Foster care education statistics paint a troubling picture of the educational opportunities available to children in foster care. Approximately 400,000 children are currently in foster care across the United States and only 8-13% will earn a college degree. Foster youth experience up to 75% lower high school graduation rates than their peers not in care, with an average reading level of 7th grade regardless of actual grade. 65% have experienced 5 or more school moves during their time in foster care and they are 2.5 to 3.5 times more likely to be identified with learning disabilities compared to non-foster kids. 85-90% do not receive GEDs while just 3% attend four year universities; 34%, meanwhile, changed schools five or more times before turning 18 and 40-63 % complete high school by age 18 – but this comes at great cost as 41 % attend schools that rank among the lowest 30%. 46 % have no income at all or less than $6,000 per year by age 26; they’re also twice as likely for suspension/expulsion (16%) and 9 percent take precollege tests such as SAT/ACT whereas 33 percent face three K12 changes & 31 percent require developmental education when entering postsecondary studies – yet 70 percent report wanting college enrollment despite only 39 actually doing so.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the reality of the foster care system in the United States. It highlights the need for more education and resources to support the hundreds of thousands of children in the system. It is a call to action to ensure that these children have access to the education and resources they need to thrive.
Only 8-13% of foster children earn a college degree.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities that exist for foster children. It highlights the need for increased access to resources and support for these children to ensure they have the same opportunities as their peers to pursue higher education. It is a call to action to bridge the gap between foster children and their peers in terms of educational attainment.
Foster Care Education Statistics Overview
The average reading level of youth in foster care is 7th-grade, regardless of their actual grade.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities between youth in foster care and their peers. It highlights the need for increased resources and support for these students to ensure they have the same opportunities to succeed in school as their peers.
65% of foster children experienced 5 or more school moves during their time in care.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the instability that many foster children face in their educational journey. It highlights the fact that, for many, the educational system is not providing the consistency and support needed to ensure their academic success. This statistic is a call to action for those in the foster care system to ensure that these children are given the resources and support they need to stay in one school and receive the education they deserve.
34% of foster youth changed schools five or more times before turning 18.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the instability that many foster youth face in their educational journey. It highlights the need for more stability and support for these students, as frequent school changes can lead to a disruption in their learning and social development. It also speaks to the need for more resources and support for foster youth to ensure that they have the best chance of succeeding in their educational pursuits.
40-63% of foster youth complete high school by age 18.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities faced by foster youth. It highlights the need for increased support and resources to ensure that these young people have the same opportunities to succeed as their peers. It is a call to action to ensure that foster youth are given the same access to quality education and the same chance to reach their full potential.
Foster care alumni are at a 20% higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the long-term effects of foster care on individuals. It highlights the need for more comprehensive support and resources for foster care alumni, as well as increased awareness of the potential for post-traumatic stress disorder in this population. It is a call to action for those in the foster care system to ensure that alumni are provided with the necessary resources to help them cope with the trauma they have experienced.
50% of students in foster care require special education services.
This statistic is a powerful reminder of the unique educational needs of students in foster care. It highlights the importance of providing these students with the necessary resources and support to ensure they have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers. It also serves as a call to action for educators, administrators, and policy makers to ensure that these students are receiving the specialized services they need to succeed.
Over 20% of foster youth experience homelessness after aging out of foster care.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the challenges that foster youth face when they age out of the system. It highlights the need for more resources and support to ensure that these young people have the tools they need to transition into adulthood successfully. It also underscores the importance of providing foster youth with access to educational opportunities that can help them build a better future.
41% of foster youth attend schools that rank in the lowest 30% of all schools in the United States.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities that exist for foster youth. It highlights the fact that many foster youth are not receiving the same quality of education as their peers, and that they are being denied the opportunity to reach their full potential. This statistic is a call to action to ensure that foster youth have access to the same educational resources and opportunities as other students.
Foster youth are 2 times more likely to be suspended and 3 times more likely to experience expulsion compared to their non-foster care peers.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities that exist between foster youth and their non-foster care peers. It highlights the need for increased support and resources for foster youth in order to ensure that they have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers. This statistic is a call to action for those in the foster care system to take steps to bridge the gap and ensure that foster youth have the same educational opportunities as their peers.
Only 9% of foster youth take pre-college tests such as the SAT or ACT.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities between foster youth and their peers. It highlights the fact that foster youth are not receiving the same educational opportunities as their peers, and that they are not being adequately prepared for college. This statistic is a call to action to ensure that foster youth have access to the same educational resources and support as their peers, so that they can have the same chance of success in college.
31% of foster youth who entered postsecondary education required developmental education in college compared to 17% among non-foster youth.
This statistic is a stark reminder of the educational disparities between foster youth and non-foster youth. It highlights the fact that foster youth are more likely to require developmental education in college, indicating that they are not receiving the same level of educational support as their non-foster peers. This statistic is a call to action to ensure that foster youth have access to the same educational opportunities as their non-foster peers.
Conclusion
The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the unique educational challenges faced by foster youth. Despite their desire to attend college, only 8-13% of these children earn a degree and just 3% attend four-year universities. Foster care alumni are at an increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder and homelessness after aging out of care, while they also experience up to 75% lower high school graduation rates than their peers not in care. Furthermore, 46% have no income or earn less than $6,000 per year by age 26 due to lack of access to resources such as pre-college tests like the SAT or ACT. These alarming figures highlight the need for more support systems that provide foster youth with greater opportunities for success both inside and outside of education settings.
References
0. – https://www.engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu
1. – https://www.childtrends.org
2. – https://www.ncjrs.gov
3. – https://www.nonprofitquarterly.org
4. – https://www.acf.hhs.gov
5. – https://www.childwelfare.gov
6. – https://www.childrensrights.org
7. – https://www.calstatela.edu
8. – https://www.fosterclub.com
9. – https://www.edweek.org
