ASR's Violations of Massachusetts Education Law

[Deborah]

Of the 5 programs listed in Mass at NATSAP...

Academy at Swift River-  Private,no  Sp Ed,no
Therapeutic Boarding School
 
Ashby Academy-  Private,no  Sp Ed,no
Therapeutic Boarding School
 
F.L. Chamberlain School-   Private,no    Sp Ed,yes
Therapeutic Boarding School
 
John Dewey Academy-    Private,yes     Sp Ed,no
Therapeutic Boarding School & College Prep
 
Valley View School-  Private,yes   Sp Ed,no
Therapeutic Boarding School

http://www.natsap.org/programs_list.asp

[Troll Control]

Of the 5 programs listed in Mass at NATSAP...

Academy at Swift River-  Private,no  Sp Ed,no
Therapeutic Boarding School
 
Ashby Academy-  Private,no  Sp Ed,no
Therapeutic Boarding School
 
F.L. Chamberlain School-   Private,no    Sp Ed,yes
Therapeutic Boarding School
 
John Dewey Academy-    Private,yes     Sp Ed,no
Therapeutic Boarding School & College Prep
 
Valley View School-  Private,yes   Sp Ed,no
Therapeutic Boarding School

http://www.natsap.org/programs_list.asp

FL Chamberlin is a "TBS" with an "approved special ed program".  I guess some TBS's are able to pass the state's muster.  ASR must be unable to comply like this other TBS does.  At least parents can be more comfortable knowing there is a TBS that is overseen by the state.  I'd avoid ASR totally since they are obviously much lower quality school.

Valley View and John Dewey are both registered as private schools.

Ashby and ASR must be just treatment centers.  They don't have any approved status at all with the state.

[Deborah]

What exactly are they?
They aren't listed as Treatment Centers either.
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/residentialS ... RES%20CARE

[RobertBruce]

They're unapproved programs pretending to be Theraputic Boarding schools. They are neither approved nor licensed by anyone.

[Troll Control]

Chamberlain and ASR are both classified identically by the DoE, but ASR can't pass DoE standards for approval, as they have unqualified unlicensed teachers.

See what DoE says about a real school, Chamberlain:

The Massachusetts Department of Education recently completed an evaluation of the Frederic L. Chamberlain School.  The following are excerpts from their review:  
 
"The review team would like to commend the following features of the school that were brought to the attention of the team and that the team believes have a significant and positive impact on the delivery of educational services for student enrolled at Frederic L. Chamberlain School.  These features are as follows:"

The dedication and caring staff displayed for the students in the school was evident throughout the review through staff interviews, parent interviews and observations.

The New England buildings allow for a home-like atmosphere and with numerous personal touches, it is evident that there is a lot of pride in the school.

The curriculum offered to the students is a full continuum across all academic subjects.

The elective available for students to participate are wide and varied.  They include: golf, tennis, art, track, music, horseback riding, dance, gardening, and creative writing.

... a clinical focus for the students which is so important in meeting their overall health needs.  Parents report feeling very connected through the clinicians who are easily accessible and provide useful resources...

There are two laptop classrooms which truly are state-of-the-art.  

The psychiatry clinic offered on site allows for two psychiatrists to be on the school premises for a total of three and a half days per week.  

...overall safety and well-being of the students is of top priority for the administration.

...students were being challenged at their own level and that the curriculum was being modified for many of the students...

And they're properly licensed by DoE and the Office of Childcare Services:

Credentials

F. L. Chamberlain School is licensed by the
Massachusetts Office of Childcare services
and approved by the Massachusetts
Department of Education. The school is a
long standing member of the Massachusetts
Association of Approved Private Schools
and the National Association of Private
Schools for Exceptional Children.

If this school can get licensed properly and employ licensed teachers, it seems the only reason ASR won't is because they don't care enough about the kids to do the work or pay the money.  Obviously this school offers much higher quality of care and education than ASR and still meets all licensing and oversight commitments.  In fact, it exceeds all of them!  ASR is far below all of the standards.

