The Road to the
Finish Line:
Support for Youth
in Post Secondary
Settings
Improving college
success through
practice, policy &
advocacy advances
“Graduating from college meant that I won. It proves
that my father was wrong when he said I wouldn’t
amount to nothing. Most of all, it meant that I would
gain the knowledge to use my experience to help
other people. College meant freedom from my past
and the ability to choose my future.”
•
Maria, 2007 college graduate from foster care
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When is ‘underrepresentation’ a crisis?
General Population
• High school graduation
70%
Students in Foster Care
<50%
• College ready/prep
30%
10/15% ???
• College going from h.s.
65%
10%-15%
40%/38%
70%/30%
– cc vs. public 4-year college
• College completion rate
55%
???
• U.S. adults w/ bachelor’s
degree or above
28%
2% ???
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For every 100 students in foster care who enter
secondary school:
 Maybe 50 will complete high school…..
 10 – 15 may enroll in some postsecondary education or
training program…..
 Maybe 7 will receive an AA degree or certificate & 2 may
earn a bachelor’s degree…..
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“This situation is morally repugnant!”
Rueven Carlyle - Washington State Representative
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Common Barriers to College Access and Success
K-12 school/placement
instability
• Few engaged in college prep
courses, TRIO & GEAR UP
programs
• Lack of educational and career
advocacy at any level
• Low high school graduation
rates
• Emotional/mental health
issues
• Records transfer and
confidentiality issues
• Long terms effects of abuse
and neglect – trust issues
Higher Education Success
• On their own (‘Independence’) at
a young age
• Survival mode dominates
• Lack of knowledge about college
• Inadequate college aspirations
and preparations
• Lack of role models, college
advocates, mentors/coaches
• Long terms effects of abuse and
neglect – trust issues
• Few college programs are aware
of their support needs
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Foster Youth Succeed When Provided With Support!
When foster youth are provided with the attention and
supports they need, they can and do succeed. Innovative
strategies that provide educational champions for foster
youth coupled with collaborative, cross-system programs
make a big difference in improving high school graduation
rates, enabling success in college and advancing young
people’s careers.
In fact, when foster youth receive support in college, they
can outperform other students in graduating from college.
Understanding foster youth educational outcomes (2011). insights In-Depth, California Child Welfare
Co-Investment Partnership, Special Edition, Vol. V, Fall.
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Federal & State Policy Matters!
Federal:
• Fostering Connections Act
• Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)
• College Cost Reductions Act
• Chafee Foster Care Independence Act/ETV
State:
• College tuition waivers
• Passport to College (WA)
• AB 12 (CA)
• extended Medicaid coverage
• Housing (e.g. CA’s Housing Placement Program (THPP)
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Targeted Supports Work….. and are Growing!
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Advocacy matters!
“Programs like guardian scholars and renaissance scholars
help give California's foster youth vital support to finish
school. Students who might otherwise find themselves
homeless and hopeless instead become college graduates.
With a 73% success rate, these programs are clearly
best practices that need to be encouraged,
supported and replicated!”
Honorable Karen Bass Speaker of the California State Assembly (2008)
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Higher Education - Advocating for Improved
Supports to Students from Foster Care
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Action is needed…..
What will it take for your state to address this
dire situation?
Who do we need to partner w/ to realize dramatic
change in higher education access and success?
How long will it take to reach parity with the
general population?
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