PEABODY — During the week of Jan. 17, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Peabody Public Schools.
“This is an excellent opportunity to see what we are doing well and to identify areas for improvement,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Josh Vadala. “This type of regular feedback is critical to ensure that Peabody Public Schools is providing the best opportunities to all our students and their families.”
The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s English Language Education (ELE) program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English-learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review 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.
As part of its accountability system, DESE oversees local compliance with education requirements through the method known as Tiered Focused Monitoring (TFM). All reviews cover selected requirements of the following areas: Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA), and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).
Districts are reviewed every six years through TFM, except for the districts that repeat as Tier 4 for three consecutive years. These districts’ ELE programs are reviewed every three years until such time that they are no longer a Tier 4 district.
Within approximately 60 business days of the on-site visit, the Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson Judith Magliore will provide Peabody Public Schools with a report including 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 https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
