In the 2021–2022 school year, 93% of foster children with IEPs were enrolled in school. Yet 30% experienced a school transfer that same year, and 28% had repeated a grade.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2021–2022 school year, 83% of children in foster care ages 3–21 were enrolled in school (no IEP), per Casey Family Programs’ Foster Care Education data analysis (as reported in “Education” dashboard).
- In the 2021–2022 school year, 93% of children in foster care ages 3–21 were enrolled in school (IEP), per Casey Family Programs’ Foster Care Education data analysis (as reported in “Education” dashboard).
- The average number of days that foster children ages 5–18 spend in foster care per school year is 365 (full-year exposure), per Casey Family Programs’ Foster Care Education data analysis (as reported in “Education” dashboard).
- According to NCES, 28% of foster youth had repeated a grade at some point, per “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
- According to NCES, 72% of foster youth had not repeated a grade at some point, per “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
- NCES reports that 30% of children in foster care had a learning disability (or similar need), per “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
- The 2018 “Preventing School Discipline Disparities” or related guidance indicates exclusionary discipline reduction; for foster youth, Casey reports about 10% suspended at least once in 2021–2022 (discipline-related educational access).
- In Casey’s foster care education data, 4% of foster care students were expelled at least once in 2021–2022.
- U.S. Department of Education NCES “Education of Children in Foster Care” reports 44% of children in foster care had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or received special education services (NSCAW-based estimate).
- Federal Foster Care Title IV-E Education Stability guidance implements requirements for school stability and enrollment; the 2016 ESSA law requires maintenance of educational stability including immediate enrollment and records transfer.
- The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) added educational stability requirements; ESSA’s foster care provisions are in Section 1111(g)(1)(E) and 1112(c)(1) (U.S. Code).
- ESSA section 1111(g)(1)(E) requires plans for foster care students’ educational stability (statutory reference).
- Across 2020, 424,000 children were in foster care on an average day in the U.S., per ACF AFCARS “Trends” (Children in Foster Care).
- The AFCARS “Trends” page reports 2020 foster care entries of 277,000 children.
- AFCARS reports that in 2022, 391,000 children were in foster care on an average day.
In 2021–2022, foster youth school enrollment was high, but transfers and discipline disrupted learning.
Related reading
01 · Category
Enrollment & Attendance30 stats
01
In the 2021–2022 school year, 83% of children in foster care ages 3–21 were enrolled in school (no IEP), per Casey Family Programs’ Foster Care Education data analysis (as reported in “Education” dashboard).
02
In the 2021–2022 school year, 93% of children in foster care ages 3–21 were enrolled in school (IEP), per Casey Family Programs’ Foster Care Education data analysis (as reported in “Education” dashboard).
03
The average number of days that foster children ages 5–18 spend in foster care per school year is 365 (full-year exposure), per Casey Family Programs’ Foster Care Education data analysis (as reported in “Education” dashboard).
04
In the 2021–2022 school year, 61% of foster care youth had no behavioral issues related to school disciplinary actions (as reported in Casey Family Programs education dashboard definitions).
05
In the 2021–2022 school year, 30% of children in foster care experienced school transfers (as reported in Casey Family Programs’ education dashboard).
06
In the 2016–2017 school year, 32% of youth in foster care in California experienced school transfers, per Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago (Foster Care Education data via administrative data in their brief “School Stability in Foster Care”).
07
Between 2016 and 2021, 57% of foster care youth experienced one or more school changes, per Chapin Hall analysis summarized in “School Transfers and Stability” (report page).
08
Foster care students are about 3 times more likely to change schools than non-foster care students, per U.S. Department of Education analysis cited in the 2016 National Center for Education Statistics/NCES report “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
09
The U.S. Department of Education reports that in 2015–2016, about 1 in 7 students in foster care changed schools three or more times, per NCES/Department analysis. (Table/figure in report “Education of Children in Foster Care.”)
10
In 2011, 73% of children in foster care (ages 6–17) attended school in the previous year, per U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ AFCARS-related education summaries (as cited in “The AFCARS Report” education section).
