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8/7/2006 5:48:00 PM
To: State Desk
Contact: Stevan Allen, 916-448-1336
PASADENA, Calif., Aug. 7 -- With California student dropout
rates at a crisis level, two of the state's most successful independent charter
school programs today announced plans to bolster their operations to continue
combating the dropout epidemic.
Through word of mouth and impressive results on state tests, the demand is
greater than ever for the Pasadena-based Options for Youth (OFY) and its sister
organization Opportunities for Learning (OFL) charter schools. To better meet
those needs, the charter schools are investing resources in new technology,
curriculum, teachers, professional development programs and capital improvements
to classrooms.
"We have thousands of predominantly minority and low-income students wanting
to get into our programs," said Dr. Thomas Goodman, Chief Education Officer for
both OFY and OFL. "Given our impressive test scores this past year, we are
looking forward to reaching even more students in the areas we serve."
OFY and OFL are accredited charter schools located throughout the Los
Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Sacramento counties. Combined, they annually
serve about 25,000 middle and high school students who belong to the most
"at-risk" groups - large numbers of socio-economically challenged, ethnic
minorities, pregnant or parenting teens, and students who are not attending
school or have dropped out.
"We provide a valuable service to the community by helping keep teenagers off
the streets and focused on graduating from high school," Goodman said.
Both schools showed significant improvements in recent state test scores with
their results either exceeding or comparing favorably to the majority of similar
schools throughout the state, according to data compiled from the California
Department of Education. The following statistics are based on the state's
official accountability measurement standards, including Academic Performance
Index (API) and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE):
-- Both schools' API scores are better than most similar schools across the
state. In the districts in which OFY operates, scores are an average of 105
points higher than comparable alternative schools; OFL's are an average of 130
points higher.
-- In comparison to peer schools, OFY CAHSEE passage rates are an average 36
percent higher in English Language Arts and 17 percent higher in Math. For OFL,
those rates are an average 10-20 percent higher in English Language Arts and
5-10 percent higher in Math.
-- In comparison to the state average, OFY Hispanic students' CAHSEE passage
rates are 16 percent higher in English Language Arts; OFL's Hispanic students'
CAHSEE passage rates are 20 percent higher.
-- OFY students who are socio-economically disadvantaged have an 18 percent
higher CAHSEE passage rate in English Language Arts than the state average of
the same subgroup; OFL's are 15 percent higher.
"These scores provide further evidence that our programs are effective in
attacking the crisis of teen dropouts, especially those who come from Hispanic
and low-income families," said Goodman. "This success is a tribute to our
teachers and the proven approaches they use with their students."
One factor contributing to the strong performance, said Goodman, is the
quality of the programs' teachers - with more than 95 percent considered "highly
qualified" as defined by the federal mandates spelled out in the "No Child Left
Behind Act."
Goodman also gave credit to other benefits of the independent study model,
including the flexible operational structure, high level of one-on-one attention
from teachers, availability of year-round classes, focus on single subject
immersion, expectation of high standards, and rigorous attendance and
accountability requirements.
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About Options For Youth & Opportunities for Learning
Options for Youth (OFY) is the operating name of five independent charter
schools with about 25 learning centers located throughout California.
Opportunities for Learning Charter Schools (OFL) is the operating name of three
independent charter schools with 22 learning centers. All the schools are WASC
accredited and operate primarily in Southern California. Established by lifelong
teachers and educators, John and Joan Hall in 1987, OFY began serving at-risk
students who dropped out or were at risk of dropping out of school. OFL was
established in 1998 as a new management and operational model designed to also
meet the rapidly growing needs of at-risk youth. OFL and OFY are innovators in
the development of educational options, curriculum, programs and administrative
services tailored to the needs of independent study and designed to expand
opportunities for at- risk students. For more information: http://www.ofy.org
and http://www.emsofl.com
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2006 EMS, Inc