The Impact of Education in Foster Care and Adoption

Education and the Child Welfare System: Learning Makes Positive Change

The COVID-19 pandemic set off a ripple effect of declining academic performance for U.S. kids. Almost half of students, 49%, in the academic year starting 2022, had at least one subject where they were still behind grade level.

Children in the United States foster care system often struggle with academic setbacks. Moving to a new foster home and school can negatively impact learning by disturbing their routine and environment.

Public school is of critical importance to the well-being of foster children and families. If you're a foster or adoptive parent, your support of education for your child will make a lasting long-term impact. This is particularly true for high school students who soon age out of the system.

This is what you should understand about the role of education and why it's so important for foster kids.

Education and the Future Success of Foster and Adopted Children

Many foster kids move homes and school districts, which can disrupt their learning and ability to keep up with schoolwork. Foster youth's ability to get a good education and earn a high school diploma or GED is critical. As they transition into adulthood, young people must be able to find a job and support themselves.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report states that there is a link between education and income. People 25 years and older without a high school diploma have the highest unemployment rate at 8.3%. They also have the lowest earnings, with a weekly median of $626. By contrast, people with advanced degrees earn the most money and have the lowest unemployment rates.

While a college degree isn't necessary for all professions, every job requires people to learn new skills. Foster kids who learn the importance of education are more likely to understand its role in their future stability.

Often, children in the foster care system find it more challenging to keep up with their studies and maintain friendships. An estimated 65% of foster kids change school seven or more times (K-12). Plus, mental health stressors, including anxiety, depression, and loneliness, impact foster kids' ability to focus on school and learning.

Despite the odds for kids who enter foster care with the trauma of abuse and neglect, there is hope. Education and nurturing guidance from foster or adoptive parents are the keys.

Academic Success for Foster Children

Educational organizations must facilitate or promote collaboration between teachers, school administrators, and social workers. In an ideal situation, teachers would get trauma-informed care training to help foster children succeed in their classes. Adopted and foster care children face challenges in school and life because each one has experienced trauma, loss, and grief.

Many schools are ill-equipped for the special needs of foster children and may place them in special education classes. Some kids benefit, but each foster care student must have their own assessment based on their unique needs and abilities.

From a social community point of view, teachers must set a tone and prepare the class to welcome foster kids. As with foster parents, teachers and educators must have patience. Foster and adopted kids are every bit as bright as their peers. However, it may take time for them to feel comfortable and catch up.

Foster parents and teachers are partners in their child's success. Foster and adoptive parents can be proactive in getting to know teachers as they nurture their child's education journey. Take an interest and stay on top of your child's support needs by reviewing grades and assignments. You can check in about their overall well-being by asking about your child's behavior and participation at school.

Many foster children maintain relationships with their birth parents and families. Foster parents can co-parent with the birth parents to help their foster child adjust to their new home and school. Birth parents or caregivers can often suggest ways to motivate or help their children with studying.

Educational Challenges for Children in Foster Care

Out-of-home placements cause foster kids to miss more days of school and adjust to a new school. This can make it hard to blend in with the community of kids who started the school year forming connections together. Foster and adoptive children have to work to catch up on everything, from finding their way around school to catching up with course materials.

It's always hard to be 'the new kid' at school. Foster kids are often struggling with separation from their home, family, and friends. The added stress they feel in a new school environment can take a toll.

Foster children often have difficulty getting help with schoolwork or social problems. They may end up feeling frustrated or left out but not know how to change their situation. Problems compound when kids reach high school and fall behind. Teachers expect teenagers to function with autonomy as their workload increases.

National research shows that kids in the foster system drop out of high school at a much higher rate than their non-foster peers. Only 73% of foster teens graduate with a high school diploma, compared to 90% of other teens. Only 3% of those who graduate continue their education and earn a college degree.

Many foster teens who don't earn a high school diploma or GED will find it hard to earn a living. A large percentage of teenagers who age out of foster care become homeless, pregnant, or have substance abuse problems.

Tips for Foster and Adoptive Parents to Advocate for Education Needs

Help your foster or adopted children succeed by advocating for their educational rights and learning plans. Like the old saying, 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease,' stay in close touch with teachers and educators. The more your child's teacher understands their needs, the better they'll be able to partner with you and your foster child.

