Background:

The READS Assessment Program has been established to provide an interim educational placement for special and regular education students in grades 7-12. Students may be referred to this program for a variety of reasons, including chronic pattern of failure to achieve within their school environment, an occurrence of a serious violation of school rules regarding possession of weapons or illegal substances, or a substantial change in the student’s behavior or emotional state. All students placed in the program must participate in an assessment process with the goal of determining a plan of action to address the student’s needs and the safety concerns within the school environment.

In cases where the student may have been involved in an incident that included threatening, aggressive, assaultive behaviors, or possession of contraband such as weapons or illegal substances (including, but not limited to, alcohol, prescription or non-prescription medications), the referring school district is required to provide information regarding any legal action (i.e. police report/charges pressed) that has been taken in response to the incident. The safety and well-being of all students referred to the program is our utmost priority.

Services Provided:

• Individualized academic instruction
• Individual/group counseling
• Behavior management/support
• Social skills training
• Consultation to referring school district
• School lunch program

Evaluation Process

Upon admission to the program, the unique circumstances of each student’s reason for referral are taken into consideration. Specific assessment questions are formulated, and the most appropriate evaluation methods are determined. The following are the types of evaluations that may be recommended and conducted during the placement period:

• Psychoeducational
• Neuropsychological
• Neurological
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy

Referral Procedures:

1. School district liaison contacts the Assessment
   Program Coordinator and is provided with an Initial Referral Information Form.
2. School district liaison forwards all relevant records as required on the referral form
3. Assessment Program Coordinator reviews all information
4. Assessment Program Coordinator schedules an intake meeting
   

Intake Meeting/Admission Procedures

1. Review structure of program, class schedule, policies and procedures
2. Review reason for referral/placement
3. Identify specific areas of concern, formulate specific assessment questions, and identify specific assessments to be conducted during the placement period.
4. Review releases - signed releases and consent forms must be returned prior to date of admission
5. Special Education Students: Evaluation Consent Forms/Extended Evaluation/Placement Forms
6. Regular Education Students: Initial Evaluation Forms/Placement Consent Forms

Discharge Meeting Procedures:

1. Review all reports from evaluations conducted during the placement period
2. Regular Education Students: School District SPED teams may determine eligibility for Special Education or Chapter 504 Accommodations
3. Utilize information gathered to formulate answers to the assessment questions and concerns identified at admission.
4. Review recommendations and determine specific course of action, including exploration of appropriate educational placements, services, and intervention plans
5. Determine discharge date and develop a transition plan to the next educational environment/ placement.

Responsibilities of the Referring School District:

School district liaisons are requested to provide as much information and relevant school records as possible to assist in the evaluation process, including:

• Mass. school health record
• Report cards
• Progress reports
• Discipline records
• Incident reports
• Individual Education Plans
• Past evaluations

Current teacher assessments are necessary in order to have the most recent information regarding the student’s academic, social/emotional, and behavioral functioning.

During the placement period, students will be provided a full day of academic instruction. School districts are required to provide the student’s instructional materials and a schedule of classwork and homework assignments. This information must be received prior to the student’s admission to allow the Assessment Program teaching staff to become familiar with the material and plan the student’s schedule.