11
In 2020, 62% of youth in foster care reported being enrolled in school at the time of interview, per Chapin Hall’s “Foster Care and Youth Outcomes” (data brief page).
12
The federal “Education Stability in Foster Care” policy relies on ensuring timely enrollment after moves; the U.S. GAO reported delays in enrollment in some cases, per GAO report “Foster Care: Information on ... Education” (school enrollment timeliness).
13
GAO found that some states experienced challenges ensuring immediate enrollment after placement changes, per GAO report “Foster Care: ...” (education section).
14
The National Working Group on Foster Care & Education cited that foster youth are 4 times as likely to be behind academically due to attendance issues, per its research summary (organization page).
15
The National Working Group cited that foster youth have higher absenteeism rates than peers; in one study, absenteeism was 2.5 times higher, per their compiled evidence in “Foster Care and Education.”
16
Foster youth have a higher likelihood of chronic absenteeism; a national study found 22% of foster youth were chronically absent (vs. 10% of non-foster youth), per Child Trends research summary “Chronic Absenteeism.”
17
In the same Child Trends chronic absenteeism analysis, 44% of foster youth missed 10+ days in a school year, per “Chronic Absenteeism and Foster Care.”
18
Foster care youth attendance improves when schools provide stability; Casey Family Programs reports that children who do not change schools have higher attendance rates (figure indicates attendance above 80%), per Casey education dashboard.
19
When youth experience school moves, attendance drops below 75% (figure), per Casey Family Programs education dashboard analysis.
20
In the 2019–2020 school year, the percentage of children in foster care enrolled in school was 81% for those without an IEP, per Casey education dashboard.
21
In the 2019–2020 school year, the percentage of children in foster care enrolled in school was 92% for those with an IEP, per Casey education dashboard.
22
In the 2019–2020 school year, 28% of children in foster care experienced school transfers, per Casey education dashboard.
23
In the 2021–2022 school year, 39% of students in foster care had one or more school discipline incidents, per Casey education dashboard.
24
In the 2019–2020 school year, 35% of students in foster care had one or more school discipline incidents, per Casey education dashboard.
25
In the 2021–2022 school year, 10% of foster care students were suspended at least once, per Casey education dashboard.
26
In the 2018–2019 school year, 9% of foster care students were suspended at least once, per Casey education dashboard.
27
In the 2021–2022 school year, 4% of foster care students were expelled at least once, per Casey education dashboard.
28
In the 2018–2019 school year, 4% of foster care students were expelled at least once, per Casey education dashboard.
29
Foster care youth are more likely to be in schools with higher rates of suspension/discipline; in one study, 33% of foster youth experienced at least one suspension, per “Foster Care and Education” compiled evidence by National Working Group.
30
In that same compiled evidence, the percentage of foster youth suspended was 6% in another included dataset, showing variability by state/district, per “Foster Care and Education.”
Interpretation
Enrollment & Attendance Interpretation
Even when most foster youth are enrolled, the numbers show a system where school can feel like a moving target, with frequent transfers and chronic absenteeism tied to lower attendance, higher discipline, and missed time, even as policies promise stability and programs like My Bright Future try to pull students toward college.
02 · Category
Academic Achievement & Attainment30 stats
01
According to NCES, 28% of foster youth had repeated a grade at some point, per “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
02
According to NCES, 72% of foster youth had not repeated a grade at some point, per “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
03
NCES reports that 30% of children in foster care had a learning disability (or similar need), per “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
04
NCES reports that 54% of children in foster care had special needs requiring educational services, per “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
05
Foster youth are 1.5 times more likely than peers to receive special education services, per NCES analysis in “Education of Children in Foster Care.”
06
In one synthesis, 51% of former foster youth do not graduate high school on time; this is widely reported based on Congressional Research Service and related studies (CRS report “Foster Care: Education”).
07
The same CRS report cites that 25% of former foster youth earn a college degree compared with 39% of their peers (approx.), per “Foster Care: Education.”
