Special Education

 October 21, 2024

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Taunton Public Schools during the week of December 02, 2024. 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. 

Taunton Public Schools will be undergoing a Group B monitoring review that addresses special education teacher and related service personnel licensure and professional development; parent, student, and community engagement, including compliance with Child Find requirements; facilities and classroom observations; implementation and oversight of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); time and learning, and equal access.

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.

Taunton Public Schools will host a virtual orientation about the review process in collaboration with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) on Wednesday October 30^th at 6pm.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86811557996?pwd=jXuhju16gaUmKZD927qZZ29rqEXUXD.1

Meeting ID: 868 1155 7996
Passcode: 2tkR7b

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 Winnie Koko, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3736 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.