Joy Surratt Baskin, Director, TASB Legal Services Education Unplugged Education of Foster Youth Summit February 19, 2013

New Home = New School In 5 years –between 7 th and 12 th grade:

Fostering Connections Act of 2008Fostering Connections Act of 2008 –Child welfare agencies must coordinate with LEAs to support stability School Stability p. 2

Homeless Status In a shelter or other temporary setting Awaiting placement in a foster home p. 3

Same district, different campusSame district, different campus –Grades 9-12, right to remain at same campus –Grades 8 and lower, considered an intradistrict transfer by local policy Attendance Zones pp. 3-4

New districtNew district –Grades 9-12, right to remain at same campus –Grades 8 and lower, double check that child is not still eligible to attend previous district –If not, consider an interdistrict transfer Attendance Zones pp. 3-4

Essential for learningEssential for learning Compulsory attendance – risk of truancy prosecutionCompulsory attendance – risk of truancy prosecution 90% attendance rule – risk of loss of credit90% attendance rule – risk of loss of credit Attendance is Essential p. 24

Funded under two systems:Funded under two systems: –Formula funding –Target revenue Both rely on attendance (WADA) for calculations of state aidBoth rely on attendance (WADA) for calculations of state aid Attendance is reported through PEIMS based on TEA’s attendance accounting rulesAttendance is reported through PEIMS based on TEA’s attendance accounting rules How Schools are Funded

New proposed rating system would measure:New proposed rating system would measure: –STAAR test scores, looking at: Achievement, Progress, Closing Gaps, and Post- Secondary Readiness –Graduation rates –Type of graduation plan How Schools are Graded Accountability System Student Achievement Index I Student Progress Index 2 Closing Performance Gaps Index 3 Postsecondary Readiness Index 4

Mid-Year Moves Withdrawal Testing calendar Course credit Graduation requirements School activities pp

Who are the adults involved with youth when they are in care? CPS caseworkerCPS caseworker Foster parent or relative caretakerFoster parent or relative caretaker Attorney ad litemAttorney ad litem Guardian ad litem or CASAGuardian ad litem or CASA Biological parentBiological parent Parent’s attorneyParent’s attorney Prosecutor who is legally representing CPSProsecutor who is legally representing CPS Student Family Foster Parent DFPS Doctor Therapist Social Worker GAL Lawyer Court pp

Who speaks for the child?Who speaks for the child? Visitor policiesVisitor policies Privacy concernsPrivacy concerns Access during the school day pp

Just one of the kids