Section:
Most Recently Amended by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, December 16, 2014. Effective January 1, 2016.
(1) Admissions.
(a) No school, or program operated by a school, shall enroll eligible students under the provisions of 603 CMR 28.00 unless approved to do so by the Department.
(b) Prior to admission, the school shall provide to the parents and the local school district a written copy of the school's policies and procedures, including:
The school's statement of purpose;
The type of services provided;
Admission criteria;
Parents' rights as described in 18.05(4);
Health care, including provisions for emergency health care and/or hospitalization as described in 18.05(9);
Planning for both foreseen and emergency terminations as described in 18.05(6), (7);
Methods of behavior support, violence prevention, discipline, management of harmful behavior by a student to himself/herself or others, and proper use of restraints as described in 18.05(5);
Activities related to daily living skills;
Contractual obligations with regard to payment for services. The school shall inform in writing any party, other than a local school district, responsible for placement of a student that said party is financially responsible for any costs incurred as a result of any placement not made pursuant to the requirements of 603 CMR 28.00;
Clothing requirements;
A description of normal daily routines;
Any specific treatment strategy employed by the facility;
A description of any normally occurring religious practices;
Visiting hours and other procedures related to communication with students and the facility as described in 18.036(9);
Name and telephone number of a staff person whom the parents may contact on an ongoing basis;
A description of a procedure which the parents or student may use to register complaints regarding the student's education and care at the facility.
A copy of the approved school calendar.
(c) No student shall be placed in any approved special education school until the local school district or the parent provides documentation from a licensed physician of a complete physical examination of the student not more than twelve (12) months prior to the admission. In the event of emergency placements, the school shall make provisions for a complete examination of the student within 30 days of admission. The results of all physical examinations shall be made part of the student's health record.
(2) Admission Interview.
(a) Prior to admission, and upon request, the director of the school or designee shall be available to the parents, the student and the public school for an interview.
(b) The interview shall include an explanation of the school's purpose and services, policies regarding parent and student rights including student records, the health program including the procedures for providing emergency health care, and the procedure for termination of a student.
(c) The interview shall allow the opportunity for the student and parents to see the facilities, to meet staff members, and to meet other students enrolled.
(3) Placement Preparation for Residential Students.
(a) The school shall establish procedures to prepare the staff and students in the living unit for the new student's arrival and shall provide staff with appropriate information to receive the new student and assist in his/her adjustment.
(b) Upon admission, the school shall designate and prepare sleeping quarters for the student and space for the student's personal belongings.
(c) The school shall assign at least one staff member to help orient a newly admitted student to the facility and to explain the opportunities and programs available.
(4) Parental Involvement.
(a) The school shall have a written plan for involving parents, and shall have a Parents' Advisory Group. The Parents' Advisory Group shall advise the school on matters that pertain to the education, health, and safety of the students in the program.
(b) The school shall have a procedure for assuring that it is informed by a parent or guardian of any changes in a student's legal status and of the results of all judicial and administrative proceedings concerning the student, and for disseminating this information to appropriate personnel.
(5) Behavior Support.
(a) Each school shall provide a written statement of the rules, policies and procedures for the behavior support of students. The statement shall contain a description of the safeguards for the emotional, physical and psychological well-being of the population served; measures for positive responses to appropriate behavior; and definition and explanation of behavior management procedures used in the facility including, where applicable:
Methods of assessing and monitoring students' progress in the program;
The type and range of restrictions a staff member can impose for behavior which is unacceptable;
The type of restraint used in an emergency; the array of interventions used as alternatives to restraint; and the controls on the misuse and abuse of restraint;
The use of the behavioral support strategy of time-out;
Any denial or restrictions of on-grounds program services.
(b) Students shall participate in the establishment of such rules, policies and procedures whenever feasible and appropriate.
(c) Prior to admission, the school shall provide students and parents with a written copy of its behavior support policy.
(d) The school shall inform parents and students of any significant changes in the behavior management procedures.
(e) No student shall be subjected to abuse or neglect, cruel, unusual, severe or corporal punishment, including the following practices:
Any type of physical hitting or pain inflicted in any manner upon the body;
Requiring or forcing the student to take an uncomfortable position such as squatting or bending or requiring or forcing the student to repeat physical movements when used as punishment;
Punishments which subject the student to verbal abuse, ridicule or humiliation;
Denial of visitation or communication privileges with family;
Denial of sufficient sleep;
Denial of shelter, bedding, food or bathroom facilities.
