Foster Care Children Need Better Educational Opportunities

Children in foster care are at greater risk of
poor life outcomes than are children in the
general population. The quality of a foster
child’s primary and secondary education is a
major factor in determining whether or not
the child succeeds in life.

Compared to their peers, foster children
have lower scores on standardized tests and
higher absenteeism, tardiness, truancy, and
dropout rates. Common problems for foster
children include frequent school transfers
and instability, persistent low expectations,
and the lack of specialized instruction.

Policymakers should implement reforms to
give foster children the option of enrolling in
a public or private school of their guardian’s
choice.

School choice options could ensure that
more foster children receive a stable and
high-quality education that prepares them
for a successful transition into adulthood.