A. Education Data

National studies show that youth in foster care have poor educational outcomes when compared to their peers in the general population. Youth in foster care are more likely to be suspended or expelled, score lower on statewide standardized tests, repeat a grade, drop out of school, and are less likely to graduate. For more information on these studies, see Legal Center for Foster Care & Education, Foster Care & Education Data At A Glance.^[174]

According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) 2021-2022 Federal Report Card for Texas Public Schools, students in foster care had a graduation rate of 61.3%, compared to 92.0% of all students in Texas and performed at lower levels on statewide assessments.^[175]

Although many children experience educational challenges, students in foster care face additional hurdles, including multiple residential and school changes, missed school days for visits with parents and siblings, court appearances, or therapeutic or other case-related appointments that are only available during school hours, as well as an often chaotic educational, social, emotional, and family history prior to entering foster care.

Children and youth who are of school-age and in foster care may also find themselves lost between child welfare and education – two systems with overlap, but often inadequate ongoing and effective communication. If Texas judicial, child welfare, and education stakeholders coordinate efforts, especially during school transitions, students in foster care are less likely to experience a damaging loss of records, credits, services, and support systems, each of which can hinder academic success.