State education officials will be in Dartmouth in early December to conduct a routine review of the school district. 

Staff from the  Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring will conduct in-person monitoring during the week of December 9.

The visit is part of a compliance monitoring program to ensure the district is following state and federal special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students. 

Officials will review student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team process, and IEP development and implementation.

During the on-site review, officials will interview the chairperson of the Dartmouth Special Education Parent Advisory Council and district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations. 

In addition to the on-site visit, officials will seek parent input during the review process. Parents of students with disabilities will be sent an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. 

The public may request a telephone interview with the monitoring officials by calling (781) 338-3736. Accommodations such as translation services will be provided. 

A final report of the visit will be released to the school district within 60 days of the visit. The report will be made available online at www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/reports/.