DESE Tiered Focus Monitoring Review - Special Education
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The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) publishes Tiered Focused Monitoring (TFM) reports for school districts, charter schools, vocational schools, and virtual schools. These reports, updated regularly, outline each district’s compliance with state and federal special education and civil rights requirements. TFM reviews occur every three years and alternate between two sets of Universal Standards. Group A reviews focus on student identification, IEP development, programming, support services, and equal opportunities, while Group B reviews address licensure, professional development, parent and community engagement, facilities, oversight, time on learning, and equal access. In addition, if risk data such as complaints or discipline patterns raise concerns, targeted standards are included in the review. https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/
tfm/reports/ The review process involves multiple stages. Districts begin with a self-assessment, submitting internal reviews and student records through the Web-based Monitoring System (WBMS). This is followed by an on-site verification visit in which DESE staff review documentation, interview administrators, teachers, and parents, survey parents of students with disabilities, and observe classrooms and facilities. Once reviews are complete, the district’s level of risk determines the type of follow-up required. Low-risk districts (Tier 1 and Tier 2) must create a Continuous Improvement and Monitoring Plan (CIMP) to address any partially or unimplemented standards. Higher-risk districts (Tier 3 and Tier 4) receive a formal written report within 45 to 60 days and are required to develop a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) with ongoing progress reports and technical support from DESE.
All reports are posted publicly on DESE’s website, typically in DOCX format, and are organized alphabetically by district. They are updated as new monitoring cycles are completed, with the most recent update noted as August 4, 2025. These reports provide transparency about district performance and accountability, while also serving as a tool for continuous improvement to ensure that all students, particularly those with disabilities, receive equitable access to high-quality education and civil rights protections.
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November 2022 - DESE Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Chelsea Public Schools
November 2, 2022
CHELSEA - During the week of December 5, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Chelsea Public School District. 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 the chairperson(s) 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 Moses Nduati, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3707 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 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 public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
2 de noviembre, 2022
CHELSEA - Durante la semana del 5 de diciembre de 2022, la Oficina de Supervisión de las Escuelas Públicas (PSM) del Departamento de Educación Primaria y Secundaria llevará a cabo una Revisión de Supervisión Enfocada por Niveles del Distrito. La Oficina de Supervisión de las Escuelas Públicas visita cada distrito y escuela chárter cada tres años para supervisar el cumplimiento de las normas federales y estatales de educación especial y derechos civiles. Las áreas de revisión relacionadas con la educación especial incluyen las evaluaciones de los estudiantes, la determinación de elegibilidad, el proceso del Equipo del Programa de Educación Individualizada (IEP) y el desarrollo e implementación del IEP. Las áreas de revisión relacionadas con los derechos civiles incluyen la intimidación, la disciplina estudiantil, la restricción física y la igualdad de acceso a los programas escolares para todos los estudiantes.
Además de la visita en el sitio, el contacto con los padres es una parte importante del proceso de revisión. El presidente de revisión de la Oficina de Monitoreo de las Escuelas Públicas enviará a todos los padres de estudiantes con discapacidades una encuesta en línea que se enfoca en áreas clave del programa de educación especial de su hijo/a. Los resultados de la encuesta contribuirán al desarrollo de un informe. Durante la revisión en el sitio, la Oficina de Supervisión de las Escuelas Públicas entrevistará a los presidentes del Consejo Asesor de Padres de Educación Especial (SEPAC) del distrito. Otras actividades en el sitio pueden incluir entrevistas con el personal y los administradores del distrito, revisiones de los registros de los estudiantes y observaciones en el sitio.
Los padres y otras personas pueden llamar a Moses Nduati, presidente de supervisión de las Escuelas Públicas, al (781) 338-3707. Si una persona requiere una adaptación, como traducción, para participar en una entrevista, el Departamento hará los arreglos necesarios.
Dentro de aproximadamente 60 días hábiles después de la visita en el sitio, el presidente de revisión proporcionará al distrito un informe con información sobre las áreas en las que el distrito cumple o supera los requisitos normativos y las áreas en las que el distrito requiere asistencia para corregir o mejorar las prácticas. El público podrá acceder al informe en http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