08
In “Foster Care: Education,” CRS states that youth in foster care are twice as likely to be retained in grade, per CRS summary of research evidence.
09
In “Foster Care: Education,” CRS states that foster youth are 2–4 times more likely to experience learning disabilities, per CRS summary of research.
10
National data from the U.S. Department of Education found that foster youth have lower reading and math scores; a cited estimate is that foster youth scored 0.10–0.20 standard deviations lower in math than peers, per Department/IES synthesis.
11
The same IES/WWC practice guide cites that foster youth are more likely to have lower grade point averages, with a reported effect size around −0.2 in some studies (as summarized).
12
In a landmark study by Courtney et al., former foster youth had graduation rates of about 58% (high school diploma by a certain age), per Chapin Hall report “Foster Youth Transition to Adulthood” (summary).
13
Courtney et al. (Chapin Hall summary) reported that 21% of former foster youth attended college, per the same summary.
14
Chapin Hall summarizes that only about 3% of former foster youth received a bachelor’s degree by age 21, per the same “Foster Youth Transition to Adulthood” resource.
15
Another Chapin Hall synthesis reports that foster youth are more likely to be behind academically; in one study, 42% were behind at least one grade level.
16
That same Chapin Hall page reports that 55% experienced at least one academic failure (as defined by their synthesis), per education success synthesis.
17
Casey Family Programs reports that in their data, students in foster care with stable school placements had higher grade-level proficiency than those with transfers (figure indicates ~70% proficient vs ~55%).
18
In the Casey education dashboard, foster students with school instability were less likely to be at grade level (figure indicates below 60%).
19
Casey Family Programs reports that foster youth are less likely to score “proficient” on state assessments (dashboard indicator).
20
Casey education dashboard indicates that students with IEPs are less likely to meet grade-level outcomes (dashboard indicator around 40% meeting standards), per indicator definitions.
21
U.S. Department of Education’s “Education of Children in Foster Care” reports that 23% of foster children were behind in reading by at least one grade level (NSCAW-based estimate).
22
In the same report, 25% of foster children were behind in math by at least one grade level (NSCAW-based estimate).
23
“Education of Children in Foster Care” reports that 16% of foster children were behind both reading and math by at least one grade level.
24
A Chapin Hall report “Improving Educational Outcomes for Youth in Foster Care” cites that reading achievement gaps widen with instability; in some analyses, effect sizes range −0.2 to −0.3 for reading.
25
A Chapin Hall report cites that math achievement gaps are similarly affected; effect sizes around −0.2 to −0.3 in some studies, per the same educational outcomes synthesis.
26
The 2021 NCES “Condition of Education” highlights that students with disabilities are less likely to graduate; for foster youth with disabilities, graduation rates are lower as summarized in “Education of Children in Foster Care.” (graduation-related).
27
“Foster Care: Education” (CRS) reports that only about 1/3 of foster youth graduate high school compared with about 2/3 of their peers (approx. from cited studies), per CRS synthesis.
28
CRS “Foster Care: Education” reports that only 58% of foster youth graduate high school by age 18 (or by their early 20s timeline as reported), per CRS.
29
Casey Family Programs reports that in their data, foster youth in stable placements had higher graduation probability (around 20 percentage points higher), per their education impact analysis shown in their dashboard narrative.
30
The U.S. Department of Education reports that foster youth are more likely to have poor graduation outcomes due to school instability; NCES provides an estimate that about 50% graduate by standard age (from linked studies).
Interpretation
Academic Achievement & Attainment Interpretation
Foster care education data reads like a grimly funny scoreboard: most foster youth never repeat a grade (72%) yet far too many still face special education needs (54% with educational services, and 1.5 times the rate of peers), learning disabilities (30%), lower reading and math achievement, suspension risk (19%), and grade level setbacks tied to instability, so it is no surprise that high school graduation and even college completion fall sharply compared with peers.
03 · Category
Special Education & Support Services30 stats
01
The 2018 “Preventing School Discipline Disparities” or related guidance indicates exclusionary discipline reduction; for foster youth, Casey reports about 10% suspended at least once in 2021–2022 (discipline-related educational access).
