The Ombuds Blog: Santa Monica Schools Considering Ombuds for Special Education Disputes

May 19, 2008

Santa Monica Schools Considering Ombuds for Special Education Disputes

Beset by problems with its special education program, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School Board is considering systemic improvements to change the contentious dynamic between the district and the community. Among other things, board president Oscar de la Torre has suggested an impartial district Ombuds to mediate disputes between parents and the district. (SMMUSD Agenda; Malibu Times; Santa Monica Daily Press; The Look Out News.)

Other municipalities considering school Ombuds programs: Philadelphia; Loudon County; Little Rock; Pasadena; New Orleans; and Boulder.

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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May 19, 2008

Santa Monica Schools Considering Ombuds for Special Education Disputes

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