AGENDA ITEM: Transfer Application – Ombudsman Educational Services, a subsidiary of
Educational Services of America (ESA)
2009-2010 Transfer Application Summary Report
Ombudsman Educational Services currently operates eight (8) sites in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. The
organization filed a transfer application with the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools to transfer four (4)
current sites, Charter East, Charter East II, Charter Central and Charter Valencia, to a separate charter contract.
Ombudsman Educational Services is an Arizona for-profit corporation organized on 7/13/88 and was originally
chartered with the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools on 11/12/96.
The following table is a summary of the Ombudsman Educational Services’ ADM (from ADE’s ADMS 45-1
Report).
School Year Charter Sites Operating Reported ADM
Charter East
90.42
Charter West
99.11
Charter Metro
87.99
Charter Northeast
96.69
Charter Central
22.04
Charter Northwest
93.45
Charter Valencia
80.86
Charter East II
87.36
2009
(8 Sites)
TOTAL
657.92
2008
(6 Sites)
Charter East, Charter West, Charter Metro, Charter Northeast,
Charter Northwest, Charter East II
543.14
2007
(5 Sites)
Charter East, Charter West, Charter Metro, Charter Northeast,
Charter Northwest
474.84
The following tables outline the academic successes for the schools that would transfer. Charter Central and
Charter Valencia opened on 8/25/08 and are too new for profiles
Charter East
School Year AZ LEARNS Annual Yearly Progress
2007-2008 Performing Plus Not Met*
2006-2007 Performing Not Met**
2005-2006 Performing Met
* The school did not meet their graduation rate or their percent tested.
** The school did not meet their percent tested.
Charter East II (opened 7/1/07)
School Year AZ LEARNS Annual Yearly Progress
2007-2008 Performing Met
Curricular Emphasis:
The program that is used in Ombudsman Schools is based on psychiatrist William Glasser’s Choice Theory which
focuses on helping the student identify and accept responsibility for their actions and decisions as they are
internally and not externally motivated. This approach to instruction is beneficial for at-risk students who have
not previously been successful with more traditional methods of instruction. By utilizing computer-assisted
instruction, students who work at their own skill levels avoid embarrassment if skill levels are below grade level.
Students receive immediate feedback on responses eliminating delays in reinforcing concepts learned or in need
of further review. Evaluations are used to determine completion of academic goals, accurate credit
recommendation, adjustment of individual student programs, or a recommendation of graduation.
Governance Structure:
Ombudsman Educational Services (OES) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Educational Services of America
(ESA). The Ombudsman Charter School operates as a division of OES. The ultimate authority rests with the
Board of Directors of ESA. The Board of ESA empowers its officers to conduct the business of the company in
such matters as employment and dismissal of personnel, signing of leases, management of fiscal resources,
interacting with government agencies, and other such matters that are necessary to operate the business. The
Governing Board of the Charter Schools is empowered to oversee the operations of the Charter School. The
Charter Schools are managed on a day-to-day basis by the State Charter School Director and the Operations
Manager.
The mission of the transfer charter is as follows:
The Mission of OES is to serve students who are “at-risk” in typical 6-12 school population.
Ombudsman Educational Services, a subsidiary of Educational Services of America (ESA)
Grade Levels 6-12
Special Emphasis
William Glasser’s Choice Theory, Spiral Curriculum, Personalized Education,
Computer-based Instruction, Seat Time vs. Time on Task
Methodology
Ombudsman utilizes a number of computer-assisted curriculum platforms
including PLATO, NovaNET, Reading Plus, Unitedstreaming, Edge Library
Location
Ombudsman Charter East: 3943 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018
Ombudsman Charter East II: 4041 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018
Ombudsman Charter Central: 1525 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ 85705
Ombudsman Charter Valencia: 1686 W. Valencia Rd. Tucson AZ 85746
Market Analysis-Student
Population
“at-risk” students in a typical 6-12 school populations
Corporate Principals Mark Claypool, Donald Whitfield, Bryan Skelton
Governing Body Same as Corporate Board
Board Options
1. The Board may grant the Transfer Application for Ombudsman Educational Services.
2. The Board may deny the Transfer Application for Ombudsman Educational Services.
Staff Recommendation
Staff’s recommendation is option 1 above.
