Resources to help meet the educational needs of children and youth in out-of-home care.
Addressing the Unmet Educational Needs of Children and Youth in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems (PDF - 817 KB)
Leone & Weinberg (2012)
Center for Juvenile Justice Reform
Discusses barriers to providing effective education services for children and youth in care and provides legislation and evidence-based strategies intended to improve educational outcomes.
Back to School Resources
New York State Citizens' Coalition for Children (2011)
Provides helpful tips, articles, and tools to help educators create adoption- and foster-care friendly classrooms in New York communities.
Education Is the Lifeline for Youth in Foster Care (PDF - 313 KB)
National Working Group on Foster Care and Education (2011)
Shares research findings on the positive impact of education on foster youth and the negative impact of changing schools, delays in school enrollment, and inconsistent school attendance. Promising programs are highlighted throughout.
K-12 Education: Many Challenges Arise in Educating Students Who Change Schools Frequently (PDF - 1,044 KB)
United States Government Accountability Office (2010)
Addresses the number and characteristics of students who change schools often, as well as the reasons for the changes. Outcomes and challenges are also discussed.
The Proper Guardians of Foster Children's Educational Interests (PDF - 201 KB)
Park & Ryznar (2010)
Loyola University Chicago Law Journal, 42(1)
Considers the benefits and consequences of Federal and State approaches in the context of parents' rights and the educational interests of children in foster care.
Resources for School Personnel
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Addresses the effects of trauma on learning, service intervention programs, and helping schools prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises and disasters. The website includes the Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators.
Understanding Foster Youth Educational Outcomes: Comprehensive Supports Throughout Foster Youths' Lives Result in Better Outcomes (PDF - 6,100 KB)
California Child Welfare Co-Investment Partnership (2011)
Discusses the importance of tracking foster youths' educational achievements as well as providing foster youth with support at every stage in their development to promote educational performance, their ability to secure a higher education, and overall success in life.