California's Students in Foster Care: Challenges and Promising Practices

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Academic Achievement Gaps (Table 28)

Abstract

Students in foster care face complex challenges arising from the instability of their lives. Supporting these students involves meaningful partnerships among schools and districts, child welfare agencies, and community organizations. Recent legislative efforts address gaps in that support, but challenges remain.

This paper analyzes the opportunities and outcomes of students in foster care in California. Using administrative data, we show that youth in foster care, on average, experience a variety of negative educational outcomes from increased chronic absence, more school instability, lower levels of achievement on standardized tests, and lower college-going rates. Interview data reveal a range of challenges, including limiting data systems and insufficient transportation. Data also suggest solutions and promising practices.

Authors

• Dion Burns, Learning Policy Institute

• Daniel Espinoza, Learning Policy Institute

• Julie Adams, City of Philadelphia

• Naomi Ondrasek, California State Assembly