ASR can't claim anything like this or even issue a state diploma because it's unaccredited.  What a shame ASR chooses to short-change families to increase profit.  Very sad and embarrassing for them. ops:  

[Deborah]

What an oversight.... The only one listed as an RTC is Chamberlain.
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/kr_regulations_main_rp.aspx

So, 1 out of 5 of the TBSs listed for Mass at NATSAP are properly licensed with EEC and properly classified as a Sp Ed School.

[Troll Control]

I never thought I'd say this, but Chamberlain actually looks like a high-quality school.  The only thing, and I mean the only thing, that makes me nervous is its association with NATSAP.  NATSAP has such a poor record and endorses shitholes like ASR.  Chamberlain should drop its NATSAP affiliation to avoid the stigma that comes with it.

[TheWho]

Yeah, but once they agree to be tied to the state regulations they will have to go back to using "Quattro pro" and hire drill sergeants, and drop down to state quality teachers... they will have to give up some of their "Private School " Status.... I would stay away from the state regulations...the kids cant get any better than 100% acceptance into college, why screw around with a good thing........

I would say it is a good decision to stay "Private"...... there are plenty of state run schools to choose from.

[Deborah]

Yeah, but once they agree to be tied to the state regulations they will have to go back to using "Quattro pro" and hire drill sergeants, and drop down to state quality teachers... they will have to give up some of their "Private School " Status.... I would stay away from the state regulations...the kids cant get any better than 100% acceptance into college, why screw around with a good thing........

I would say it is a good decision to stay "Private"...... there are plenty of state run schools to choose from.

 ::roflmao:: They're not even listed as Private.
No camo or drill stgs on the Chamberlain site. Apparently have certified teachers, since they are licensed by EEC. Apparently meet the Sp Ed qualifications as well.
You apparently have been misled about the role of regulation.

[Troll Control]

Yeah, but once they agree to be tied to the state regulations they will have to go back to using "Quattro pro" and hire drill sergeants, and drop down to state quality teachers... they will have to give up some of their "Private School " Status.... I would stay away from the state regulations...the kids cant get any better than 100% acceptance into college, why screw around with a good thing........

I would say it is a good decision to stay "Private"...... there are plenty of state run schools to choose from.

Looks like your opinion is'nt related to the real world, Who.

This school is so much better than ASR with real licensed teachers and staff, proper licenses for treatment and childcare.  ASR should strive to be like this - meet state regs and do way more than the minimum.  ASR doesn't even meet the minimum requirements.

This place completely invalidates your argument and is much better than ASR in every way.  This should be a model for TBS's to follow, not ASR's scam.

Some info on a Mass "TBS" that is properly licensed by OCS and approved by DoE.

ASR isn't qualified to carry this school's garbage cans...

Chamberlain and ASR are both classified identically by the DoE, but ASR can't pass DoE standards for approval, as they have unqualified unlicensed teachers.

See what DoE says about a real school, Chamberlain:

The Massachusetts Department of Education recently completed an evaluation of the Frederic L. Chamberlain School.  The following are excerpts from their review:  
 
"The review team would like to commend the following features of the school that were brought to the attention of the team and that the team believes have a significant and positive impact on the delivery of educational services for student enrolled at Frederic L. Chamberlain School.  These features are as follows:"

The dedication and caring staff displayed for the students in the school was evident throughout the review through staff interviews, parent interviews and observations.

The New England buildings allow for a home-like atmosphere and with numerous personal touches, it is evident that there is a lot of pride in the school.

The curriculum offered to the students is a full continuum across all academic subjects.

The elective available for students to participate are wide and varied.  They include: golf, tennis, art, track, music, horseback riding, dance, gardening, and creative writing.

... a clinical focus for the students which is so important in meeting their overall health needs.  Parents report feeling very connected through the clinicians who are easily accessible and provide useful resources...

