Crisp County School System is partnering with Ombudsman Educational Services to open the Ombudsman Cordele Learning Center, which will offer a highly personalized, technology-rich blended learning program for 75 middle and high school students who have not been successful in traditional school programs, who are at risk of dropping out, have been expelled or who have dropped out and wish to return to earn their diploma.
Release Highlights:
- Crisp County School System is partnering with Ombudsman Educational Services to open the Ombudsman Cordele Learning Center in August.
- The new alternative learning center will offer a highly personalized, technology-rich blended learning program for 75 at-risk middle and high school students to help them stay on the path to graduation.
- Families who would like more information about the new program can contact Gail K. Nesbitt at (229) 276-3400 or e-mail at gnesbitt@crispschools.org.
For Immediate Release
Cordele, Ga. (July 10, 2012) – Crisp County School System is partnering with Ombudsman Educational Services to open the Ombudsman Cordele Learning Center, which will offer a highly personalized, technology-rich blended learning program for 75 middle and high school students who have not been successful in traditional school programs, who are at risk of dropping out, have been expelled or who have dropped out and wish to return to earn their diploma.
High school students will attend one of two, three-hour sessions and middle school students will attend a four-hour session Monday through Friday. Morning, midday and late afternoon sessions provide a flexible schedule that allows students to meet family or work commitments.
All students will benefit from:
- small class size and personalized attention from caring, highly qualified teachers who are passionate about working with at-risk students;
- differentiated instruction, which blends teacher-led instruction, independent practice, collaboration in small groups and enrichment activities to help students apply knowledge and enhance their social skills;
- personalized academic plans and goals created specifically to meet individual students’ needs;
- a rigorous and engaging technology-rich environment that allows students to receive immediate feedback and become familiar with tools they will use in college, trade or vocational school or the workplace;
- focused, dedicated preparation for Georgia’s Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) and End of Course Tests (EOCT);
- post-secondary preparation, including service learning and volunteer projects that help students explore careers, develop the skills required to secure a job and give back to their community;
- greater accountability and improved academic results.
Mr. Brinson, superintendent, says that he is excited about middle school and high school students having additional opportunities that will help them graduate from high school.
Students will be referred to the Ombudsman Cordele Learning Center by the district, and families who would like more information about the new program can contact Gail K. Nesbitt at (229) 276-3400 or gnesbitt@crispschools.org. Classes will begin Aug. 7.
Ombudsman’s rigorous academic program is aligned to the Common Core and Georgia Performance Standards. Ombudsman is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), the organization that accredits Georgia schools, and is the first organization of its kind to receive system accreditation from AdvancED, the world’s largest independent accreditation commission for primary and secondary education organizations.
Ombudsman students make significant academic gains. During an average enrollment period of about 90 days during school year 2010-11, Ombudsman students nationwide gained two grade levels in math application and more than one grade level in math computation, vocabulary, spelling, language mechanics and reading comprehension.
“Ombudsman partners with school districts to provide students with an alternate route to a high school diploma using our blended learning model, which is grounded in educational psychology and research-based best practices,” said Mark Claypool, Ombudsman president and CEO. “Students receive one-on-one instruction from caring teachers who guide and encourage them to make positive choices about their education. Ombudsman helps students recognize their ability to learn and celebrate their successes so they can achieve their academic and career goals.”
Nationally, more than 80 percent of Ombudsman students graduate, earn credits or return to their district school closer to or at grade level. Ombudsman has educated more than 140,000 students since its founding in 1975 and partners with more than 130 school districts in 20 states to operate more than 140 programs. For more information, visit www.ombudsman.com.
Resource Links:
Crisp County School System
Website: crispschools.org
Ombudsman Educational Services
Website: Ombudsman.com
Blog: DestinationDiploma.net
Twitter: @OmbudsmanEd
Facebook: facebook.com/OmbudsmanEducation
YouTube: youtube.com/OmbudsmanEducation
For more information:
Crisp County School System
Gail K. Nesbitt, Assistant Superintendent
(229) 276-3400
gnesbitt@crispschools.org
Ombudsman Educational Services
Robin Embry
Lovell Communications, Inc.
(615) 297-7766
robin@lovell.com
