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The OmbudsmanAlternative
An alternative program
for adolescent,
at-risk youth
McDuffie County Schools
Dr. Mark Petersen
Superintendent
April 2008
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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.
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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 graduatingwith a district or Ombudsman diploma over the last 31
years of the program's operation.
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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 atan affordable level typically less than the cost of
district-sponsored alternative programs
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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 toperform 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
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Ombudsman employs Dr. William Glasser's
philosophy on quality schools and non-
confrontational approaches to learning.
The Ombudsman program guides students intotaking 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.
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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.
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Ombudsman's learning centers are further
supported through the accreditation by the :
Commission on International and Trans-
regional Accreditation (CITA), the North Central Association of Schools and
Colleges (NCA),
the Southern Association of Colleges andSchools (SACS),
and the Middle States Association (MSCES).
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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 ofprofessionalism, 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.
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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 basisand/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 experiencesuccess by building and developing positive attitudes
toward learning so that each student can become a
contributing member of society.
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An Ombudsman program will not only
improve the graduation rate in a district, it
will more impo rtant ly change the
trajecto ry o f students ' l ives and g ive
every ind iv idual a chance to succeed.
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Graduation Rate
100% of students
referred to Ombudsman
are at risk of dropping out
Ombudsman graduates 75% of these
students
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Students Grades 6 - 12
Dropoutprevention
EnglishLanguageLearners
Chronicallytruant or absent
Credit recovery/remediation
Disruptive intraditional
school setting
Expelled/ long
term
suspension
Medical/Health
Condition
Individual
Educational
Plans
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Program Options
Flexibleconfigurations
Tailoredto meet your districts needs
Program optionsto meet the needs of yourstudents TraditionalMiddle and High School, Off-Site
Middle Grades- Extended day, On-Site
Plus- Special needs
Restart- Drop out recovery, night school
Summer school
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Educational Setting
Typically off-campusand usually occupies a storefront or
office suite
The intimate settings
of the learning center
serves no more than
20 studentswith
3 teachersper session
60 slots/seatsper center
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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
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Curriculum & Instruction
BASIBasic 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 StreamingK-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 NETOnline course system we use which is more research and standards based. (Also, Pearson Digital
product).
PLATOLearning software which covered grades 6-12 and also adjusts according to the level of each students asthey work through the program.
TutorsystemsSoftware system designed to help students master the basicsreading, grammar, and math.
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Research: Best Practices
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17 Best Practices
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Georgia Attendance Rates
2005-06 & 2006-07
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The Schedule
Typically open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.(M-F)
We follow referring districts calendar
Flexible sessionsoffered every day
Students are on-taskthe entire time they are in
school
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The Financial Benefits
District
keeps the
difference
No additional orhidden costs
Cost is less than
average per pupil cost
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The Middle States Commission onElementary Schools (MSCES)
The Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools (SACS)
The Commission on International andTrans-Regional Accreditation (CITA)
The North Central Association (NCA)
Ombudsman is accredited by:
Accreditation
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Georgia BASI Growth
2005-06 & 2006-07
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 Math Application Vocabulary Spelling Language MechanicsReading
Comprehension
GA 2005-06 5.72 6.68 5.80 7.00 5.57 6.37 6.25 7.25 5.37 6.29 4.80 5.50
GA 2006-07 6.33 7.45 6.34 8.27 6.31 7.63 7.33 8.92 6.14 7.78 5.79 7.32
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
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Georgia Credits Earned as a Percentage of
Possible 2005-06 & 2006-07
77%
86.85%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
05-06
06-07
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Georgia Graduation Rates
2005-06 & 2006-07
59%
89%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Graduation Rate 2005-06
Graduation Rate 2006-07
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Work Full Time Work Part Time Military Service Raise a Family Full Time Student Part Time Student
GA 2005-06 25.00% 58.33% 8.33% 8.33%
GA 2006-07 21.43% 7.14% 0.00% 0.00% 78.57% 21.43%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Georgia Post-Graduation Plans
2005-06 & 2006-07
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All current Crossroads
employees will be absorbed
into other schools/programs.
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Questions?
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