decision making in written form.   [DOE13] 

Anticipated Student Outcomes (if applicable): Students will gain a better understanding of shared decision making.   [DOE14] 

Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action: All staff training sessions will be documented through the submission of power point slides, handouts, and other related materials as well as participant attendance sheets; there will be consistent documentation of shared decision making.   [DOE15] 

Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures: The district will develop a plan for local monitoring of documenting shared decision making in written form.  accomodations and disucssions of MCAS at TEAM meetings.  By May 1, 2008, the Head of Guidance, the person responsible for conducting the internal monitoring at each building in the district, will provide the Department with the results of monitoring activities, including:  (a) the number of records reviewed and (b) the rate of compliance, along with (c) a description of any additional steps taken by the district for non-compliance identified by local personnel.[DOE16] 

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION

(To be completed by the Department of Education)

Criterion: SE 7 Transfer of parental rights at age of majority

Status of Corrective Action:

 Approved     Disapproved     Partially Approved

Basis for Approval, Disapproval, or Partial Approval: The district will develop a form for shared decision-making , amend the procedures manual and provide training to high school guidance staff and the high school Team Chair.[DOE17] 

Department Order of Corrective Action: Provide the amended procedures manual page(s), the district form for shared decision-making, and the agenda, handouts and sign-in sheet (date, name, role, and signature) for training of high school guidance staff and the high school Team Chair by December 3, 2007.  Develop a system to internally monitor the district's completion of shared decision forms and report the results of the internal monitoring by May 1, 2008..

Progress Report Due Date(s):   December 3, 2007 and May 1, 2008

Required Elements of Progress Report(s): Provide the amended procedures manual page(s), the district form for shared decision-making, and the agenda, handouts and sign-in sheet (date, name, role, and signature) for training of high school guidance staff and the high school Team Chair by December 3, 2007.  Develop a system to internally monitor the district's completion of shared decision forms and provide the Department with a summary of internal monitoring including the number of student records reviewed for shared decision-making, the rate of compliance and any steps the district will take to address any identified noncompliance by May 1, 2008.[DOE18] 

 

 

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

(To be completed by school district/charter school)

Criterion & Topic: SE 8 IEP Team composition and attendance

Rating: Partially Implemented

Prepared By: James M. LaBillois

Department CPR Finding: Student records and staff interviews indicated that the Team meeting composition does not always include a person with the authority to commit district resources or a regular educator.  Students who are 15 years of age or older need to be invited to the meeting.  The district did not implement the excusal process to secure agreement between the parent and the district when a required Team member could not attend the meeting.

Narrative Description of Corrective Action: The district will ensure that staff training provide staff with the necessary information and skills to remedy this area of non-compliance.  All staff in the district will receive a memorandum which clearly delineates the role of the TEAM Chairperson and will explicitly indicate that the TEAM Chairperson has the authority to commit the resources of the Town.  High school students will be "carbon copied" on the Meeting Invitations and the high school Special Educators will receive training to ensure high school students are invited.  All staff will be trained on the excusal/waiver procedure for a TEAM member who cannot attend the meeting.  Further, parent training will be given which will explain the excusal/waiver process and the requirement that student 15 years of age, or older, must be invited to attend the meeting.   The district will provide training to all building principals and assistant principals to explain the importance of the regular education teacher's attendance at the meeting and the need to provide coverage so that regular education teachers can attend TEAM meetings. [DOE19] 

Title/Role of Person(s) Responsible for Implementation: Administrator of Special Education[DOE20] 

Expected Date of Completion for Each Corrective Action Activity: December 1, 2007[DOE21] 

Anticipated Results of Corrective Action: As a result of training, administrative and special education staff - as well as parents - will understand that the TEAM Chair always has the authority to commit the resoucres of the Town and the procedure related to excusal/waiver of attendance at a TEAM meeting.  Staff and parents will also be made aware of the requirement that students 15 years of age or older are required to be invited to the TEAM meeting.  [DOE22] 

Anticipated Student Outcomes (if applicable): Through participation in the TEAM process students will gain better self-advocacy skills and will understand the TEAM process and their protections under state and federal law and regulation. [DOE23] 