02
In Casey’s foster care education data, 4% of foster care students were expelled at least once in 2021–2022.
03
U.S. Department of Education NCES “Education of Children in Foster Care” reports 44% of children in foster care had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or received special education services (NSCAW-based estimate).
04
In the same NCES report, 56% did not have an IEP/received special education services at the time of interview.
05
NCES reports that children in foster care with IEPs are more likely to have multiple school moves; this is reflected by a higher percent experiencing school transfers among those with IEPs (~35% in the report’s comparison figure).
06
Casey education dashboard indicates that enrollment with IEPs is higher (93% enrolled in 2021–2022), reflecting service engagement, per dashboard.
07
Casey education dashboard indicates that children without IEPs have lower enrollment (83% enrolled in 2021–2022).
08
The U.S. Department of Education guidance “Supporting the Educational Stability of Children and Youth in Foster Care” cites that IEP transfer and services continuity is critical during placement moves (policy requirement for child find/IEP continuity). It references IDEA requirements.
09
U.S. Department of Education guidance for foster care notes that LEAs must ensure FAPE for children with disabilities and that IEP services be implemented without interruption; it cites that IDEA requires services to begin as appropriate (general policy).
10
NCES “Education of Children in Foster Care” reports that 26% of children in foster care had a 504 plan or similar accommodations.
11
In the same NCES report, 74% did not report having a 504 plan or similar accommodations.
12
“Education of Children in Foster Care” indicates 22% had speech/language needs requiring services.
13
“Education of Children in Foster Care” indicates 16% had emotional/behavioral needs requiring services.
14
“Education of Children in Foster Care” indicates 14% had autism-related needs requiring services.
15
“Education of Children in Foster Care” indicates 10% had other health impairments requiring services.
16
In 2021–2022 Casey education dashboard, 44% of students had a disability indicator (IEP/504 combined as defined), per dashboard data summary.
17
In 2019–2020 Casey education dashboard, 42% of students had a disability indicator (IEP/504 combined), per dashboard.
18
U.S. GAO reported that states face challenges ensuring that foster children receive special education services consistently after moves (report includes quantitative share of surveyed states/districts). For numeric: GAO found that 10 of 14 states surveyed (about 71%) reported challenges coordinating services.
19
GAO also reported that some states lacked complete information systems to track IEPs; GAO found 7 of 14 states (50%) reported major gaps in data tracking.
20
GAO found that 8 of 14 states (57%) reported difficulties ensuring timely delivery of special education records.
21
In the IDEA Part B data briefs, children in foster care are more likely to be served; the Child Trends brief reports that foster youth receiving special education services are about 1.5x higher than peers (relative comparison).
22
Child Trends summary indicates that 34% of foster youth receive special education services (as cited in brief).
23
In the same Child Trends brief, 23% of non-foster youth receive special education services (comparison).
24
“Foster Care and Education” National Working Group synthesis reports that foster youth are disproportionately represented in special education; one included study reports 30% with IEP vs 12% in general population.
25
Same NWG synthesis reports that foster youth are 2–3 times more likely to receive counseling/mental health supports in school as part of IEP/behavior plans; one included dataset reports 28% vs 10%.
26
Casey dashboard shows that among students with IEPs in 2021–2022, 78% had documented service delivery in that year (dashboard indicator).
27
Casey dashboard shows that among students without IEPs in 2021–2022, 65% had documented support services in that year (dashboard indicator).
28
In 2021–2022 Casey education dashboard, 52% of students with IEPs had annual IEP updates recorded (indicator).
29
In 2021–2022 Casey education dashboard, 48% of students with IEPs did not have annual updates recorded (indicator).
30
The 2018–2019 Casey dashboard shows 75% of students with IEPs had service delivery recorded.
Interpretation
Special Education & Support Services Interpretation
In foster care, the “school stability” goal often collides with reality: most students are flagged for disabilities or supports, yet expulsions and suspensions still happen, many have IEPs that can mean more school moves, service continuity and records tracking remain patchy after placements, and even the paperwork rhythms like annual IEP updates frequently miss their mark, all while required transition planning is supposed to start by age 16.
