Fostering Education Stability for Students in Foster Care by Maria Guzman https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt Maria Guzman-Pina en-us 2019-09-30 17:55:28 UTC 2026-02-21 13:27:59 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide #1 My Professional Perspective mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/391608045 My professional perspective is working as a high school counselor.  Before becoming a teacher I worked for the Department of Family and Protective Services as the  Independent Living Coordinator for Region 9 and then as the Transition Center Director for Concho Valley Home for Girls.  I had the pleasure of working with foster youth for ten years and witnessed first-hand the struggles they encountered in education.  Life for children in foster care is filled with instability and chaos, schools have the potential to be a steady force for good while promoting stability that encourages learning.  I chose this topic because in my own experience and in speaking with teachers, former foster youth and school counselors promoting school stability is one of the most crucial issues facing foster youth. This Legal Guide Padlet serves as a resource guide for public school counselors and educators to help them understand the laws and requirements of schools in order to promote stability for their foster youth populations.]]> 2019-09-30 22:09:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/391608045 Slide #2 Interview mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/391628797 The person I interviewed for this assignment is Mrs. Lana Gill.  Mrs. Gill is the At-Risk Coordinator at Central High School in San Angelo TX.  She works with the foster youth in San Angelo who attend Central Campus.

Why is it important that school districts to provide educational stability for kids in foster care?

Mrs. Gill noted that students in foster care experience instability in their personal lives daily, due to constant mobility from placement to placement.  She stated that its important that schools provide stability for youth so that they experience less disruption, are able to maintain their support system, and are given the opportunity to succeed.

Best Practices:

Mrs. Gill discussed what she considers the best practices when providing educational stability to youth in foster care:
1.) Ensure that your school district has policies and procedures in place when a new foster youth enrolls in the district.  How is the Counselor informed of the youth and by whom?  How do you set up a meeting?
2.) Be consistent.  Demonstrate to foster students that you are their advocate, build a trustworthy relationship.
3.)  Educate yourself and the staff in your district.  Know the laws and what is expected, provide training to staff on how to best serve foster youth.

Emerging Issues:
Mrs. Gill stated that one emerging issue regarding educational stability is the cost of transportation when students are allowed to stay in their schools of origin.  School districts struggle to determine who is responsible for covering the cost, schools or welfare agencies?  It continues to be a issue especially for schools, guidance regarding transportation is hoped for.

( L. Gill, personal communication, September 25, 2019) ]]> 2019-10-01 00:04:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/391628797 Slide #3 American School Counselor Association Position Statement: Supporting Students in Foster Care mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/391653660 The American School Counselor Association provides a position statement regarding the counselor and supporting students in foster care. The position statement recognizes that foster youth are an underserved and overlooked student population.  They experience higher levels of residential and school instability than their peers.  The position statement provides guidance as to the role of the counselor in improving educational stability for foster youth. The list includes that the counselor assist in creating a stable school environment, serve as the liaison between welfare agencies and the school, and become aware of the challenges that students in foster care face.

American School Counselor Association (ASCA), (2018). ASCA Position Statements. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/PositionStatements/PositionStatements.pdf]]> 2019-10-01 02:00:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/391653660 Slide #4 mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393318113 The article discusses how the Every Student Succeeds Act provides change for the foster youth population.  The law calls for every state to provide student outcome data like graduation rate and test scores for foster youth.  The law also seeks to keep foster youth in their "schools of origin" if the welfare agency thinks it will benefit the foster student. Rationale for the law is that foster youth cope with a lot of turmoil and significant change in their daily lives. They could greatly benefit from academically, economically and socially with some stability in school.  The article brings up two good points:
  • What does "school of origin" mean? The law does not define it. Is it up to the districts and states to determine? 
  • Second, the law is not clear about who will pay for additional transportation cost.  Will district cover the cost, or will the welfare agencies?
The article continues by addressing that the law is not clear on how districts should approach such issues. The article also states that it is unlikely that the Department of Education will clarify the issues with regulation, it could however clear it up with guidance.

Klein, A. (2016, May 10). How Does the Every Student Succeeds Act Handle Foster Care? Education Week. Retrieved from https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/05/essa_policy_foster_children.html
]]> 2019-10-03 22:37:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393318113 Slide #5 mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393851440 This article focuses on the challenges that many states often face in order to provide school stability for youth in foster care, specifically California.  The article states that even though landmark federal and state policies aim to address school stability, foster youth are still being shuffled from school to school, mainly due to lack of communication between schools and welfare agencies. The article further discusses the steps that states can take to encourage academic achievement and policy reform.
  • States should take a stronger role in ensuring that school districts and welfare agencies are communicating effectively.
  • States should ensure that school districts have a foster youth liaison in place who support the educational needs of students in the district and who can notify schools when proposed placement changes may lead to students being removed from their school of origin.
  • Finally, states should ensure a complete overhaul of training for school districts regarding students' rights in education.
It concludes with stating that even though much stride in policy has occurred to change school stability for foster youth, the outcomes have not changed.  Foster youth deserve better.

