DESE to conduct regular reviews of charter school this month

DESE to conduct regular reviews of New Heights Charter School

Once every three years review on compliance with special ed and civil rights; once every six years review English learner education laws, April 22 & 26

Both district schools and charter schools to be reviewed

Two offices of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will be conducting standard separate Tiered Focused Monitoring Reviews of New Heights Charter School of Brockton this month.

The first, to take place the week of April 22, 2019, monitors every school’s – district and charter – compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. The review takes place one every three years.

The second, to take place on April 26, 2019, will review compliance with federal and state learner and education laws and regulations. These reviews are mandated once every six years, and also include all public schools.

New Heights Charter School serves students from Brockton, Randolph, and Taunton.

DESE formal language regarding the special ed/civil rights review

DESE provided the following language regarding the April 22 review.

During the week of April 22, 2019, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of New Heights Charter School. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview parents who are part of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.

Parents and other individuals may call Michael Barrett, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at 781-338-3739 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the New Heights Charter School with a report with information about areas in which New Heights Charter School meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the New Heights Charter School requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/reports/.

DESE formal language regarding the English learner review

DESE provided the following language regarding the April 26 review.

On April 26, 2019, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of New Heights Charter School. The Office of Language Acquisition visits each district and charter school every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments; identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in; parent and community involvement; curriculum and instruction; student support services; licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration; program plans; and evaluation and recordkeeping.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Language Acquisition will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will contribute to the monitoring report.

Parents and other individuals may call Melanie Manares, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3573 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/cpr/?section=reports.