(f) The goal of behavior support shall be to maximize the growth and development of the student and to protect the group and the individuals in it.
(g) The school shall directly relate consequences to the specific misbehavior and shall apply such consequences without prolonged delay.
(h) Day educational programs approved under 603 CMR 28.09 shall develop a policy on the use of physical restraint and administer physical restraint in accordance with the requirements of 603 CMR 46.00. Residential educational programs approved under 603 CMR 28.09 shall comply with the requirements contained in 102 CMR 3.00 except for the school day, during which the requirements of 603 CMR 46.00 shall apply for students enrolled in such programs. Educational programs within a program or facility subject to M.G. L.c.123 or Department of Mental Health Regulations shall comply with the restraint requirements of M.G.L.c.123, 104 CMR 27.12 or 104 CMR 28.05, as applicable.
(i) Any behavior support policy which results in a student being separated in a room apart from the group or program activities shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Guidelines for staff in the utilization of such an area;
Persons responsible for implementing such procedures;
The duration of the procedures including procedures for approval by the chief administrative person or his/her designee for any period longer than 30 minutes, except that during the school day in a residential educational program, and in an day educational program approved under 603 CMR 28.09, the duration of the procedures shall be governed by 603 CMR 46.00;
Requirement that students shall be observable at all times and in all parts of the room, and that the staff shall be in close proximity at all times;
A procedure for staff to directly observe the student at least every fifteen minutes;
A means of documenting the use of such area including, at a minimum, length of time, reasons for this intervention, who approved the procedure, and who directly observed the student at least every fifteen minutes.
(i) Time out rooms shall not be locked.
(ii) Any room or space used for the practice of separation must be physically safe and appropriate to the population served by the facility.
(6) Suspension.
(a) Upon admission of a student, the school shall provide a written policy on suspensions to the parents, and the school district or human service agency that placed the student. Such policy shall conform to the federal requirements on discipline pursuant to 34 CFR §300.
(b) Whenever a student is suspended, the school shall immediately notify the parents or the Department of Social Services as appropriate, and the public school or human service agency responsible for the placement. Within 24 hours, the school shall send a written statement explaining the reasons for suspension to the parents or the Department of Social Services as appropriate and the public school district and human service agency responsible for the placement.
(c) No student may be suspended and sent home unless a responsible adult is available to receive the student.
(d) Once a student has been suspended for three (3) consecutive school days or five (5) non-consecutive school days in a school year, the school, parents, and public school district, consistent with federal requirements, shall explore together all possible program modifications within the school in an attempt to prevent total suspension of the student from the program.
(7) Termination.
(a) Upon admission of a student pursuant to 603 CMR 28.00, the school shall ascertain a school district contact person. The school shall keep such person informed of the progress of the student and shall notify that person immediately if termination or discharge of the student is being discussed.
(b) The school shall, at the time of admission, make a commitment to the public school district or appropriate human service agency that it will try every available means to maintain the student's placement until the local Administrator of Special Education or officials of the appropriate human service agency have had sufficient time to search for an alternative placement.
(c) Planned Terminations:
Except in emergency cases, the school shall notify the school district of the need for an IEP review meeting. The school district shall arrange such meeting and provide to all parties including the parent and if appropriate, the student, notice of this meeting (10) days in advance of the intended date of the meeting. The meeting shall be held for the purpose of planning and developing a written termination plan for the student.
The plan shall describe the student's specific program needs, the short and long term educational goals of the program, and recommendations for follow-up and/or transitional services.
The school shall thoroughly explain termination procedures to the student, the parents, the Administrator of Special Education and officials of the appropriate human service agency.
The written termination plan shall be implemented in no less than (30) days unless all parties agree to an earlier termination date.
(d) In case of an emergency termination, which shall be defined as circumstances in which the student presents a clear and present threat to the health and safety of him/herself or others, the school shall follow the procedures required under 603 CMR 28.09(12).
(8) Research, Experimentation. Fund Raising, Publicity and Observation.
