Foster Youth Graduation Requirements- Plan F

Who are foster youth? Foster youth are children who are removed from the care of their parents primarily because of abuse and neglect that resulted from complex family, social and environmental conditions. Foster youth are overseen by county Child Welfare Services or the Juvenile Probation Department.

Where do foster youth live? Kinship Care/Relative Placement Foster Family Homes (county appointed) Foster Family Agency Homes Group Homes Residential Treatment Facilities

Foster Care Education Facts National Statistics 35% of foster youth have experienced 4 or more school changes 75% perform below grade level 46% do not complete high school Only 4% percent of former foster youth obtain any type of degree or certificate, and only about 2% earn a bachelor’s degree or higher 80% of foster youths did not earn enough to be fully self-supporting four years after leaving care

Foster Care Education Facts Local Statistics SFUSD foster youth scoring proficient and above on CA Standardized Tests ELA #=170 Math # = 158

Foster Youth High School Graduation Requirements AB 167 Foster Youth High School Graduation Requirements

Assembly Bill 167 Exempts foster youth who transfer schools or school districts in eleventh or twelfth grade from local graduation requirements if they would not be able to reasonably meet these additional local requirements. Requires school districts and schools to provide notice to foster youth being exempted from additional local requirements if failure to satisfy such local requirements will affect the pupil’s ability to gain admission to a postsecondary educational institution. EC 51225.3 (c) 7

What problem does AB 167 seek to address? Addresses challenges of educational instability of foster youth who transfer in the middle of their high school career. Ensures that foster youth receive their high school diploma, if they are forced relocate to another school that may have increased graduation requirements compared to their former school

California Minimum High School Graduation Requirements A pupil shall complete all of the following while in grades nine to twelve, inclusive, in order to receive a diploma of graduation from high school― at a minimum, the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified: Three courses in English Two courses in mathematics Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences EC 51225.3 (a)

California Minimum High School Graduation Requirements (continued) Three courses in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics. One course in visual or performing arts or foreign language. For the purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in foreign language. Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted. EC 51225.3(a)

California Minimum High School Graduation Requirements (continued) One course of the math requirements needs to be Algebra 1 EC 51224.5 http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/hsgrmin.asp Passage of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) EC 60851(a) http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/

How do you determine whether or not a student transfers in the 11th or 12th grade? For the purposes of AB167 (only), SFUSD grade level will be determined as follows: Students fourteen (14) through sixteen (16) years old, grade level is determined by credits. Students seventeen (17 through twenty-one (21), grade level is grade 12.

Does AB 167 apply to foster youth who transferred prior to the passage of AB 167? Legislative language makes clear that AB 167 applies to all currently enrolled foster youth who transferred in the 11th or 12th grade, regardless of when the transfer occurred.

Determining Reasonableness Review academic records and ensure all prior high school credits are included in transcript Complete a transcript analysis to determine courses and credits needed to meet SFUSD graduation requirements (Available Tool: AB 167 Reasonableness Worksheet) Consult with county social worker to specify how long the student is expected to remain in foster care. Consult with student and educational rights holder (if applicable) to review the student’s school performance history and if the student wants a waiver. Consulting the child’s social worker, attorney, caregiver, or anyone else familiar with the student’s educational history is encourage

May a school district reconsider its “reasonableness” finding? Given a district’s limited familiarity with a recent transferee, it is best practice to reevaluate their reasonableness finding in light of the student’s performance post-transfer. While a district might have initially thought it reasonable for the youth to complete their additional requirements, post-transfer evidence might suggest otherwise.

What must a school do if it determines that a pupil in foster care will be exempt from its additional requirements? Notification to student and the education rights holder of any ineligibility for admission into post-secondary education institution Provide CA Community College transfer information to the student and education rights holder Refer to the SFUSD AB167 Graduation Requirement Waiver Protocol and AB167 Notification Letter

Does a diploma awarded under AB 167 weigh the same as all other diplomas? Yes. AB 167 recognizes that some foster youth transferring in the 11th or 12th grade, through no fault of their own, are not able to complete the additional requirements of their new school district. AB 167 provides an exemption for these students, allowing those who cannot reasonably fulfill the district’s additional requirements to obtain a diploma of graduation. While AB 167 says nothing about a district’s ability to award special certificates to students who fulfill additional requirements, foster youth falling under AB 167’s exemption must receive the same diploma of graduation as all other students in that district.

How does this impact a child who has an IEP? IDEA requires an transition plan for all students receiving special education services Thus, whenever a student is receiving special education services the applicability of AB 167 should be addressed in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting.  CAHSEE exemptions for students with disabilities may be granted.

Maya Webb, Ext. 3310, webbm1@sfusd.edu AB 167 Resources San Francisco Unified School District Board Policy (P6105.2) SFUSD Administrative Regulation AB167 Graduation Requirement Waiver Protocol AB167 Notification Letter AB167 Reasonableness Worksheet AB167 Frequently Asked Questions For more information or assistance, contact the Foster Youth Services Program at 242-2615, Maya Webb, Ext. 3310, webbm1@sfusd.edu Shira Andron, Ext. 3055, androns@sfusd.edu 19 19

Check out our FYS website www.healthiersf.org/fys

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