The Ombudsman Alternative An alternative program for adolescent, at-risk youth

McDuffie County Schools Dr. Mark Petersen Superintendent

April 2008

 Ombudsman Educational Services (Ombudsman) is a service division of Educational Services of America, the nation's leading provider of K-12, postsecondary, alternative and special education services. Ombudsman provides an alternative education program in an off campus business like setting for students who have behavioral problems that have led to suspension or expulsion from school, students who need to recoup credits due to truancy and non attendance problems, students who have experiences academic failure in core subjects, and students who are unmotivated and socially disengaged.

 Ombudsman was founded in 1975 in Illinois as an optional educational program for at-risk students referred by local school districts. Today, Ombudsman serves over 100 school districts in 16 states throughout the country. The success of the Ombudsman program can be illustrated by the program's overall success rate of 85% of students successfully returning to their home school districts, remaining in the program to earn credit or graduating with a district or Ombudsman diploma over the last 31 years of the program's operation.

 Ombudsman provides a cost effective, turn-key alternative learning solution in partnership with school districts attempting to meet the needs of diverse student populations. As one of the most experienced private providers of alternative education for both middle school and high school students, Ombudsman delivers an individualized and meaningful education for the at risk population. Ombudsman strives to keep the cost of the program at an affordable level typically less than the cost of district-sponsored alternative programs

 The Ombudsman curriculum is based on proficiency in seven major areas: essential learning skills (reading, writing, and mathematics), science, citizenship, health and recreation, aesthetics, life management, and career/college preparation. Each student is expected to perform in all areas of proficiency areas. Furthermore, the curriculum is carefully scoped and sequenced from the elementary to the college level and is aligned to the Georgia Performance Standards. The program utilizes a number of purchased curriculum platforms as well as our own proprietary programs and material

 Ombudsman employs Dr. William Glasser's philosophy on quality schools and nonconfrontational approaches to learning. The Ombudsman program guides students into taking responsibility for their actions and demonstrating a commitment to learning. By focusing on quality work and providing students with a unique and technologically enhanced learning environment, students are motivated to succeed.

 The Ombudsman option provides students with a low student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 and a dedicated staff of professionals in a technology enhanced learning environment. Ombudsman learning centers are equipped with state-of-the art computers and individualized work stations to ensure each student's ability to be fully engaged in learning. The individualized attention that each student receives while at the center allows for each student to reach his/her personal best.

 Ombudsman's learning centers are further supported through the accreditation by the : Commission on International and Transregional Accreditation (CITA), the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCA), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the Middle States Association (MSCES).

 Ombudsman recognizes that one of the most important elements of our program is the relationship that our teachers develop with their students. This relationship is a key factor in the positive student outcome. The Ombudsman teaching staff possesses a high degree of professionalism, emotional maturity, general intelligence, willingness to change instruction strategies, and a passion for teaching the non-traditional student. OES teachers are selected for their potential and their capability of working effectively with "at risk" students. OES recruits, interviews, hires, and trains professionally qualified teachers and assistants to ensure the delivery of a quality academic program.

 Throughout the 31 years of service to more than 100,000 students, Ombudsman students have expressed the feeling of success for the first time, achieving academic goals necessary to earn promotion to the next grade, accruing credits on a semester basis and/or graduating from high school or being promoted from middle school. We believe no student needs to fail. It is our mission, as educators, to help all students fulfill their potential. Ombudsman helps students experience success by building and developing positive attitudes toward learning so that each student can become a contributing member of society.

 An Ombudsman program will not only improve the graduation rate in a district, it will more importantly change the trajectory of students' lives and give every individual a chance to succeed.

Graduation Rate
100% of students referred to Ombudsman are at risk of dropping out Ombudsman graduates 75% of these students

Students Grades 6 - 12
Disruptive in traditional school setting

Chronically truant or absent

Credit recovery/ remediation

English Language Learners

Dropout prevention

Expelled/ long term suspension

Medical/Health Condition

Individual Educational Plans

Program Options
Flexible configurations Tailored to meet your districts needs Program options to meet the needs of your students
Traditional Middle and High School, Off-Site Middle Grades - Extended day, On-Site Plus - Special needs Restart - Drop out recovery, night school Summer school

Educational Setting
Typically off-campus and usually occupies a storefront or office suite The intimate settings of the learning center serves no more than 20 students with 3 teachers per session

60 slots/seats per center

Guiding Principles
Low student: teacher ratios

Diagnostic Assessment & Individual Learning Plan

Competency based program aligned to the Georgia

Performance Standards
Comprehensive scope and sequence Grades 6 - 12

Seven Major Competency Areas

Curriculum & Instruction

BASI
Basic Achievement Skills Inventory which is a product of Pearson Digital Learning and what is used for assessing students before creating their individualized instruction plan.

United Streaming
K-12 video on demand system that was developed by Discovery Learning and helps us supplement online instruction in every subject area from language arts to health, science, and life management or career/college planning.

Nova NET
Online course system we use which is more research and standards based. (Also, Pearson Digital product).

PLATO
Learning software which covered grades 6-12 and also adjusts according to the level of each students as they work through the program.

Tutorsystems
Software system designed to help students master the basicsreading, grammar, and math.

Research: Best Practices

17 Best Practices

Georgia Attendance Rates 2005-06 & 2006-07

The Schedule
Typically open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (M-F) We follow referring districts calendar Flexible sessions offered every day

Students are on-task the entire time they are in

school

The Financial Benefits

District keeps the difference

No additional or hidden costs

Cost is less than average per pupil cost

Accreditation
Ombudsman is accredited by:

The Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA)

The North Central Association (NCA)

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) The Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools (MSCES)

Georgia BASI Growth 2005-06 & 2006-07

10.00 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00
Entry Level Exit Level Entry Level Exit Level Entry Level Exit Level Entry Level Exit Level Entry Level Exit Level Entry Level Exit Level Math Computation GA 2005-06 GA 2006-07 5.72 6.33 6.68 7.45 Math Application 5.80 6.34 7.00 8.27 Vocabulary 5.57 6.31 6.37 7.63 Spelling 6.25 7.33 7.25 8.92 Language Mechanics 5.37 6.14 6.29 7.78 Reading Comprehension 4.80 5.79 5.50 7.32

Georgia Credits Earned as a Percentage of Possible 2005-06 & 2006-07

100% 90% 80% 70% 60%
05-06

86.85% 77%

50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

06-07

Georgia Graduation Rates 2005-06 & 2006-07

100%

89%
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 59%
Graduation Rate 2005-06 Graduation Rate 2006-07

Georgia Post-Graduation Plans 2005-06 & 2006-07

90%

80%
70%

60%
50%

40%
30% 20% 10% 0%
GA 2005-06 GA 2006-07 Work Full Time 25.00% 21.43% Work Part Time 58.33% 7.14% Military Service 8.33% 0.00% Raise a Family 8.33% 0.00% 78.57% 21.43% Full Time Student Part Time Student

 All current Crossroads employees will be absorbed into other schools/programs.

Questions?