DESE Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tiered Focused Monitoring Review Demonstrates SEBRSD Making the Grade! 

SPENCER, MA - May 3rd, 2021.  Every three years, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District undergoes an audit by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), known as a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review (TFM). Our most recent audit took place this past March (a year late) after being delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year, the focus of our TFM was in four areas: Special Education (SPED), English Language Learner (ELL), Civil Rights, and Career/Vocational Technical Education (CVTE). Our audit took place over the course of 2 days and included an on-site physical review of our records and interviews with staff and community members.

During the 2020-2021 school year, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District participated in a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review conducted by the Department’s Office of Public School Monitoring. The purpose of the Tiered Focused Monitoring Review is to monitor compliance with regulatory requirements focusing on special education and civil rights.  The results of the Special Education and Civil Rights portions of the our Tiered Focused Monitoring Report were released to the public on April 28th, 2021; and according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, we were pleased to learn that “…the district was found to be in compliance with all criteria reviewed; no corrective action is required at this time.”

For the first time in recent memory, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District is proud to report that all criteria were “implemented,” which means that the requirements substantially meet all important aspects of law or regulation. “This achievement is a testament to the hardworking and dedicated district staff that work day in and day out to provide our students with purposeful special education programs and services; and all while maintaining impeccable records,” said Kara Westerman, Director of Student Services. “Compliance is not an option, it’s a state-monitored requirement; and our team chairs, service providers, teachers and administrators work together to ensure that we are in compliance. I am honored to be a part of the SEBRSD team and so proud of the work that we do here.”

Earlier this school year, in November of 2020, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District participated in a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review conducted by the Department’s Office of Language Acquisition (OLA). The purpose of that Tiered Focused Monitoring Review was to review compliance with regulatory requirements focusing on English Learner Education.  At that conclusion of that process in December of 2020, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District was pleased to learn that Tiered Focused Monitoring Report found “…our regional school district implemented all criteria in English Language Education, which means that the requirements were substantially met in all important aspects of law and/or regulations,” said Westerman.

“To receive feedback from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that in the areas of special education, civil rights, and English language education - we are compliant with all laws and regulations is an accomplishment; it is no simple feat.  There is no doubt about that fact.  However, for us, as professionals: we are looking to continuously improve and provide high-quality programs and services for not only our diverse learners, but for each and every student who attends our regional school district, and that begins with demonstrating to others that we meet in a substantial way / manner the regulations and laws of our land,” said Superintendent of Schools, Paul Haughey.  “These fully 'implemented’ findings are significant and in some ways historic.  It is definitely something that we can all be proud of, especially when one considers that this TFM review process looked at our work (as a district) during a pandemic!” Haughey continued.

In late May, the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District looks to conclude the Tiered Focused Monitoring Review process in Career Vocational Technical Education (CVTE).  DESE's Office for College, Career, and Technical Education (OCCTE) will conduct reviews of all Chapter 74 state-approved vocational technical education programs and non-Chapter 74 career and technical education programs funded through federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act allocations. The purpose of the reviews, which include examination of documentary evidence and onsite interviews and observations, in an effort to determine whether the programs offered comply with federal and state law and state regulations. “In brief, DESE’s site visit team will be coming later this month - to review our Chapter 74 program offerings in Business/Marketing, Early Education and Care as well as Criminal Justice along with all Perkins course offerings at David Prouty High School.”

Click to view the Tiered Focused Monitoring Report in Special Education and Civil Rights at: https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/#s

The Tiered Focused Monitoring Report in English Language Education can be found at:  https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/

And to learn more about the Career Vocational Technical Onsite Monitoring Review process, go to: https://www.doe.mass.edu/ccte/cvte/monitoring/