Foster Youth Within Lake Elsinore Unified School District Presented by: Steve Behar, Director of Student Services

Important Statistics 30% of foster youth perform below grade level. 50% of foster youth are held back in school. Of all foster youth who exit care prior to high school graduation, only 54% go on to receive a high school diploma. In California, less than 3% of foster youth go on to four-year colleges. Despite these low outcomes, the aspirations of foster youth are very high. 70% plan to attend college, and 19% plan to continue their education past college graduation.

Foster Children in Our District 116 children in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District during the 2008/09 school year were in out of home care K - 5th grade (5-10yrs) = th grade (11-13yrs)= 27 9th - 12th grade (14yrs and over)= 43

AB 490 “Everyone shares the duty to promote the educational progress of children in out-of-home placements.” Placing agencies, the courts and the school districts all have a role to play in providing school stability for these students. Placement agencies have more accountability to consider the educational needs of the child being placed, and notify all parties involved when a change of placement is proposed. The courts are required to discuss any proposed school change with the child and the child’s education rights-holder, and may request a hearing within 2 days of receiving notice.

AB 490 Requires School Districts to: IMMEDIATELY ENROLL foster youth (even without uniforms, health/education records) TRANSFER RECORDS to a child’s new school within 2 business days ALLOW county placing agencies and probation officers to access student records DESIGNATE an AB 490 educational liaison for to help foster youth directly.

AB 490 Gives Foster Youth the Right to: SCHOOL STABILITY: remain in their original school when they enter foster care or move (if in their best interests) IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT: be immediately enrolled in a new school (even without health/ education records) PARTIAL CREDIT: receive partial or full credit for work completed at other schools (all students have this right) FAIRNESS: not be punished for court-related absences.

Riverside County Foster Youth Student Information System Benefits of this program will include: Improved communications Increased productivity Faster and better decision making Compliance with legal mandates Unlimited expansion opportunities Safer, more productive life for youth