Release Highlights:

• LMISD partners with Ombudsman to offer new drop-out recovery (DOR) and disciplinary alternative education programs (DAEP) for students in grades six-12.
• An Informational open house will be held 6-7:30 p.m. at the LMISD/Ombudsman Center for Success on Monday, Sept. 27.
• The new programs are operated by Ombudsman Educational Services.

La Marque, Texas (Sept. 21, 2010) – La Marque ISD/Ombudsman Center for Success will host an open house on Monday, Sept. 27, to introduce the community to its new alternative education programs for students in grades six through 12.

All La Marque students, parents and community members are invited to tour the facility, meet staff and learn about the new programs. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the LMISD/Center for Success, which is located at 1730 Scott Street in La Marque.

The partnership between La Marque ISD and Ombudsman Educational Services offers two programs for students who are seeking an alternate route to earning their high school diploma.

The drop-out recovery program (DOR) serves 46 students. Students are referred by their schools or choose to attend if they prefer a smaller class size and personalized instruction, require a flexible schedule to meet family or work commitments or because they wish to recover credits to graduate. Students attend one of two four-hour learning sessions, Monday through Friday.

The disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) offers services to 25 students. Students are enrolled in the program for disciplinary reasons upon mandatory referral from their schools. DAEP students attend a seven-hour session, Monday through Friday.

LMISD/Ombudsman Center for Success offers students:

• Small class size and personalized attention;
• A customized academic plan created to meet each student's specific needs;
• A 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;
• Service learning an volunteer projects that will help students explore careers, develop the skills required to secure a job and give back to their community;
• Teacher-led learning activities and small group instruction to help students apply knowledge and enhance their social skills;
• Texas Assessment for Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test preparation;
• A district-provided special education teacher to work with students in both programs; and
• Greater accountability and improved academic results

Ombudsman’s rigorous academic program is aligned with Texas standards and is accredited by AdvancED, the unified organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), the organization that accredits Texas schools.

Ombudsman students make significant academic gains. Data from the 2009-2010 school year shows that Ombudsman students nationwide advanced 1.5 grade levels in math application, 1.2 grade levels in language mechanics, 1.2 grade levels in spelling, one grade level in vocabulary, one grade level in math computation and nearly one grade level in reading comprehension.

“Ombudsman partners with school districts to provide students an alternate route to a high school diploma,” Mark Claypool, Ombudsman president and CEO, said. “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, 85 percent of Ombudsman students graduate, earn credits or return to their district school closer to or at grade level. Ombudsman has served more than 132,000 students since its founding in 1975 and partners with more than 120 school districts in 17 states. For more information, visit www.ombudsman.com.

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For more information:
La Marque ISD
Denise McLean
Director of Communications
(409) 938-4251
dmclean@lmisd.net or csilva@lmisd.net

Ombudsman Educational Services
Cate Lewandowski
SVP Marketing and Public Relations
(615) 577-5681
clewandowski@esa-education.com