Assessment/Accountability
Program Quality Assurance Services
Compliance and Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are Questions and Answers frequently posed to the staff in Program Quality Assurance Services (PQA). Please explore these questions and resources. We hope you will find the information you need.

1. What is PQA? What does this part of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) do?

2. Describe the Department's complaint management system called the "Problem Resolution System." How does one file a formal complaint against a public school district, charter school, educational collaborative or a private special education school?

3. How can I find laws and regulations about special education?

4. What documents has ESE produced about special education in Massachusetts?

5. Can you suggest some other resources about special education?

6. What if a student is having trouble with reading, math, or behavior, and is not eligible for special education?

7. What is Section 504, and what is a "504 plan"?

8. What programs does PQA monitor and does PQA provide technical assistance on these programs?

9. Where can I find information regarding requirements for programs serving young children ages 3 and 4?

10. Where can I find information about state and federal "education reform" related issues?

11. What are the rules about when and where a student can enroll in public school?

12. How often, and when, does ESE monitor public school districts and charter schools for compliance with state and federal education requirements?

13. How and when does ESE monitor educational collaborative programs for special education?

14. How and when does ESE monitor approved private special education schools?

15. How does a public or private day or residential special education school become a "ESE approved" program?

16. Can a student be placed in an unapproved private special education school program, inside or outside Massachusetts?

17. Does ESE monitor or accept complaints about "private" schools other than private special education schools?

18. Schools and/or districts are required by law to report certain developments (e.g. injury sustained from use of restraint). In some instances, districts (and charter schools, collaboratives, and private special education schools), must seek prior approval from ESE for a waiver of a legal requirement (e.g. waiver of special education class size). Where does one find the right forms?

19. What role does the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education play with respect to home education, and what resources are available to assist parents who are interested in educating their children at home?

20. Help! I've done all my homework, but I still need more information. How can I find the right person in the ESE whom I may personally contact?

Kindly direct Questions, corrections, comments, and suggestions about PQA's website to compliance@doe.mass.edu

Thank you for visiting PQA Website!