Evaluation and update of the current District Curriculum Accommodation Plan (DCAP)

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the current DCAP to assure compliance with Chapter 71 Massachusetts General Law: Section 38Q1/2.

“A school district shall adopt and implement a curriculum accommodation plan to assist principals in ensuring that all efforts have been made to meet students' needs in regular education. The plan shall be designed to assist the regular classroom teacher in analyzing and accommodating diverse learning styles of all children in the regular classroom and in providing appropriate services and support within the regular education program including, but not limited to, direct and systematic instruction in reading and provision of services to address the needs of children whose behavior may interfere with learning, or who do not qualify for special education services under chapter 71B. The curriculum accommodation plan shall include provisions encouraging teacher mentoring and collaboration and parental involvement.”

This work includes but is not limited to including the following of your district's DCAP:

General Education Services and Supports

Accommodations and Instructional Strategies

School Response Protocols

Alignment to the District Improvement Plan

Recommendations for organizational structures to ensure that the DCAP is the foundation of accommodations for multi-tiered systems of support for all students.

The purpose of this evaluation is to examine and review the current special education department’s structure, curriculum, staffing, data, budget, and documentation.

The Special Education Program Review can examine the entire department, or certain programs within the department i.e., Early Childhood Specialists, and 504 programs.

The purpose of this evaluation is to review the status of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). This review will assist in determining common language, interventions, and services which will help the school’s administration in determining the status of special programming and services, staffing patterns, roles and responsibilities, utilization of current staffing positions, overall strengths, and areas of need. This review will also place emphasis on six essential questions which will then result in the development of a plan for MTSS professional development and further implementation. This review may also address the status of the DCAP and Special Education Services as they relate to the support of MTSS.

A district Curriculum Review process is designed to be a multistep approach to assist the school district’s leadership team in identifying areas of current success and defining a plan for growth to address current gaps in the Pre-K-12 curriculum of the school district.

This review process brings forth information that will enable the district’s administration and personnel to develop an action plan that will lead to the following: (1) the more effective development and implementation of Pre-K-12 curriculum, (2) a system-wide understanding of curriculum theory and practice, and (3) vertical and horizontal curriculum alignment K-12 for the school district.

School districts retain the services of Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, to conduct a neutral, fair, unbiased and in-depth investigation of the said incident. School districts Policies and Procedures as they relate to the incident or student disciplinary actions are reviewed and investigated. All parties involved are interviewed by Seaside Educational Consultants and a report is provided to the district

A strategic plan is a document that articulates the school district’s mission and vision, as well as the goals and objectives needed to achieve the goals. 

This long-range plan provides the framework and guidance for the school district to fulfill its mission with optimal efficiency and impact.  

This strategic planning is a cyclical process that, through consistent monitoring and realignment with strategically agreed-upon values and goals, is continually implemented, evaluated, and revised to ensure high student achievement and district performance.

The success of implementing this strategic plan will provide the school district with the following advantages and benefits:

• Establishes the mission and vision and guiding principles for better and more effective decision-making. 

• Articulates the school district priorities and stakeholder values.

• Aligns workforce and financial resources to strategic planning goals and objectives.

• Provides a communication vehicle to inform stakeholders about district initiatives. 

• Provides a base from which progress toward the achievement of goals can be measured. 

• Authentically engages employees and other stakeholders to commit to a common vision and work together to accomplish the goals, objectives, and activities that constitute the strategic plan. 

• Allows the school district to establish a path to accomplish its desired future and set specific data-driven priorities.

• Creates a common vision, excitement, and energy within the school district and community.

 Adapted from Senge, Peter, The Fifth Discipline, 2006.