Michigan Legislature Introduces Bill to Improve Foster Care Education Metrics

Strategic Insights -

The Michigan Legislature has introduced a bill aimed at providing more detailed information about the education of children in foster care. The bill proposes to require the Department of Human Services to provide a report to various state committees and agencies, including detailed statistics on the academic performance of foster children. The report would break down the data by school type, including public schools, public school academies, private schools, and schools at child caring institutions. This initiative is intended to help improve the education outcomes for children in foster care and ensure they receive the support they need to succeed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill proposes to require the Department of Human Services to provide a report on the education of children in foster care, including statistics on their academic performance, enrollment, and dropout rates.
  • The report would break down the data by school type, including public schools, public school academies, private schools, and schools at child caring institutions.
  • The bill aims to improve the education outcomes for children in foster care by providing more detailed information about their academic performance.
  • The report would include statistics on the number of children in foster care who meet academic standards, receive alternative or special education services, and are assigned to advanced placement, early middle college, or dual enrollment programs.
  • The bill also proposes to track the number of children in foster care who graduate or obtain a high school equivalency diploma within five years of exiting foster care.
  • This initiative is designed to help address the educational disparities faced by children in foster care and ensure they receive the support they need to succeed.

Statistics:

  • The report would include the total number of children in foster care identified by grade of instruction.
  • The number of children in foster care transferred to a different school district during the academic school year.
  • The number of children in foster care who were suspended or expelled from school during the academic school year.
  • The total number of children in foster care identified by chronic absenteeism, truancy, or as drop-outs.
  • The percentage of children in foster care who meet academic standards on state standardized assessments.
  • The percentage of children in foster care who are receiving alternative or special education services.
  • The percentage of children in foster care who are assigned to advanced placement, early middle college, or dual enrollment programs.
  • The percentage of children in foster care who are assigned to career and technical education.
  • The percentage of children in foster care, or who engaged in foster care in the last 5 years, who graduated or obtained a high school equivalency diploma.

Sources:

  • 1994 PA 203, "Foster care and adoption services act," (MCL 722.951 to 722.960)
  • Lansing: The Michigan Legislature.