LYNN — KIPP Academy’s campuses will be evaluated by the state next week on their compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations.
Beginning Monday, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the charter school. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years.
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, 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 the special education program. Results will be included for a report.
The office will also interview the chairperson(s) of the charter’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other on-site activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and on-site observations.
Parents and other individuals may contact Erin VandeVeer, Public School Monitoring chairperson, at (781) 338- 3735 or [email protected] 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 on-site visit, the review chairperson will provide the charter 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 public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
Steve Krause can be reached at [email protected].
