mcduffie - public presentation

8/13/2019 McDuffie - Public Presentation

1/32

The OmbudsmanAlternative

An alternative program

for adolescent,

at-risk youth

McDuffie County Schools

Dr. Mark Petersen

Superintendent

April 2008


2/32

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.


3/32

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.


4/32

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


5/32

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


6/32

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.


7/32

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.


8/32

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).


9/32

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.


10/32

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.


11/32

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.


12/32

Graduation Rate

100% of students

referred to Ombudsman

are at risk of dropping out

Ombudsman graduates 75% of these

students


13/32

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


14/32

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


15/32

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


16/32

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


17/32

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.


18/32

Research: Best Practices


19/32

17 Best Practices


20/32


21/32


22/32


23/32

Georgia Attendance Rates

2005-06 & 2006-07


24/32

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


25/32

The Financial Benefits

District

keeps the

difference

No additional orhidden costs

Cost is less than

average per pupil cost


26/32

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


27/32

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


28/32

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


29/32

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


30/32

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


31/32

All current Crossroads

employees will be absorbed

into other schools/programs.


32/32

Questions?

mcduffie - public presentation

Documents