Provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), State education agencies must coordinate with the State or Tribal child welfare agency to ensure local education agencies implement the educational stability requirements for children in foster care resulting in minimal interruptions to a child’s learning. If otherwise determined to be in the best interest of a child, children and youth entering foster care who remain in the same school achieve better educational outcomes. Find resources about specific provisions in ESSA and general resources to support educational stability for children and youth in foster care.

The resource Ensuring Educational Stability and Success for Students in Foster Care: Non‑Regulatory Guidance is now available and provides updated direction to help agencies implement ESSA’s educational stability provisions for children and youth in foster care.