Foster Care & Education Judicial Checklist

School Readiness

⧠ Children ages 0-3 assessed for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services.

⧠ Children ages 0-5 enrolled in Early Head Start, Head Start, or Pre-Kindergarten.

School Stability

⧠ Child remains enrolled in and has transportation to the school the child attended prior to removal.

⧠ Child remains in the school where the child is currently enrolled unless it is not in their best interest, regardless of additional placement changes.

⧠ School changes occur at the end of grading periods.

⧠ School changes do not conflict with standardized testing or final exams.

Education Decision-Making

⧠ DFPS has conservatorship and designated an Education Decision-Maker (EDM).

⧠ Parent retains or other person given specific education-related rights as appropriate.

⧠ DFPS provided EDM Form 2085-E to child's school and information regarding the EDM filed with court.

⧠ Surrogate parent appointed to make decisions regarding special education if a foster parent is unwilling or unable to fulfill that role.

School Enrollment

⧠ Child attends their current school or is enrolled in a new school within three school days.

⧠ Education record or credit transfer issues addressed by court as necessary.

School Placement and School Success

⧠ What does the child say about school and where wants to attend?

⧠ Child in an appropriate school.

⧠ Child progressing academically and on grade level.

⧠ Additional school supports addressed as needed.

⧠ Child involved in extracurricular activities.

⧠ Discipline issues addressed (truancy, suspension, expulsion, restraints).

⧠ Caregiver signed annual form to prohibit corporal punishment at school.

Post-Secondary Education

⧠ If the youth is at least grade 9, personal graduation plan created and graduation endorsement chosen (this is in addition to the Foundation High School Program in STEM, Business & Industry, Public Services, Arts & Humanities, or Multi-Disciplinary Studies).

⧠ Child has a college or career plan.

⧠ Child and his caregivers know about high school graduation requirements and how to prepare and apply for post-secondary education.

Special Education

⧠ If needed, child evaluated for special education services.

⧠ If eligible:

• Date of child's last Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting.

• Child has Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is current, appropriate, and in place.

• ARD committee meets at least one time annually.

• If child transfers schools, previous IEP implemented or a new IEP is developed and approved by ARD committee.

• Transition planning coordinated, beginning no later than age 14.