The Foster Child Scholarship Program Act

Foster children are among the most at-risk in our society. Adults formerly in foster care are more likely to be homeless, incarcerated, and dependent on state services than the general population.

Foster children face a number of unique disadvantages and require specially tailored assistance during their school years and with the difficult transition from youth to adulthood. One key factor that determines whether a foster child will achieve a successful transition is the quality of primary and secondary education he or she receives. Unfortunately, too many foster children receive a substandard education. Compared to the general population, foster children have lower scores on standardized tests and higher absenteeism, tardiness, truancy, and dropout rates.

A significant problem for children in foster care is instability. Roughly half of all foster children will spend at least one year in foster care, with 20 percent staying longer than three years. Children in longterm foster care often experience multiple home placements which can result in multiple school transfers. Practically, school transfers can impose gaps in the learning cycle, as children change from different classrooms and must adjust to new settings, teachers, students, and, in many cases, special services. School transfers also result in emotional instability and the loss of important friendships with peer groups. A synthesis of foster care research finds that fewer placements while in care have been associated with better school achievement and more years in education.

Providing foster children with a tuition scholarship could help to ensure that a child continues to attend a quality school even if he or she experiences frequent home transfers. Moreover, for others, a scholarship could provide better educational opportunities to children who must overcome many challenges to succeed in the classroom. For the many foster children who are eligible for special education services, an opportunity scholarship would help ensure that these needs are met.