Education Fact Sheet

For the over 800,000 children and youth served in foster care each year in the United States, educational success is a potential positive counterweight to abuse, neglect, separation, and impermanence. Unfortunately, the educational outcomes for children and youth in foster care are dismal. 

The National Working Group on Foster Care and Education has created the Educational Outcomes for Children and Youth in Foster and Out of Home Care Fact Sheet.  Though  data are limited, particularly national data, research makes it clear that serious issues must be addressed to ensure the educational success of children and youth in foster care.

To view the Education Fact Sheet, please use the download button below.

The National Working Group on Foster Care and Education

The mission of the National Working Group on Foster Care and Education is to promote successful educational outcomes for children and youth in foster care across the country. The Working Group, which is comprised of many organizations along with the NCJFCJ, is committed to heightening awareness of the educational needs of children and youth in care and to promote best and promising practices and reforms in education, child welfare, and the court systems.

For more information about the Working Group and participating organizations please download the Foster Care and Education: Tools and Resources for Improving the Education Success of Children and Youth in Foster Care brochure.

Court-based Education Efforts for Children in Foster Care: The Experience of the Pima County Juvenile Court (Arizona)

Provides an easy to read summary of the lessons learned from implementing reform efforts aimed at improving educational outcomes for children in care in the Pima County (Tucson, Arizona) dependency court system.  The document highlights the collaborative process, programs and policies implemented, obstacles faced and strategies used.  (June 2007)  CAN-56 

For a copy of this publication, please contact the Training and Technical Assistance Division at caninfo@ncjfcj.org.

Education Efforts for Children in Foster Care: The Pima County, Arizona Experience

Provides detailed information regarding the various components of the educational reform efforts implemented by the Pima County Juvenile Court (Tucson, Arizona) and offers recommendations to other jurisdictions who want to address the educational issues faced by children in foster care. Comprehensive findings from a preliminary review of Juvenile Court records are provided, with a focus on how educational issues are addressed as part of routine court practice.  (June 2007)  CAN-57  Available by Download Only