1. 1 Ready to Succeed An exploration of secondary and post-secondary educational outcomes for foster children in California K. Frerer & L. Sosenko June 10, 2009 The Ready to Succeed Project is supported by the Stuart Foundation

2. 2 Ready to Succeed: Overview of Presentation Noted secondary and post-secondary outcomes Major gaps in knowledge Current project –First year objectives –Data match and exchange –Key variables –Counties: Fresno, Sacramento, San Diego –Educational institution update –Analysis suggestions & questions –Next steps for year two

3. 3 Ready to Succeed: Noted secondary/post-secondary outcomes Complete high school Be enrolled in college preparatory classes Attend college Graduate from college Compared to the general student population, foster children are less likely to:

4. 4 Ready to Succeed: Noted secondary/post-secondary outcomes ● High school completion for foster children range from 34-74% (compared to 86-90% for the general population). (1) ● Older foster youth are less likely to complete high school on time (59% vs. 86% non-foster) and are over 50% more likely to drop out between the 11th and 12th grades. (2) ● Foster children are less likely to be enrolled in college preparatory classes (3) and even with similar test scores and grades, only 15% of foster youth (compared to 32% of their peers) were enrolled in college preparatory classes. (4) ● It is estimated that between 7-28% of foster youth in the United States attend college. (5) ● Of the youth who attend, approximately 1-9% obtains a degree compared to 28% of the general population. (6)

5. 5 Ready to Succeed: Major gaps in knowledge Secondary and post-secondary outcomes for California foster children Outcomes for youth who exit outside of emancipation (i.e. reunification, guardianship)

6. 6 Ready to Succeed: Major gaps in knowledge 1. Secondary and post-secondary outcomes for California foster children Only 1 known study which investigated post-secondary outcomes for emancipated foster youth in California (8). CWS/CMS administrative data (1992 to 1997) linked to Community College data. Results: ● 55% (n=5,577) attended a community college ● 2% obtained a degree and 1% earned a certificate ● Less than 2% transferred to a 4-year college The child welfare population in California is the largest in the nation. As of January 1, 2009 there were 64,838 children in care with more than 45% residing in foster care for two years or more. (7) 2. Outcomes for youth who exit outside of emancipation (i.e. reunification, guardianship) In California, for the over 40,000 children who exit every year: (7) 58% are reunified 16% are adopted 8% reside with legal guardians 10% emancipate or age out

7. 7 Question 2: What factors facilitate or impede successful completion of secondary and post-secondary education and/or training for foster youth? Ready to Succeed: Current Project Research Questions: Question 1: What are the secondary and post-secondary education and/or training outcomes for foster youth in California?

8. 8 Ready to Succeed: Current Project Collaborative Partners: Data systems to link: ● Child Welfare Services Case Management System (CWS/CMS) ● Cal-PASS ● California Department of Social Services (CDSS) ● U.C. Berkeley, Performance Indicators Project ● California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (Cal-PASS) ● Stuart Foundation

9. 9 Ready to Succeed: Year One Project Objectives  Present the plan to key oversight bodies and agencies for buy-in and complete necessary institutional review board (IRB) approval processes.  Identify legislative mandates or waivers required to proceed with a pilot test of the linked databases.  Identify a pilot group and obtain necessary Cal-PASS agreements.  Identify and resolve data access and reporting issues.

10. 10 Ready to Succeed: Current Project Challenges/Solutions 1.External legislative and legal constraints regarding data sharing ● FERPA 2. Oversight agencies and committees ● State IRB ● CDSS 3. Educational data ● Educational institution support

11. 11 Ready to Succeed: Data Match & Exchange UCB CWS/CMS Q2_2009 extract Primary file: Child welfare variables Unique project ID Secondary file: Unique project ID Encrypted identifier Link/Return with: educational variables unique project ID Cal-PASS: CDSS To match: a derived encrypted key identifier will be created based on the social security number (if available) or a combination of variables which include first and last name, date of birth, and gender MATCH: Unique foster children between 1998 and 2008