Evidence of Completion of the Corrective Action: All staff and parent training sessions will be documented through the submission of power point slides, handouts, and other related materials as well as participant attendance sheets; there will be consistent documentation of excusal/wavier procedures and students 15 years of age or older being invited to attend the TEAM meeting.    [DOE24] 

Description of Internal Monitoring Procedures: The district will develop a plan for local monitoring of TEAM composition and the waiver/excusal process.  By May 1, 2008, the High School Building Liaison and the High School TEAM Chair, the persons responsible for conducting the internal monitoring at each building in the district, will provide the Department with the results of monitoring activities, including:  (a) the number of records reviewed and (b) the rate of compliance, along with (c) a description of any additional steps taken by the district for non-compliance identified by local personnel.     [DOE25] 

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN APPROVAL SECTION

(To be completed by the Department of Education)

Criterion: SE 8 Team composition and attendance

Status of Corrective Action:

 Approved     Disapproved     Partially Approved

Basis for Approval, Disapproval, or Partial Approval: The district will provide training regarding (a) the excusal/waiver procedures for Team attendance for staff and parents, (b) high school students being invited to the team meeting, (c) regular educators attending the Team meeting for students who participate in regular education (to principals and assistant principals). [DOE26] 

Department Order of Corrective Action: The district will review the Spoecial Education Procedures Manual to ensure that accurate information is included on Team attendance including the excusal/waiver process and need for a regular education teacher to attend meetings for students who are not in subseperate classrooms.  The district will develop and disseminate the roles of the Team Chair that includes information on the authority to commit resources.  The district will provide training regarding (a) the excusal/waiver procedures for Team attendance for staff and parents, (b) high school students being invited to the team meeting, (c) regular educators attending the Team meeting for students who participate in regular education (to principals and assistant principals). 

Progress Report Due Date(s): December 3, 2007 and May 1, 2008

Required Elements of Progress Report(s): Provide to the Department a copy of the Sepcial Education Procedures Manual pages related to Team meeting attendance.  Also provide the copy of the Team Chair's role description.  In addition, provide the agendas, sign-in sheets (date, name, role and signature) for trainings:  (1) high school staff on students being invited and attending their Team meeting, (2) regular educators attending Team meetings of students participating in regular education, (3) the excusal/waiver process for Team attendance by December 3, 2007. 

For the May 1, 2008 progress report, describe the internal monitoring systems to ensure that: (1) the excusal/waiver process is used as required, (2) regular educators are in attendance for students who participate in regular education, and (3) high school students are invited to attend their Team meetings.  Also provide a summary report for the excusal process that indicates the number of records reviewed at each level (preschool, elementary, middle and secondary), the rate of compliance for the district and each level, and any steps the district will take to address the noncompliance for this area.  Another summary report will be provided regarding the regular education teacher attendance at Team meetings for each level (elementary, middle and high school) indicating the number of records reviewed at each level, the rate of compliance and the steps to address any noncompliance at the local district. [DOE27] 

 

 

COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

(To be completed by school district/charter school)

Criterion & Topic: SE 9 Timelines for eligibility and provision of documentation to parent

Rating: Partially Implemented

Prepared By: James M. LaBillois

Department CPR Finding: Student records and parent surveys indicated that not all eligibility meetings were held 45 school working days after the receipt of the written parental consent to evaluate. 

Narrative Description of Corrective Action: The district will implement new procedures to assist in bringing this area into compliance.  Educators will be given an internal district-based timeline which will ensure that eligibility meetings are held in a timely fashion.  Moreover, the district's IEP software will be changed and will add colored alerts to alert staff, as well as montly reports which will inform the Adminsitrator of Special Education as to any IEP with the potential to be out of conpliance.  The staff will be trained on both the new timelines and procedure, as well as the new features of the software.  Moreover, the Special Education Procedures Manual will be updated to reflect the new changes.[DOE28] 

Title/Role of Person(s) Responsible for Implementation: Administrator of Special Education[DOE29] 

Expected Date of Completion for Each Corrective Action Activity: December 1, 2007