Ombudsman: An Alternate Route

Ombudsman Educational Services Reports 85 Percent National Success RateEducating At-Risk Students

PHOENIX (November 8, 2007) – Ombudsman Arizona Charter Schools announced today that all six sites of its program for middle and high school students who would benefit from an alternative learning environment, have attendance issues, or have dropped out were granted the designation “Performing” by the ARIZONA LEARNS system of school accountability.

The ARIZONA LEARNS bill, passed in 2002 by the state legislature, created a system to evaluate school performance based on student testing, graduation rates and other indicators of success. To achieve a “Performing” designation from the state, students of a school must demonstrate proficiency in meeting certain performance goals.

Ombudsman Educational Services operates the Ombudsman Arizona Charter Schools to provide an alternative, nurturing setting 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.

“We are proud to be part of Arizona’s efforts to improve education for our children,” charter schools director Binky Michele Jones said. “The Ombudsman program has had the opportunity to help so many students who may not have otherwise graduated, thanks to the state’s support of charter schools and its dedication to help students graduate from high school.”

After 11 years in the area, Ombudsman Arizona Charter Schools expanded its program this summer to accommodate 100 additional students. The program expects to have 600 or more students this year.

Ombudsman Educational Services is a division of Educational Services of America (ESA), the nation’s leading private provider of special and alternative education programs.

“We steadfastly believe all students can succeed given the right type of instruction, encouragement and environment,” Mark Claypool, president and chief executive officer of ESA, said. “It’s exciting to be a part of the state’s focus on its youth and students.”

About Ombudsman Educational Services
Ombudsman Educational Services provides an 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. Ombudsman Educational Services learning centers are typically located in business or commercial settings creating a small, productive learning environment to minimize social distractions and allow students to focus on their studies. For more information, visit www.ombudsman.com or www.esa-education.com.