Foster Children Reach Their Potential Through Educational Stability

Changing schools can be difficult and disruptive for any child, but especially for students in foster care. Research shows that school transitions significantly interfere with learning and that even a single change can delay educational progress.

While placement in foster care is generally temporary, it is almost always best if children are placed with foster parents in their own community so they don’t have to change schools. Each time a child changes school, she/he loses approximately 6 months of knowledge and skills.

Last year in MA, a bill was introduced that would allow kids entering foster care to continue in their current school when it’s in their best interest. A critical factor in making this work is the availability of foster parents in the kids’ communities.

In 2014 alone, Plummer Foster Care had to turn away 200 children throughout Northeastern MA due to a shortage of foster parents. To help these kids achieve educational stability, it is essential that we find more people willing to foster kids of all ages, ethnic and economic backgrounds.

Fostering can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. To become a foster parent, you don’t need a big house, a spouse or partner or parenting experience. What you do need is dedication, patience and a strong desire to provide a stable and loving home for a child in foster care. Please consider becoming a foster parent for a youth in your community.

Resources
http://www.fostercareandeducation.org/AreasofFocus/BlueprintforChange.aspx
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H76