How your child behaves in class is another indicator of their well-being at school. Work with school administrators or teachers to help your child succeed. Teachers may suggest home study plans or assign extra credit to aid learning and success in class.

If your child's school doesn't have mandatory parent-teacher conferences, you can request them. Ask what learning resources are available to foster kids and parents. You may be able to tap a tutoring service or find a study buddy for help with specific class subjects.

Changing schools and starting new is hard for foster children. Some foster children struggle to fit in and form close friendships. Counseling or therapy can help them with social strategies and self-confidence.

Learn how to advocate for educational rights in foster care and adoption and guide your child to speak up for themselves. You may find other adoptive or foster parents who can give advice and support, including how to promote changes in your child's school system.

Advocating for your child is the first and easiest place to start. Talk to them to understand how they're feeling and what they may be struggling to overcome. Then, reach out to those who can help you to help your foster child. Many good teachers are willing to go the extra mile to help their students learn and be successful.

Parent FAQS: A Guide to Building Positive Relationships With Schools and Educators

You may find building a good relationship with your child's school easier than fighting for their educational rights. However you frame it, you must support your foster child's learning and development. This critical part of your job as foster parents will impact your child's current and future well-being.

Use these frequently asked questions (FAQs) as a guide:

Do Foster and Adopted Children Have Educational Rights?

Yes. The U.S. Department of Education has guidelines and toolkits to protect the rights of foster children to an education. In addition, states have charters and laws that protect the rights of foster children to an education. You can learn more about foster care in your state.

How Can I Support My Foster Child's Learning and Academic Success?

Adoptive and foster parents have a major impact on their child's academic achievements. You can advocate for your child, discuss their needs and opportunities with teachers and administrators, and identify learning resources. You can also give your kids guidance and teaching support at home.

In addition to school studies, as a foster or adoptive parent, you can teach your kids essential life skills. Learning about financial literacy is one example of knowledge that every young adult must have to succeed.

What Common Educational Challenges Do Foster Children Face?

The U.S. education system has pros and cons. All children must go to school and have the right to learn, but not all schools understand their different learning needs. Foster and adopted kids may need more help and support resources than their school provides.

Teachers do not always have the training or experience to understand the unique needs of a foster child. They may not be familiar with trauma-informed approaches to learning. Foster kids may feel isolated, left out, or simply left behind.

How Can I Advocate for My Foster Child's Learning and Education Needs?

Supporting your foster child's academic and learning needs requires focusing on a few key places. First, get contact information for each of your child's teachers. Reach out to them and introduce yourself as a foster parent. Set up the best way to meet and review your foster child's needs and how you and your school can partner to support them.

Ask what you can do to support your child's learning at home and reinforce behavior needs at school. Teachers may be able to give extra credit or other homework to help students catch up with their peers.

Many teachers and administrators may not have experience with foster and adopted children. The education you can give them about the challenges faced by students in foster care may go a long way to helping your child.

Students learn more when they find learning to be fun. Try to find educational games, videos, and other learning resources that your child looks forward to doing. YouTube has a wealth of educational and learning videos that are entertaining and may lead to other similar resources.

Research home school applications to learning in real life and reinforcing classroom subjects. Historical sites, national parks, museums, and nature make learning fun.

Where Can I Find Educational Resources and Support for Foster and Adoptive Parents?

The foster parent training you complete will cover tips and resources for supporting your child's education. Books and blogs, like those on FosterUSKids, cover a range of topics, from cultural competence to foster care challenges.

Keep in touch with your child's teachers about your student's needs and progress. Look for local foster parent support groups to join. Other foster parents can provide a wealth of information and support when you need answers or advice.

Improve Access to Educational Resources in Foster Care and Adoption

As a foster parent or adoptive parent, you can advocate to improve access to educational resources in foster care. The first and best step to take is to reach out to your child's teachers and school administrators. Work with them to learn about opportunities and resources to support your child together. Your time, care, and energy will ensure your child's success and a lifetime of joy in learning.

Do you want to learn more about how you can help foster children? Learn how you can become a foster or adoptive parent in your state by talking to a child-placing agency near you.