Approved Special Education Schools

OASES Integrated Monitoring Phases: Ongoing Review and Monitoring

In addition to integrated monitoring reviews, DESE collects and monitors multiple types of information and data relating to Programs throughout the school year. This includes the following: restraints occurring during school hours, communications with Department of Early Education and Care, reports of abuse and neglect, PRS complaints and decisions, Bureau of Special Education Appeals decisions and rulings, corrective action reports, and notifications to the Department regarding incidences and changes to the Program. OASES liaisons contact Programs to seek additional information and clarification and follow up with targeted monitoring (described below) as needed.

Targeted Monitoring

If DESE identifies a potential area of noncompliance outside of the regular cyclical monitoring review through continuous data review or other sources, then due diligence is completed to gather relevant information to make a determination. Follow up with the Program may include but is not limited to:

  • Request for submission of relevant policies/procedures and/or documentation; and

  • Announced or unannounced onsite visit(s) to gather additional information

    • Staff and/or student record review,
    • Interviews with relevant staff,
    • Facility/classroom observations, and/or
    • Document review, if necessary

Upon a review of all relevant data and information, DESE determines what, if any, follow-up is required. If DESE identifies noncompliance, a written notification of noncompliance (finding) is issued to the Program. The finding must be provided in a timely manner but no longer than three months after DESE determines noncompliance. If corrective action is required, DESE also determines if Program approval status should be updated based upon the areas of noncompliance identified. Any areas of noncompliance are documented in writing and must be corrected by the Program as soon as possible and in no case later than one year after the identification of the noncompliance.

Coherence, Collaboration, and Data Sharing Across DESE

As part of the Department's general supervision system, OASES shares relevant data and information regarding students with other units within DESE to help inform their internal practices and other activities. Approximately, monthly, OASES provides a report of the following data to DESE's Public School Monitoring unit:

  • Unsigned IEPs,
  • Placement documents, and/or
  • Contracts from public school districts.

OASES collaborates with DESE's Problem Resolution Systems unit regarding complaints filed against Programs. Data relevant to an open complaint may include but is not limited to:

  • Current corrective action plans,
  • Previous findings of noncompliance,
  • Previous complaints reviewed by OASES, and/or
  • Outcome of unannounced and/or unannounced onsite visits.

OASES also shares other data and information with other units at the Department as it deems appropriate.

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

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