Understanding the plight of foster youth and improving their educational opportunities

Obstacles that prevent some children in foster care families from realizing educational achievement are examined; in addition, recommendations for intervening in the lives of foster children to enhance their educational experiences are offered. After noting the disproportionately high number of African American & Latino American children in the US foster care system, previous literature that has demonstrated the harmful effects of abuse & neglect upon children's educational attainment is reviewed. Additional research that has shown how placement within foster homes affects children's drop out rates, how frequent relocation influences foster children's school performance, & how foster children with special educational needs are commonly neglected is covered. Four strategies for ensuring foster children's access to quality elementary & secondary education are devised, eg, schools are encouraged to adopt policies that will protect the educational interests of foster children. In addition, four programs that have been established in California, Ohio, & Washington to promote foster children's educational achievement are briefly discussed. 25 References. J. W. Parker