There are two laptop classrooms which truly are state-of-the-art.  

The psychiatry clinic offered on site allows for two psychiatrists to be on the school premises for a total of three and a half days per week.  

...overall safety and well-being of the students is of top priority for the administration.

...students were being challenged at their own level and that the curriculum was being modified for many of the students...

And they're properly licensed by DoE and the Office of Childcare Services:

Credentials

F. L. Chamberlain School is licensed by the
Massachusetts Office of Childcare services
and approved by the Massachusetts
Department of Education. The school is a
long standing member of the Massachusetts
Association of Approved Private Schools
and the National Association of Private
Schools for Exceptional Children.

If this school can get licensed properly and employ licensed teachers, it seems the only reason ASR won't is because they don't care enough about the kids to do the work or pay the money.  Obviously this school offers much higher quality of care and education than ASR and still meets all licensing and oversight commitments.  In fact, it exceeds all of them!  ASR is far below all of the standards.

ASR can't claim anything like this or even issue a state diploma because it's unaccredited.  What a shame ASR chooses to short-change families to increase profit.  Very sad and embarrassing for them. ops:  

[TheWho]

They do a good job, I agree......Everything listed, ASR has plus more (not sure about the lap top classrooms, though).... I didn’t see white water rafting or cross country skiing listed (tongue in cheek), nor did they claim to have 100% of their graduates get accepted into college.
I was impressed with the write up, good for them.. it is a lot of hard work…but some schools just don’t want that type of state oversight and I don’t blame them.  A school maintains more control over their own destiny if they stay private and out from under state control….there are advantages either way I suppose.

[RobertBruce]

They do a good job, I agree......Everything listed, ASR has plus more (not sure about the lap top classrooms, though).... I didn’t see white water rafting or cross country skiing listed (tongue in cheek), nor did they claim to have 100% of their graduates get accepted into college.
I was impressed with the write up, good for them.. it is a lot of hard work…but some schools just don’t want that type of state oversight and I don’t blame them.  A school maintains more control over their own destiny if they stay private and out from under state control….there are advantages either way I suppose.

Interesting to note, ASR doesn't claim 100% of it's students are accepted into college. That's just something you apparently made up.

I also wonder if youre still purposely confusing a school with state oversight versus a state run program. These are two very different things yet you continue to mix them up. Is this because youre a moron, or are you simply trying to scare parents?

It also appears as if youre still advocating for ASR and programs like it to be allowed to operate outside of the law.

Can you justify this for us?

[Anonymous]

umm, look it seems like monty python's argument shop...yes they are, no they arn't.  i followed the link and true i could not find ASR on the site but i found the site a little confusing so there is nothing saying they are not either.......i was wondering if anyone called this mohawk school district and asked someone there???   seems to me that would be very conclusive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Troll Control]

I have a call in to the MTRSD PQA liason.  Just waiting for the response.

But what are you confused about?  DoE specifically classifies ASR as a Special Education School with no approved program.  ASR is unaccredited.  There is no evidence to suggest any licensed teachers (in fact ASR will verify this if you call them, they don't lie about it).

ASR is unlicensed by EEC and OCS.  This is simply verified thru the respective websites.

What specifically are you confused about?

[TheWho]

umm, look it seems like monty python's argument shop...yes they are, no they arn't.  i followed the link and true i could not find ASR on the site but i found the site a little confusing so there is nothing saying they are not either.......i was wondering if anyone called this mohawk school district and asked someone there???   seems to me that would be very conclusive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is confusing.  ASR is classified by the state as a "Special Ed school" because that was the best fit for them according to the state.  They could have been classified as a "Private Boarding school"  but they provide therapy.  They do not have an approved program because if they did they would be subjected to all the regulations of the state, so ASR is happy to stay Private.
Unless a school is looking to benifit from being approved, like getting state money and grants etc. there is no reason to seek approval and be subjected to state regulations.