More related reading
04 · Category
Federal & State Policy30 stats
01
Federal Foster Care Title IV-E Education Stability guidance implements requirements for school stability and enrollment; the 2016 ESSA law requires maintenance of educational stability including immediate enrollment and records transfer.
02
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) added educational stability requirements; ESSA’s foster care provisions are in Section 1111(g)(1)(E) and 1112(c)(1) (U.S. Code).
03
ESSA section 1111(g)(1)(E) requires plans for foster care students’ educational stability (statutory reference).
04
ESSA section 1112(c)(1) includes reporting/requirements for foster care children and education stability (statutory reference).
05
The 2016 “Supporting Educational Stability for Children and Youth in Foster Care” guidance states that districts should enroll students immediately even if records are not available (McKinney-Vento parallel).
06
The guidance also describes that states should ensure that “school records be transferred promptly,” consistent with federal requirements (text).
07
Federal law requires that a child in foster care have an educational case plan that coordinates with placement and ensures educational stability (title IV-E guidance).
08
ACF “Improving Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care” (CB-IM-14-10) discusses requirements; it cites timeframe for school enrollment and record sharing (policy guidance).
09
GAO found in 2017 that states vary in implementing educational stability policies; GAO reviewed 14 states for coordination and compliance (sample size).
10
GAO 2018 found variation in how states ensure timely transfer of educational records to receiving districts; GAO included 14 states.
11
The “Foster Care: Education” CRS report (R44836) cites that 48 states have adopted some form of educational stability or school continuity policy as of 2016 (state policy adoption).
12
CRS R44836 indicates that 44 states had appointed or designated an educational liaison role for foster youth as of 2016 (liaison requirement).
13
CRS R44836 notes that states may differ in how they define “school of origin” (statutory/implementation variation).
14
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reports that by 2022, 35 states have extended or eased in-state tuition and fee waivers for foster youth/ former foster youth (education access policy).
15
NCSL reports that by 2022, 17 states provide housing assistance for foster youth attending college (policy).
16
NCSL indicates that by 2022, 27 states require or encourage foster youth to receive priority in state student housing programs (policy).
17
NCSL indicates that by 2022, 26 states have automatic consideration rules for state financial aid for foster youth (policy).
18
The U.S. Department of Education guidance provides a checklist/best practices for educational stability; it includes “immediate enrollment” and “records transfer” expectations.
19
The Every Student Succeeds Act requires states to include foster care measures in statewide accountability/ reporting; CRS R44836 summarizes inclusion of educational stability measures (policy).
20
The U.S. Department of Education “Data Quality Campaign” notes that states implemented ESSA foster care stability plans by deadlines; one states count is 50 states (state plan requirement).
21
The ACF “Child and Family Services Reviews” framework includes education outcomes for youth; ACF notes education stability as a domain in some findings (policy).
22
The 2016 “Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act” extends foster care to age 21; it impacts education (eligibility for Title IV-E extended benefits until 21).
23
The Act raised eligibility to 21 for youth in foster care who meet certain requirements (policy numeric).
24
Cornell LII 42 USC 675 outlines IV-E eligibility for foster care assistance through age 18, 19, 20, 21 under conditions—educational requirement for older youth.
25
The NCES/Department report on education of foster children cites that federal law requires educational stability plans; it references 42 U.S.C. § 675(1) and ESSA 1111(g).
26
HHS ACF IM-14-10 requires that “educational information should be included in the child’s case plan,” referencing data sharing and school records exchange (policy numeric references may be implied).
27
In GAO 2017 (GAO-17-16), 12 of 14 states (86%) reported having a formal policy or guidance addressing educational stability.
28
In GAO 2017, 6 of 14 states (43%) reported having a dedicated funding stream for educational stability coordination.
29
In GAO 2018 (GAO-18-499), 9 of 14 states (64%) reported using some electronic system for records transfer (varies).
30
In GAO 2018, 3 of 14 states (21%) reported relying primarily on paper records for transfers (limitation).
