Agenda Item
a. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between ChanceLight, through the Ombudsman Educational Services Division, and the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) (Not to exceed $622,530) ~ Updated 7.2.2024
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Curriculum and Instruction
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between ChanceLight, through the Ombudsman Educational Services Division, and the DeKalb County School District to serve 45 students in an amount not to exceed $622,530.
Why: Ombudsman operates more than 100 locations with close to 200 district partnerships nationwide. It includes several in the State of Georgia through partnerships with Appling County School District, Camden County Schools, Cartersville City School District, Muscogee County School District, and Walker County Public Schools. Through innovative programs, they partner with school districts nationally to provide special education; emotional, behavioral, and mental health support services; virtual education services; alternative education and dropout prevention, and recovery to students in grades Pre-K through 12. Ombudsman programs have accreditation through Cognia.
Ombudsman’s mission is to provide personalized, evidence-based, and data driven instruction and services for non-traditional learners in close partnerships with families, schools, and districts. This program reaches out to teach, inspire, and prepare students to reach their full potential in a positive, reinforcing environment. In this model, staff understand that all learners can succeed and progress if their educational, behavioral, social, and emotional needs are in an appropriate and supportive environment.
Details: Under this Agreement, DCSD will provide classroom space, student technology, furniture, food, custodial/maintenance services, and transportation. Services such as school psychology, physical/occupational therapy, and nursing will be provided by DCSD. Ombudsman will provide technology for staff. The program will be located at a DCSD facility that will be mutually agreed upon. Ombudsman will recruit, hire, and train a Program Director, Behavior Specialists, Special Education Teacher, General Education Teachers, and Counselor in which DCSD can be part of the process.
Chancelight, through the Ombudsman Educational Services Division, will support forty-five (45) students in grades six through eight. Students will attend full day sessions where both DCSD and ChanceLight determine the start and end times. All students will receive in-person academic instruction aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence and additional services include social emotional learning curriculum and pro social skills curriculum. ChanceLight will work closely with the school district’s Individualized Education Program team to support students who require special education supports. DCSD will be responsible for providing all special education services for students with IEPs, transportation, and if necessary, food services.
The District's eligible students will be cross-enrolled to ChanceLight, an alternative educational program. “Eligible Students” include current and former District students who meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. Are not currently enrolled in one of the District's high schools;
2. Are under-credited, over-aged 5th - 8th graders;
3. Are at-risk for being withdrawn from the District due to truancy or chronic absenteeism;
4. Qualify under State law for public education services from the District;
5. Are previously homeschooled (or non-accredited institution);
6. Are impacted by the Juvenile Justice System;
7. Are recommended for behavioral/discipline programming;
8. Are referred to the ChanceLight Program by the District or their elementary or middle school; and
9. Are residents of DeKalb County.
Financial impact: The method of compensation in this MOA will be payments in an amount not to exceed $622,530 to be paid to ChanceLight, through the Ombudsman Educational Services Division, in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement.
Last year, the DeKalb County School District spent $13,834.00 per student. The 2023-2024 base rate was used to calculate the amount of the agreement.
Cost Code: 100.2210.530000.00011.7210.9990.8010.035.0000
Contact: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum and Instruction, 678.676.0731
Dr. Sean R. Tartt, Deputy Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum and Instruction, 678.676.0731
Effective: July 9, 2024 - June 30, 2025
Status: Reviewed and Approved by General Counsel
Georgia Alternative Education
By the Numbers
Total students educated Total graduates and 8th
since 2017--2018 grade promotions since 2017-
2018
8,218 17,926 2,035
Credits Earned throughout
seven years of operation
93% 49%
90%
High School Graduation/ 45% Success Rate
Reading Math
8th Grade Promotion Rate
Student Growth Percentile Percentage of students have
The growth percentile means the student successfully completed the
grew the same or more than that percent of school year or transitioned.
their academic peers.
Results achieved after 73 days of enrollment, on
average.
7th
5%
12th 8th Student Choice
25% 13%
Programs & Features 4%
Academics
Accelerated Learning 30%
Course Repair/Recovery
Milestone Preparation
9th
24% Behavior Services
11th
16% Attendance
Social Emotional Learning 3%
Behavior
10th Re-integration into district 63%
17%
% Enrollment by Grade Level Post-Secondary Planning Referral Reason
5201 Virginia Way, Suite 100
Brentwood , TN 37027