12. 12 Ready to Succeed: Key Variables CWS/CMSCal-PASSCDE ● Exit type: Family reunification Legal guardianship Adoption Emancipation Other ● Maltreatment Type: (hierarchy based on most severe) General neglect Physical abuse Sexual abuse Other ● Primary placement type: Kin Foster home Group home ● Age at entrance/exit ● Length of stay (months) ● Placement changes: number ● Transitional housing: yes/no ● Re-entry: yes/no ● Re-referral: yes/no ● # siblings ● Gender ● Ethnicity ● Age (Date of Birth) ● Language K-12 ● School ● Grade level ● Course Title ● AG Status of course (high school only) ● Grade ● Credit Earned ● Credit attempted ● Course Level/type ● Award Type (Certificate or diploma received) ● Degree attained? ● Yes/no Community College ● Units attempted/earned ● Grade ● Basic skills status ● Program type ● Award Type University ● Major ● Units earned ● GPA ● Course grade ● Degree type STAR ● CAT-6 test score: ● Reading Scaled Score ● Language Scaled Score ● Spelling Scaled Score ● Math Scaled Score ● Science Scaled Score ● Reading NCE ● Spelling NCE ● Math NCE ● Science NCE ● CST: ● Academic Year ● Math Subject ● Science Subject ● English Scaled Score ● Math Scaled Score ● Science Scaled Score ● History Scaled Score ● CAHSEE test scores: ● Math – Passed/Not Passed Indicator ● Math Scale Score ● ELA – Passed/Not Passed Indicator ● ELA Scale Score ● English Proficiency ● Primary disability ● Special education status: yes/no ● NSLP (National School Lunch Program) School/District ● Average API test score ● % children receive free lunch ● % parents without high school degree ● % teachers with full credentials ● % children English Learners ● % drop out ● Average CAHSEE score

13. 13 Estimated unique foster children: 12,502¹ ¹Q4_2008 CWS/CMS extract, 1998 to 2008

14. 14 Estimated unique foster children: 22,766¹ ¹Q4_2008 CWS/CMS extract, 1998 to 2008

15. 15 Estimated unique foster children: 27,557¹ ¹Q4_2008 CWS/CMS extract, 1998 to 2008

16. 16 Ready to Succeed: Educational Institution Update

17. 17 Ready to Succeed: Educational Segment Update CountyK-12 Community College University Fresno Sacramento San Diego

18. 18 Ready to Succeed: Analysis Suggestions & Questions By linking the datasets, do we have sufficient information to answer our research questions? Foundational Question: Analysis suggestions Questions?

19. 19 Ready to Succeed: Analysis Suggestions & Questions Question 2a: What factors facilitate or impede successful completion of secondary education for foster youth? Age at entry? Placement moves? Placement type? Length of stay in foster care? Special education status? Age at exit? Type of exit? Etc. By linking the datasets, do we have sufficient information to answer our research questions? Looking at the key variable sheet, what would you like to see investigated? Research Questions: Question 1a: What are the secondary education outcomes for foster youth in California? Question 1b: What are the post-secondary education and/or training outcomes for foster youth in California? Question 2b: What factors facilitate or impede successful completion of post-secondary education and/or training for foster youth? AP/college prep courses? GED vs. high school diploma? Etc. Ex: In comparison to the general student population, how do foster children score on academic achievement tests? (CAT-6, CST, CAHSEE)

20. 20 Ready to Succeed: Year Two Next Steps:  Review year one progress.  Finalize pilot locales and agreements to participate from local educational agencies.  Complete programming required to link the Cal-PASS and CWS/CMS databases.  Transfer data.  Finalize analysis plan and report formats.  Run pilot test of linked database.  Identify and resolve issues.

