Attendance issues are among the reasons many middle and high school students are at risk of dropping out. Some students miss too much school and fall too far behind to catch up academically, so they just give up. After a certain number of absences, a student may be referred to a truancy officer and face long-term suspension or expulsion from the school district. Ombudsman offers a non-traditional, flexible schedule that makes earning a high school diploma possible for truant students.
Reasons for Truancy
Not every educational institution is designed to meet the needs of all of its students. Some students have health issues that are a challenge or personal responsibilities that traditional schools cannot accommodate. Issues such as these frequently prevent students from succeeding in a traditional school setting:
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Work Responsibilities
Many students want or need to work full- or part-time jobs to help support their family’s financial obligations. Ombudsman’s flexible schedule accommodates students’ family and work responsibilities.
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Medical Conditions
Students who have medical problems that need regular attention may find it difficult to attend a full day, every day in a traditional school setting. At Ombudsman, the student is only in school for a portion of the day, at a time that is most convenient for him or her. Students are able to work at their own pace to progress to the next level.
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Parental Responsibilities
Becoming a parent is one of the leading reasons students drop out of school. Ombudsman’s alternative program for pregnant teens gives young parents a chance to finish school and graduate while taking care of their family.
How We Can Help
Ombudsman is dedicated to educating at-risk students and improving graduation rates. Our truancy program gives students who miss too many classes at traditional schools an alternate route to recovering credits and receiving a high school diploma. On average, Ombudsman student attendance is 86 percent.
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