Statistics:  Foster youth are % more likely to fail a grade  Approximately 50% of youth in foster care are enrolled in special education programs  60% of youth in foster care do not graduate from high school  25% of youth in foster care are homeless in the months after leaving FC at the age of 18: 34% end up on welfare 25% of males are imprisoned 20% of females give birth

Education Goals Goal 1: Youth are entitled to remain in their same school when feasible Goal 2: Youth are guaranteed seamless transitions between schools and school districts when school moves occur Goal 3: Young Children Enter School Ready to Learn Goal 4: Youth have the opportunity and support to fully participate in all aspects of the school Experience Goal 5: Youth have supports to prevent school dropout, truancy and disciplinary actions Goal 6: Youth are involved and engaged in all aspects of their education and educational planning and are empowered to be advocates for their education needs and pursuits Goal 7: Youth have an adult who is invested in his/her education during and after his/her time in Foster Care Goal 8: Youth have supports to enter into, and complete, postsecondary education

Education Law  Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act  Americans with Disabilities Act 1990  No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), Public Law  McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act

DVD: Endless Dreams

Types of Assistance Available from the School System

WB2: Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs Rated as a strength if there is evidence the state has:  Assessed child’s educational needs  Provided services to meet needs  Included school records in the case file  In FC provided school information to foster parents at time of placement CFSR

Issues to Address to Improve Performance on WB2 Outcome

Activity What Can I Do?

Documentation