(a) The school shall not conduct any of the following without prior written notification to, and the prior written specific consent of, the affected student's parent. For students in the Department of Social Services care or custody, an Educational Surrogate Parent shall not have authority to consent to any of the following. For such students, consent shall be obtained consistent with the applicable Department of Social Services requirements. There also shall be consent by the student (if 14 years of age or older), unless the school has written documentation that the student is not capable of such a decision. A written copy of the school's notification to parents and the parent's consent, if granted, shall be sent to the school district responsible for the student.
Research or experimentation;
Use of the student's or family's name, photographs, or videotapes, for fund raising, publicity, or any other purposes.
(b) The school shall not allow, without the written specific consent of the affected student's parents observation of any student in the school by persons other than parents of current or prospective students, paid staff of the school, volunteers and student interns working in the school, authorized staff of the public schools responsible for students in the school, authorized staff of the Department or authorized state or federal monitoring personnel. For students in the Department of Social Services care or custody, an Educational Surrogate Parent shall not have authority to consent to observations of the student as provided above. For such students, consent shall be obtained consistent with the applicable Department of Social Services requirements.
(c) The consent required under section 18.05(8)(a) is not required for observation or data collection used to evaluate or document the services provided by the program when such observation or data collection is conducted by staff from the school, the Department, the public school, the parents or authorized state or federal monitoring personnel.
(d) The school shall develop and maintain a written policy regarding the requirements of subsections 18.05(a),(b),(c) and shall make this policy available to parents and public schools.
(9) Health and Medical Services. The school shall provide a narrative description of provision made for medical, nursing and infirmary care of students.
(a) The school shall have a licensed physician available for consultation.
(b) The school shall have a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse available as deemed necessary by the Department depending upon the health care needs of the school population.
(c) The school shall have available either a physician or a registered nurse who shall aid in the development of the health care policies for the school.
(d) The school shall have a written health care policy and procedures manual which shall be made available to all staff. The health care manual shall be approved by the health care consultant and shall include all applicable policies and procedures.
(e) The school shall have written policies and procedures for emergency first aid and care including:
Training of all direct service staff by a certified instructor in emergency first aid.
Adequate first aid supplies, including but not limited to band aids, gauze, adhesive tape hydrogen peroxide or other cleaning solutions and ipecac shall be maintained and stored in a secure place, out of the reach of students. First aid supplies should be located and easily accessible in each major activity area.
Written procedures for providing first aid shall be kept with the first aid supplies.
The telephone number of the fire department, police station, poison prevention center, hospital emergency room, and ambulance service serving the school shall be posted in both living quarters and educational facilities.
The procedures to be followed in the case of illness or emergency, including transportation methods and notification of parents.
The procedures to be followed in event of fire or other emergency.
A procedure for informing parents or the Department of Social Services if appropriate of any medical care administered to their child other than basic first aid. For students in the Department of Social Services care or custody, an Educational Surrogate Parent shall not have authority to consent to routine or other medical care. For such students, consent shall be obtained consistent with the applicable Department of Social Services requirements.
The procedures to be followed in the case of illness or emergency if the parents cannot be reached.
(f) The school shall describe in writing its procedures and policies regarding the administration of medication:
No medication shall be administered to a student without written authorization from a parent. Such authorization shall be renewed annually.
No prescription medication shall be administered to the student without the written order of the physician prescribing the medication for the student.
The school shall have written policies and procedures regarding prescriptions and administrations, and procedures shall include the following:
Administration Procedures: The school shall identify in writing all persons authorized by law, regulation, and the school to prescribe and administer medication to a student. The school shall also develop procedures to:
(i) document the prescription and administration of all medication;
(ii) provide notification to attending physicians of significant changes in behavior or in a student's health that may result from medication.
(iii) record significant side effects of medication.
Prepackaging: A school may request that prescription dosages be prepackaged by the pharmacist to facilitate administration.
Staff Training: All staff shall be provided with copies of the school's policies and procedures regarding administration of medication. Staff providing care and instruction to a student receiving medication shall be given instruction by a physician or registered nurse regarding the nature of the medication, potential side effects, and any special precautions or requirements that may need to be observed. Only trained staff shall administer medication.
Any change of medication or dosage must be authorized by a new order from a physician.
A written record of the administration of prescribed medication to students shall be maintained.
All medicine shall be kept in a locked, secure cabinet and labeled with the student's name, the name of the drug, and the directions for its administration. The school shall dispose of or return to the parents any unused medication. Medications must be delivered to the school by a responsible adult in a container labeled by the physician or pharmacist. Provision must be made for refrigerating those medications which require it.
