California struggles with meeting the needs of children in foster care

When supported by strong practices and policies, positive school experiences can counteract the negative effects of abuse, neglect, separation, and lack of permanency experienced by the nearly 400,000 U.S. children and youth in foster care. Education not only supports economic success in adult life, it also provides opportunities for improved wellbeing in physical, intellectual, and social domains during critical developmental periods. A concerted effort by child welfare agencies, education agencies, and the courts could lead to significant progress in changing the consistent and disheartening picture the research portrays.