Students in foster care bring talent, grit, and potential to the classroom. They also face barriers most classmates never see: sudden school changes, gaps in records, untreated trauma, and missed credits that slow or derail graduation. Nationwide, only about half of the youth who spend time in foster care finish high school, and less than 5% complete a four‑year college degree. These numbers send a signal that schools, agencies, and communities need to work together differently to support educational stability. With informed, coordinated efforts, we can relieve many school challenges for children in foster care.
Unique School Challenges Facing Students in Foster Care
Students in foster care carry unique burdens into the classroom.
- Frequent school changes: Placement shifts often mean new schools, schedules, teachers, and peers, which disrupt learning and routines.
- Trauma and stress: Exposure to abuse, neglect, or violence is widespread in foster care. The resulting trauma and stress affect attention, memory, and emotional regulation.
- Attendance hurdles: Court dates, family visits, health appointments, and transportation gaps result in frequent absences or tardiness.
- Discipline disparities: Foster youth experience suspension at far higher rates than their peers. For example, in California, the suspension rate sits at 15%, over four times that of other students. Exclusionary discipline undermines learning.
- Missing records and credits: Delays in transferring transcripts, IEPs, or health records stall services. Without partial credit protections, curriculum progress may not follow a student if they switch schools.
- Lack of access: Activity fees, device or internet gaps, and limited tutoring or extracurricular access reduce engagement and belonging—key drivers of attendance and persistence.
- Consent barriers: Uncertainty about who can sign permission slips, release records, or approve services can prevent students from participating in field trips, athletics, and counseling.
- College and career navigation gaps: Without steady guidance, tasks to prepare for higher education or the workforce fall to the student alone. This includes scheduling entrance exams, applying for fee waivers, completing financial aid forms, or securing housing over school break.
Higher educational attainment frequently leads to lower unemployment and higher earnings. Education is also associated with better health and longer life. Most importantly, fewer school interruptions help children in foster care maintain important relationships. Life is much easier to navigate with friends and familiar teachers. For the 343,000 children in foster care, closing school gaps strengthens economic stability, well‑being, and community resilience—key steps in addressing the broader child welfare crisis.
How Schools, Foster Parents, and Communities Can Help
Everyone in a child’s circle can lower barriers and build stability. Together, we promote educational stability and help students in foster care overcome school challenges.
Schools
- Designate a Foster Care Point of Contact, and use a Best Interest Determination process to keep students in their school of origin when appropriate.
- Enroll immediately after any move, transfer records fast, and codify transportation procedures with the child welfare agency.
- Protect curriculum progress with partial credit policies, and track grades, attendance, and discipline in real time to trigger support.
- Build a trauma‑informed support system, pair tutoring with school‑based mental health resources, and reduce exclusionary discipline through restorative, relationship‑centered responses.
Foster Parents and Caregivers
- Create predictable routines for sleep, meals, and homework. Keep a simple binder or shared folder with schedules, contacts, and records.
- Introduce yourself early to teachers, counselors, coaches, and the district point of contact; advocate for evaluations, services, and partial credits when needed.
- Rehearse transitions by visiting campus, mapping classes, and practicing the commute. Celebrate children’s strengths and prioritize activities that build identity and belonging.
Community, Churches, and Volunteers
- Mentor and tutor weekly; consistent relationships boost confidence and attendance.
- Cover gaps by sponsoring activity fees, glasses, devices, or home internet, and offer transportation to keep students connected to their school of origin and after‑school programs.
- Host calm study spaces with wi‑fi, snacks, and test prep, and train volunteers in trauma‑informed basics and confidentiality.
Boost Student Success With For Others
There’s a child welfare crisis in America, but the good news is that we can solve it. For Others partners with states, churches, nonprofits, and community leaders to surround children and families with practical support. By working together in a Well-Being Support Ecosystem(TM), we cover all gaps in care with local support. This includes solving school challenges for children in foster care so they thrive as adults and break generational cycles. Together, we can make school a stable, encouraging place where every student in foster care can learn and grow.
Your support helps us and our network of partners move the needle in child welfare. We invite you to join our mission today.