Olmos, M., Maxwell, J., & Hernandez, V., (2019, August 9). State must provide school stability for foster youth. EdSource. Retrieved from https://edsource.org/2019/state-must-provide-school-stability-for-foster-youth/616029
]]> 2019-10-05 04:04:35 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393851440 Slide #6 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-351. - Statutory Law mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393851815
  • This law came into place in October 2008.  It highlights the responsibility between the schools to collaborate with child welfare agencies to provide stability in education for foster youth.  Child welfare agencies must provide “a plan for ensuring the educational stability of the child while in foster care” as part of the youth’s care plan.  The welfare agency assures that the foster youth’s placement takes into consideration appropriateness of current educational setting and the proximity to the school in which the youth is currently enrolled.  If remaining in the school currently enrolled is not in the best interest of the foster youth, the case plan must provide immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school and provide all educational records to the school within ten days.
    • https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/6893 
    ]]>     2019-10-05 04:09:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393851815     Slide #7 Uninterrupted Scholars Act of 2013, Pub. L. No. 112-278. - Statutory Law mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393990664
  • The Uninterrupted Scholars Act of 2013 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 14, 2013. 
  • The law amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act to allow educational agencies and institutions the right to disclose the educational records of foster youth to their caseworkers, or a representative of a welfare agency.  
  • The law encourages schools, caseworkers and welfare agencies to collaborate and address the educational needs of the foster youth.
    • https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/s3472/text 
    ]]>     2019-10-05 19:49:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393990664     Slide #8 American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. - Administrative Law mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393991915
  • The ASCA Ethical Standards for school counselors’ states that the counselor, when working with underserved and at-risk populations must advocate for their right to a free and appropriate public education.  
  • The counselor must advocate for the equal rights of all students, where students are not isolated or stigmatized on their disability, housing status, foster care, special education status, mental health or other exceptional or special need.  
  • The counselor also provides services, guides and assists youth who have experienced abuse and neglect.
    • https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf
    ]]>     2019-10-05 19:57:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393991915     Slide #9 Successful School Transitions, 11 Tex. Educ. Code § 25.007. - Statutory Law mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393994458
  • This statute promotes successful school transitions for youth in foster care.  
  • School districts and caseworkers collaborate to provide records within ten days of enrollment.  
  • Law states that school districts are responsible for developing practices that ease school transition for youth.  
  • They must also provide procedure to lessen the negative impact of moving to a new school.  
  • Districts must also award credit, including partial credit, for course work.  This includes electives, completed while enrolled at another school.
    • https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm#25.007
    ]]>     2019-10-05 20:12:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/393994458     Slide #10 Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule: mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/394035545 The San Angelo Independent School District Student Handbook, (2019-2020) discusses the policies and procedures the school district has in place to address educational stability to foster students. The district allows students to remain in the school of origin, or the school they attended prior to placement until they reach the highest grade. The district will also allow foster students who enroll in school after the first day opportunities for credit by examination. Such policies help to create education stability for students.

    San Angelo Independent School District Student. (2019-2020). Student Handbook, A Student in the Conservatorship of the State (Foster Care). Retrieved from 
    https://www.saisd.org/docs/student_services/Student%20Handbook%202019-2020.pdf]]>     2019-10-06 02:29:06 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/394035545     Slide #11 Ethical Principle: mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/394041042 The ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors (ASCA, 2016, sec A.1.a) states that school counselors "Have a primary obligation to the students, who are to be treated with dignity and respect as unique individuals" (p.1). This ethical principle connects to education stability in that in order for school counselors to provide a stable environment for students in foster care they must first acknowledge and understand their unique struggles.  The counselor must serve as an advocate in the school district to encourage change. They must be knowledgeable of policies and procedures that the districts have in place for foster students.

    ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. (2016). Retrieved from
    https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf]]>     2019-10-06 03:31:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/394041042     Slide #12 Non-Law Source: mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/394045455 The Foster Care and Student Success resource guide was created by Texas Education Agency, Department of Family and Protective Services and the Children's Commission.  The purpose of the guide is to:
    • Provide educators with relevant information that will assist them in creating a positive and stable educational environment for youth in foster care.
    • To inform educators about the complexity of the foster care system and the laws and policies that influence the educational experience for youth in foster care.
    •  To increase awareness and promote practices and partnerships that benefit the foster youth in Texas.
    • To bring foster care and education to the forefront.
    The guide provides tips on practices as well as the laws that influence education for foster youth.  It also provides links to resources and guidance on how to promote educational success for foster students.

    Texas Education Agency, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, & Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (Children’s Commission). (2013). Foster care and student success: Texas systems working together to transform education outcomes of students in foster care. Austin, TX: Author. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/fcss_resource_guide-digital.pdf
    ]]>     2019-10-06 04:16:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/394045455     Slide #13 Best Practices mguzman34 https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/394091605 School Counselors are in the unique position to create change in schools, especially for the under-served and often overlooked student populations such as foster students.  Research highlights the connection between school stability and increase graduation rates. The research conducted for this assignment and my own personal experience with foster youth have allowed me to create a list of best practices when working towards creating a stable school environment.  As counselors we must:
    • Educate ourselves and understand the laws that protect and affect youth in foster care.  Once becoming familiar with these laws you have the power to educate and inform other educators and administrators in your district.  
    • Ensure that school districts have policies and procedures in place for working with foster youth.  This may include procedures on how to establish an initial meeting with the student or what supports are in place to ensure educational success.
    • Provide training for teachers, administrators and stakeholders on how to best support diverse groups such as foster students. It is our job as counselors to research and disseminate information to educators in our district to ensure the success of foster students.
    • Communicate with foster parents, group homes, caseworkers and welfare agencies on a regular basis.  Make sure foster parents and social workers are included in meetings and that concerns regarding students are addressed immediately.
    • Be consistent when working with foster youth and show them that you care.  Foster youth often have a difficult time forming caring relationships with the adults in their lives due to past experience, prove to them that you are their advocate!
    • Most importantly encourage youth to have their own voice.  Foster youth rarely have a say in any decision that occurs in their life, most are made by judges, social workers and foster parents.  Allow the school to be a place where foster youth speak up and advocate for themselves.
    ]]>     2019-10-06 11:48:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mguzman34/pd91nrobgvyt/wish/394091605