Educational Stability of Children in Foster Care

Recognizing the unique needs of children in foster care, the Federal government and New York State have launched efforts in recent years to increase the educational stability of these children and youths with an aim on improving educational outcomes. New requirements under Title I of the ESEA, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), promote educational stability for children in foster care, with particular emphasis on collaboration between school districts and child welfare agencies, to ensure that students in foster care have the opportunity to achieve at the same levels as their peers. The focus is to limit educational disruption by keeping children who move into foster care or who are subject to a change in their foster care placements thereafter, by allowing them to stay in their schools of origin, unless it is determined to be in their best interest to change schools. Our attorneys provide our clients with guidance to help your District comply with these new requirements.