Ombudsman: An Alternate Route

Ombudsman Educational Services Reports 85 Percent Success Rate Nationally Educating At-Risk Student Population

(East Chicago, Ind.) Sept. 6, 2007 – The School City of East Chicago has approved a contract to partner with Ombudsman Educational Services to offer a second chance for students who would benefit from an alternative learning environment, have been expelled or have serious attendance issues.

Ombudsman Educational Services partners with school districts to provide an alternative education program that offers personalized, computer-assisted learning for middle and high school students facing a variety of issues including truancy, credit or academic skill deficiencies, social and family challenges or learning/behavioral disabilities.

The Ombudsman program is expected to serve approximately 45 at-risk School City of East Chicago students in grades six through 12. The program will be located on the school’s campus and students who attend the Ombudsman program remain students of the school district.

“Parents ask us all the time about options for their children to get an education and help support the family at the same time,” said Dawn Greene, School City of East Chicago spokesperson. “Ombudsman gives them an alternative to meet all of the family’s needs and prevent them from dropping out.”

Ombudsman reports an 85 percent success rate among its national student body, meaning students graduate, earn credits or return to their school closer to or on grade level. Since 1975, Ombudsman has served more than 100,000 at-risk and special needs students. The program currently serves 6,000 students annually at 82 locations in 16 states.

The partnership with the School City of East Chicago is Ombudsman’s second in Indiana. Ombudsman operates another location in New Haven, near Fort Wayne. It is affiliated with the East Allen County School District.

Ombudsman Educational Services is operated by Educational Services of America (ESA), the nation’s leading provider of K-12 and post-secondary alternative and special education programs. ESA is based in Nashville, Tenn., and manages more than 120 schools and programs in numerous states throughout the country to serve children with emotional and developmental disabilities, including autism.

“We look forward to working with the School City of East Chicago and expanding our presence in Indiana to help all students earn a high school diploma,” Mark Claypool, president and chief executive officer of ESA, said. “We believe all students can advance given the right type of instruction, encouragement and environment, and we believe in the power of a high school diploma.”

About Ombudsman Educational Services
Ombudsman Educational Services partners with school districts to provide an off-campus, alternative education program that offers highly personalized, computer-assisted learning for middle and high school students facing a variety of issues including truancy, credit or academic skill deficiencies, social and family challenges or learning/behavioral disorders. These issues frequently prevent them from succeeding in a traditional school setting. Ombudsman Educational Services is a service division of Educational Services of America, the nation’s leading private provider of special and alternative educational programs. Ombudsman Educational Services operates 82 sites in 16 states and serves more than 6,000 students annually from more than 100 school districts each year. Ombudsman Educational Services learning centers are typically located within the school district they serve, but away from the campuses to minimize social distractions and allow students to focus on their studies. For more information, visit www.ombudsman.com or www.esa-education.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jan Morrison
Lovell Communications Inc.
(615) 297-7766
jan@lovell.com