21. 21 References 2.Blome, W. (1997). What happens to foster kids: Educational experiences of a random sample of foster care youth and a matched group of non-foster care youth. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 14(1), 41-54. Burley, M., & Halpern, M. (2001). Educational attainment of foster youth: Achievement and graduation outcomes for children in state care. Olympia, WA: Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Courtney, M., Terao, S., & Bost, N. (2004). Midwest evaluation of the adult functioning of former foster youth: Conditions of youth preparing to leave state care. Chicago: Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago Dumaret, A., Coppel-Batsch, M., & Couraud, S. (1997). Adult outcome of children reared for long-term periods in foster families. Child Abuse and Neglect, 21(10), 911-927. Pecora, P., Williams, J., Kessler, R., Hiripi, E., O'Brien, K., Emerson, J., Herrick, M., & Torres, D. (2006). Assessing the educational achievements of adults who were formerly placed in family foster care. Child and Family Social Work, 11, 220-231. 1.Blome, W. (1997). What happens to foster kids: Educational experiences of a random sample of foster care youth and a matched group of non-foster care youth. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 14(1), 41-54. Burley, M., & Halpern, M. (2001). Educational attainment of foster youth: Achievement and graduation outcomes for children in state care. Olympia, WA: Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Courtney, M., & Dworsky, A. (2006). Early outcomes for young adults transitioning from out-of-home care in the USA. Child and Family Social Work, 11, 209-219. 3. Blome, W. (1997). What happens to foster kids: Educational experiences of a random sample of foster care youth and a matched group of non-foster care youth. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 14(1), 41-54. Burley, M., & Halpern, M. (2001). Educational attainment of foster youth: Achievement and graduation outcomes for children in state care. Olympia, WA: Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Conger, D., & Rebeck, A. (2001). How children's foster care experiences affect their education: Vera Institute of Justice: New York Administration for Children's Services Farruggia, S., Greenberger, E., Chen, C., & Heckhausen, J. (2006). Perceived social environment and adolescents' well-being and adjustment: Comparing a foster care sample with a matched sample. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(3), 349-358. Landsford, J., Dodge, K., Pettit, G., Bates, J., Crozier, J., & Kaplow, J. (2002). A 12- year prospective study of the long-term effects of early child physical maltreatment on psychological, behavioral, and academic problems in adolescence. Archive Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, 156, 824-831. Sheehy, A., Oldham, E., Zanghi, M., Ansell, D., Correia, P. & Copeland, R. (2001) Promising Practices: Supporting Transition of Youth Served by the Foster Care System. Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service, Portland, ME; National Resource Center for Youth Services, Tulsa, OK. 4. Sheehy, A., Oldham, E., Zanghi, M., Ansell, D., Correia, P. & Copeland, R. (2001) Promising Practices: Supporting Transition of Youth Served by the Foster Care System. Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service, Portland, ME; National Resource Center for Youth Services, Tulsa, OK.Sheehy et al. (2001) 5. Courtney, M., Terao, S., & Bost, N. (2004). Midwest evaluation of the adult functioning of former foster youth: Conditions of youth preparing to leave state care. Chicago: Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago Pecora, P., Williams, J., Kessler, R., Hiripi, E., O'Brien, K., Emerson, J., Herrick, M., & Torres, D. (2006). Assessing the educational achievements of adults who were formerly placed in family foster care Child and Family Social Work, 11, 220-231. 6. 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Assessing the educational achievements of adults who were formerly placed in family foster care Child and Family Social Work, 11, 220-231. 7. Needell, B., Webster, D., Armijo, M., Lee, S., Dawson, W., Magruder, J., Exel, M., Glasser, T., Williams, D., Zimmerman, K., Simon, V., Putnam-Hornstein, E., Frerer, K., Ataie, Y., Atkinson, L., Blumberg, R., & Cuccaro-Alamin, S. (2009). Child Welfare Services Reports for California. Retrieved [May 25, 2009], from University of California at Berkeley Center for Social Services Research website. URL: http://cssr.berkeley.edu/ucb_childwelfare> 8. Needell, B, Cuccaro-Alamin, S., Brookhart, A., Jackman, W., & Shlonsky, A. (2002). Youth emancipating from foster care in California: Findings using linked administrative data Berkeley: Center for Social Services Research.