The school shall have a written policy regarding the amount of medication to be kept on the premises at any one time for each student receiving medication.
A review of medications administered to a student shall be incorporated into all progress reviews conducted for the student.
The school shall not administer or arrange for the administration of antipsychotic medications except under the following circumstances. Antipsychotic medication shall mean drugs which are used in treating psychoses and alleviating psychotic states.
Any antipsychotic medication shall be prescribed by a licensed physician for the diagnosis, treatment and care of the child, and only after review of the student's medical record and actual observation of the student.
If antipsychotic medication is prescribed, the prescribing physician shall submit a written report to the school detailing the necessity for the medication; the staff monitoring requirements, if any; potential side effects that may or may not require medical attention; and the next scheduled clinical meeting or series of meetings with the student.
No antipsychotic prescription shall be administered for a period longer than is medically necessary, as determined by the prescribing physician after meeting with the student, reviewing the student's progress, and examining the student for potential side effects. All meetings with the student after the initial meeting shall be on a schedule determined by the physician as sufficient to monitor the student while on antipsychotic medication.
Staff providing care to a student receiving antipsychotic medication shall be instructed regarding the nature of the medication, potential side effects that may or may not require medical attention and required monitoring or special precautions, if any.
Except in an emergency, as defined in 18.05 (9)(g), the school shall neither administer nor arrange for the prescription and administration of antipsychotic medication unless informed written consent is obtained. For students in the Department of Social Services care or custody, an Educational Surrogate Parent shall not have authority to consent to administration of any medication for routine or emergency purposes. For such students, consent shall be obtained consistent with the applicable Department of Social Services requirements. Except for students in the care or custody of the Department of Social Services, informed written consent shall be obtained in the following manner: If a student is in the custody of his/her parent(s), parental consent (in writing or in a witnessed conversation) is required. Parental consent pursuant to this subparagraph may be revoked at any time unless subject to any court order. If the parent does not consent or is not available to give consent, the referral source shall be notified and judicial approval shall be sought. If a student is in the custody of a person other than the parent, a placement agency or an out-of-state public or private agency, the referral source shall be notified and judicial approval shall be sought.
The school shall inform a student twelve years of age and older, consistent with the student's capacity to understand, about the treatment, risks and potential side effects of such medication. The school shall have procedures to follow if the student refuses to take the medication.
In an emergency situation, antipsychotic medication may be administered for treatment purposes without parental consent or prior judicial approval if an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state calls for immediate action and there is no less intrusive alternative to the medication. The treating physician must determine in his/her professional judgement that medication is necessary to prevent the immediate substantial and irreversible deterioration of a serious mental illness. If the treating physician determines that medication should continue, informed consent or judicial approval must be obtained as required by 18.05(9) (e).
(g) The school shall describe in writing a plan for the preventive health care of students:
The school, in cooperation with the student's parents and/or human service agency which is responsible for payment, shall make provision for each student to receive an annual comprehensive medical and dental examination. The school shall require a written report from the physician(s) of the results of the examination and any recommendation and/or modification of the student's activity.
The school shall, in cooperation with the student's public school, develop a plan to ensure that vision, hearing, postural and other required screenings are conducted in accor-dance with M.G.L. c.71, s.57.
The school shall have a policy and procedure for assuring that a student or staff member who has a reported communicable disease shall be author-ized by a physician to continue to be present within the school and for notifying all parents and referring agencies of the introduction of a reported communicable disease into the school. The local board of health must be notified in accordance with M.G.L. C. 111, s.111.
The school shall provide a locked, secure cabinet to keep all toxic substances, medications, sharp objects and matches (other than those available to students with permission to smoke) out of the reach of students. Medications and medical supplies should not be locked in the same cabinet as other toxic substances. Toxic substances must be labeled with contents and antidote. The phone number for the nearest poison center must be posted clearly.
Where appropriate, the school shall provide or arrange for the provision of family planning information, subject to any applicable state or federal legislation.
The school shall require that all students have necessary immunizations as required by the Department of Public Health.
(h) The school shall describe in writing its policy for protecting a student from exposure to foods, chemicals, or other materials to which they are allergic, as stated by their physician/medical assessment.
(i) The school shall describe in writing procedures and staff training relative, to the reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Services as required by M.G.L. c.119, s.51A and B or, for students over the age of 18, to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission.
