Students on the Move
As many as three out of every four youth switch schools when they first enter foster care — and roughly one out of every three 17- to 18-year olds in foster care have changed schools five or more times.
Entering the foster care system can catapult a youth’s academic career into a devastating tailspin marred by too many new-kid-in-the-classroom transitions. This report highlights the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s four-year effort to counter such educational instability. It highlights key lessons learned and leaves readers with specific recommendations and next steps for continuing Casey’s work. The goal? Give these youth the support and security that they need to succeed in school — and the world beyond.
The good news? Since 2008, we’ve made great progress in securing greater educational stability for youth in foster care. The not-so-great news? We can (and must) do more. In this report, the Annie E. Casey Foundation outlines critical next steps — everything from strengthening legislation to rethinking school suspension policies — to guide funders and agency leaders in their efforts to help these students succeed in the classroom.