DESE

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring

(PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Acushnet Public Schools during the

week of January 13, 2025. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual

school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed

during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A

Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.

Acushnet Public Schools will be undergoing a Group A monitoring review that focuses on

special education student identification and special education eligibility timelines; Individualized

Education Program (IEP) development; programming and support services; procedural

requirements for suspensions; and equal opportunity. The process includes interviews with

district staff and administrators, a review of policies and procedures, and school building visits.

The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to

gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.

Acushnet Public Schools will host an orientation about the review process in collaboration with

the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). The Department will also send a

parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special

education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.

Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Henry Ndakalu, Monitoring Review

Chairperson, at (781) 338-3706 to request a telephone interview. If anyone 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 district with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The

public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html.