(j) The school shall have on file a signed consent form for treatment of acute medical problems. The consent must be signed by the parents and be updated annually.
(k) In the absence of an emergency or epidemic of disease declared by the Department of Public Health, the school shall not require any student to receive medical treatment when the parents object thereto on the ground that such treatment conflicts with a religious belief.
(10) Emergency Procedures. The school shall establish and post a written plan detailing procedures for meeting potential emergencies. The plan shall include procedures for:
(a) The assignment of personnel to specific tasks and responsibilities in emergency situations;
(b) Instructions for the use of alarm systems and signals;
(c) Systems for notification of appropriate persons;
(d) Specification of evacuation routes and procedures;
(e) The conduct of emergency drills for staff, at least quarterly and under varied conditions, in order to:
Assure that all personnel on all shifts are trained to perform assigned tasks;
Assure that all personnel on all shifts are familiar with the use of the firefighting equipment in the facility; and
Evaluate in writing the effectiveness of emergency plans and procedures.
(f) The conduct of evacuation drills which include actual evacuation of students to safe areas during at least two drills each year on each shift. Sufficient drills must be held each year to ensure that all students are able to evacuate the building safely.
The school shall take special care to help all students to understand the nature of such drills.
The school shall make special provisions for the evacuation of any mobility impaired student in the facility.
The school shall keep a written log of each such evacuation drill, detailing such things as the date, the time elapsed, the students and staff who participated, and any witnesses.
(g) Provision of a telephone number for students and staff to call and a system for emergency assistance to students while they are away from the facility and during the time that the school is in session. The school also shall be responsible for providing immediate backup that may be necessary as the result of any emergency.
(h) Maintenance of an ongoing safety program which shall include but not be limited to investigation and recording of all accidents and recommendations for accident prevention. The school shall send copies of such investigations, records, and recommendations to the Department.
(i) Water safety procedures which shall be in accord with the requirements of the local and/or state health departments and Department requirements for appropriately certified personnel and which shall provide for:
Insuring the students' safety when participating in recreational and/or therapeutic water activities; and
A system to secure water recreational areas when not in use and to prevent unauthorized use by students.
(j) Procedures for reporting and handling situations involving students who have run away.
(11) Personnel Policies. The school must provide a detailed description of its personnel policies.
(a) Each school shall designate one person who shall have administrative responsibility over the operation of the school. Schools with more than 40 professional certified staff may have one (or more) assistant administrators provided the Department approves such positions.
(b) The administrator or designee shall at all times be on the premises of the school while the school is in operation. All staff on duty shall know who is responsible for administration of the school at any given time.
(c) The school shall have available its written current personnel policies and practices. Such personnel policies shall include a description of:
Criteria and procedures for hiring, written evaluations, suspension or dismissal of any staff person, including teacher and staff evaluation forms;
The procedures for handling staff complaints; and
Provisions for vacations, holidays, leaves, sick days, and any other benefits or requirements maintained by the school.
(d) The school shall have written job descriptions for all staff positions which shall be made available to staff. Copies also shall be made available to parents, if requested.
(e) The school shall establish in writing a salary range including benefits covering all positions and shall inform each employee of the same for his/her position.
(f) The school shall submit written evidence that personnel are currently certified, licensed, or registered as required by applicable laws and regulations for providing services for the special education of the particular population typically served or to be served by such school. Such evidence must be submitted annually for all newly hired staff members.
(g) The school shall provide orientation for all new staff to ensure an understanding of the school's philosophy, organization, program, practices and goals. The school shall describe in writing the school's program for staff orientation.
(h) The school shall describe in writing its plan for developing and delivering inservice training.
Each staff member providing direct services to students must participate in a minimum of two hours of staff development each month.
The school shall describe in writing its arrangements with any professional training program, including a description of student intern responsibilities and supervision of student interns by the college and the school.
(i) The school shall describe in writing its plan for using volunteer services. Volunteers shall be chosen for their ability to meet the needs of the students enrolled and shall be provided appropriate orientation, training, and supervision.
(j) The school shall describe in writing its policies and practices regarding equal employment/ educational opportunities/affirmative action in regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, and handicap.
Disclaimer: For an official copy of these regulations, please contact the State House Bookstore, at 617-727-2834 or visit Massachusetts State Bookstore.
Last Updated: January 12, 2016
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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