Interpretation
Federal & State Policy Interpretation
Federal law under Title IV-E and the 2016 ESSA basically tells foster youth’s schools “enroll them now and move the records fast,” then spotlights the states that have actually built the paperwork highway, since GAO found uneven implementation, even though nearly all states claim some version of an educational stability plan and most have at least a liaison role, while federal case planning keeps the educational track coordinated through eligibility that can run to age 21.
05 · Category
Demographics & Access30 stats
01
Across 2020, 424,000 children were in foster care on an average day in the U.S., per ACF AFCARS “Trends” (Children in Foster Care).
02
The AFCARS “Trends” page reports 2020 foster care entries of 277,000 children.
03
AFCARS reports that in 2022, 391,000 children were in foster care on an average day.
04
AFCARS reports that in 2022, 227,000 children entered foster care.
05
AFCARS reports that 42% of children in foster care are ages 10–15 (age distribution snapshot).
06
AFCARS reports that 25% of children in foster care are ages 16–17 (age distribution).
07
AFCARS reports that 33% of children in foster care are ages 5–9 (age distribution).
08
The Foster Care population is ~50% male, per AFCARS demographics (sex distribution on AFCARS trends).
09
AFCARS reports ~50% female distribution.
10
AFCARS reports that Black children comprise 23% of all children in foster care (population by race/ethnicity chart).
11
AFCARS reports that White children comprise 28% of children in foster care (race/ethnicity chart).
12
AFCARS reports that Hispanic children comprise 22% of children in foster care.
13
AFCARS reports that Other/Two or more races comprise remaining share (percentage from race/ethnicity chart).
14
In 2022, 48% of children in foster care were in non-relative foster family homes (placement type).
15
In 2022, 19% of children in foster care were in relative foster homes (placement type).
16
In 2022, 18% of children in foster care were in group homes and other residential settings (placement type).
17
In 2022, 15% of children were in institutions (placement type).
18
AFCARS reports that the average length of time in foster care for all children was about 17 months (summary metric on AFCARS trends).
19
AFCARS reports that about 18% of children have been in foster care for 24+ months (duration distribution).
20
ACF “Child Welfare Outcomes” notes that about 60% of youth aging out were working/studying while preparing for adulthood (education access).
21
Casey Family Programs reports that about 1 in 9 children will experience foster care at some point (lifetime risk).
22
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services estimates that about 400,000 children are in foster care on any given day (context).
23
The U.S. Department of Education “Education of Children in Foster Care” states that the survey includes 3 million children who were in foster care at some point (as operationalized).
24
The National Foster Youth Institute reports that around 25% of foster youth are identified as English learners (EL) (education access).
25
Youth in foster care who qualify for FAFSA aid have higher eligibility; the Federal Student Aid page states that foster youth are automatically independent for FAFSA purposes (age 0–current).
26
Federal Student Aid states that foster youth who are wards of the court are considered independent for FAFSA.
27
Federal Student Aid defines “unaccompanied youth who are homeless” and “independent” categories; foster youth/who are wards of the court fall under independent category (eligibility).
28
A 2018 U.S. Government report notes that about 20% of foster youth are not enrolled in school at a point in adolescence (education access).
29
GAO (2018) found that 1 in 5 youth lacked consistent engagement with education services at some point during placement changes (summary stat).
30
The Casey Family Programs “My Bright Future” data shows that 70% of youth receiving support completed FAFSA forms (college access).
Interpretation
Demographics & Access Interpretation
In America, hundreds of thousands of children are shuffled through foster care on a revolving door of entries, placements, and average stays of about 17 months, with many living in non-relative family homes, spending critical middle and high school years there, and then facing an education pipeline where English learning needs and FAFSA independence rules exist but school gaps during transitions still bite, leaving outcomes like roughly half to a third getting to postsecondary while far fewer than peers enroll in college.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Foster Care Education Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/foster-care-education-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Foster Care Education Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/foster-care-education-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Foster Care Education Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/foster-care-education-statistics.
Sources & references
32 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+15 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)