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Foster Education Research Paper

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Outcomes of Fostering Our Youth’s Education
Literature Review
Overall, existing literature on higher education outcomes for foster youth is limited. The shocking fact that only 10% of foster youth graduate college is sparking conversation about the outcomes for the small percentage of foster youth who engage in higher education. When addressing outcomes of foster youth currently engaging in higher education, it is important to understand the issues during the primary and secondary education which determine education aspiration, attainment, and long-term outcomes which ultimately persist and have negatively impacts foster youth throughout their education experience. In-depth explorations of factors that affect foster youth’s higher education …show more content…

conduct a qualitative exploratory study comprising of focus groups with key participants who shape the lives of foster youth (the child welfare agency, schools, and caregivers in the home) to discuss and explore higher education attainment of students in foster care. Furthermore, the research of Shea et al adds to the discussion of trauma created by navigating the foster care system and the other influencing systems, and the lack of collaboration between these systems. This research reveals issues faced by these external factors which ultimately negatively affect foster youth’s preparedness for higher education. These issues include systemic issues amongst the child welfare agency in which liaisons identify the agency’s lack of commitment to addressing educational issues, professional staff in education institutions not accurately identifying youths academic and emotional problems or even devoted to advocating for youth, and caregivers not actively pursuing support and services for youth (Shea et al. 2010). The researchers found a consensus between the studied groups which stress “…lack of collaboration and coordination among the home, the school, and the CW agency and the existing deficiencies and obstacles that hinder more positive education outcomes for foster children and youths” (Shea et al., 253). Whereas Colvin et al. in 2010 simply identifies the suggestion that internal and external factors …show more content…

2011. "Foster Care and College." Youth & Society 45(3): 307-23.
Dworsky, Amy and Pérez, Alfred. 2010. "Helping Former Foster Youth Graduate from College through Campus Support Programs." Children and Youth Services Review 32(2): 255-63.
Font, Sarah A., Rawls, Glinda., and Unrau, Yvonne A. 2012. "Readiness for College Engagement among Students Who Have Aged out of Foster Care." Children and Youth Services Review 34(1): 76-83.
Fullerton, Ann., Geenen, Sarah., Powers, Laurie., and Quest, A. Del. 2012. "Voices of Youth in Foster Care and Special Education regarding Their Educational Experiences and Transition to Adulthood." Children and Youth Services Review 34(9):1604-615.
Phillips, Lee Ann, et al. 2015. "Better Futures: A Validated Model for Increasing Postsecondary Preparation and Participation of Youth in Foster Care with Mental Health Challenges." Children and Youth Services Review 57:50-59.
Shea, Nancy M., Weinberg, Lois., and Zetlin, Andrea. 2010. "Caregivers, School Liaisons, and Agency Advocates Speak Out about the Educational Needs of Children and Youths in Foster Care." Social Work 55(3):

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