Alternative High School Program Expands in Georgia

• By David Nagel
• 04/21/08

A technology-assisted program for helping student attain high school diplomas is expanding in Georgia. Educational Services of America said that nine new districts are signing up for its Ombudsman Educational Services, bringing the total in Georgia to 17 districts.

ESA's Ombudsman program provides technology-assisted alternative education to middle and high school students off campus for credit recovery, remediation, and intervention for at-risk students.

"For some students, a traditional school setting is not effective," said William C. Hardin, superintendent of Georgia's Camden County Schools, in a statement released last week. "We are confident the Ombudsman program can provide those students with an alternative environment to help address learning differences and provide an opportunity for them to succeed."

Camden County is one of nine districts that will begin offering the the Ombudsman program at the start of the next school year. The other eight include Appling County Schools, Cartersville City School System, Cobb County School District, Marietta City Schools, Pierce County School District, Tattnall County Schools, Walker County Schools, and Ware County School System.

ESA said that its Ombudsman program has an 85 percent success rate among its student body, which includes students who "graduate from Ombudsman or
their home school district, improve their academic standing, or earn
necessary academic credits." ESA has partnerships with about 120 districts across the country. Further information can be found here.

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Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.

About the Author

David Nagel is editorial director, education for 1105 Media's Public Sector Media Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal. A 22-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.

He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at or follow him on Twitter at @THEJournalDave (K-12) or @CampusTechDave (higher education).