WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

In the U.S. today, approximately 400,000 children and youth are in foster care at any given time and each year about 20,000 of these students emancipate (i.e., age out) of foster care. A positive PK-12 education experience has the potential to be a powerful counterweight to the abuse, neglect, separation, impermanence and other barriers these vulnerable students experience. Additionally, participation in and persistence to a postsecondary credential can enhance their well-being, help them make more successful transitions to adulthood, and increase their chances for personal fulfillment and economic self-sufficiency.

National research shows that children in foster care are at high-risk of dropping out of school and are unlikely to attend or graduate from college. A coordinated effort by education agencies and child welfare agencies is necessary to improve the educational outcomes for students in foster care. Fortunately, the last few years have seen important policy, practice, and advocacy advances that address the education barriers and supports needed for these vulnerable students. 

WHO IS AFFECTED?

DCS identified 22,895 children in the foster care system at some point during calendar year (CY) 2021. This is a 28.1% decrease in children in out-of-home care since CY 2018 (31,857). Note that 4.2% of youth in out-of-home care during CY 2021 were under the age of 1, and 32.9% were younger than 5 years of age. Out of the 22,895 Hoosier children in foster care during CY 2021, 68.3% were white, 17.9% were Black and 13.2% were two or more races.

• 54.2% of foster youth graduated from high school.

• Nearly one-third of Hispanic/Latinx students earned General diplomas, compared to 11% percent of all students. Nearly one-quarter of Black or African American foster students earned General Diplomas, compared to 12 % of all Black or African American students.

• Only 54% of Black or African American and Hispanic/Latinx students in foster care graduated in four years, compared to 78% for all Black or African American students, 85% for all Hispanic/Latinx students, and 89% for all White students.

• Fewer than half of the students in foster care and special education (49 percent) graduated in four years, compared to 71% of all students in special education.

• Half of all Hispanic/Latinx foster graduates and 46% of Black or African American students in foster care received a graduation waiver

• Only 11% of students in foster care were likely to earn an honors diploma.

Source(s): https://fostersuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-education-outcomes-report-detail.pdf  Last accessed March 2024.

https://ipbs.org/projects/assets/2021-2022%20Foster%20Care%20Educational%20Outcomes%20Report%20-%20IDOE.docx.pdf Last accessed March 2024.

The U.S. Department of Education, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as foster youth and practitioners, developed this Foster Care Transition Toolkit to inspire and support current and former foster youth pursuing college and career opportunities. The toolkit includes tips and resources intended to help foster youth access and navigate social, emotional, educational and skills barriers as they transition into adulthood.

Ensuring foster students have adequate resources, stability, and a support network can improve graduation rates. 

Sources: https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/foster-care/index.html Last accessed March 2024.

https://www.in.gov/sboe/files/SBOE-Materials-Foster-Youth-2020-education-outcomes-report.pdf  Last accessed March 2024.

• Children in foster care are far more likely to change schools during the school year, to be in special education classes, and to fail to receive passing grades than their general population counterparts.
• High school dropout rates are 3 times higher for foster youth than other low-income children
• Only about 50% graduate from high school
• Over 40% of school-aged children in foster care have educational difficulties
• Foster youth are twice as likely to need a Graduation Waiver.
• Foster youth are twice as likely to be retained when compared to their peers.
• Suspension and expulsion rates have increased.
• The Indiana SAT School Day (Grade 11) exam was administered for the first time and there were significant achievement gaps in all student groups. 

Source(s): https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/foster-care/index.html Last accessed March 2024.

https://www.in.gov/sboe/files/2021-2022-Indiana-Foster-Youth-Educational-Outcomes-Key-Findings.pdf Last accessed March 2024.

In Indiana, IDOE and DCS continue to collaborate on the 2021-2022 Foster Care Remediation Plan. This will include a plan to:

● Continue to encourage schools to incorporate and enhance their positive discipline practices.

● Continue to intensify services and supports offered to students in foster care in order to increase graduation rates.

● Create/enhance an access pipeline for foster youth to be evaluated and enrolled if needed in First Steps and/or enrolled in On My Way Pre-K.

● Create and share a variety of targeted professional development resources specific to the role of Foster Care POC clarifying the expectations and responsibilities of the POC and the specific needs of foster youth.

Source(s): https://ipbs.org/projects/assets/2021-2022%20Foster%20Care%20Educational%20Outcomes%20Report%20-%20IDOE.docx.pdf Last accessed March 2024.

https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/foster-care/index.html Last accessed March 2024.

Source: https://fostersuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-education-outcomes-report-overview.pdf Last accessed March 2024