Among the most vulnerable Californians, foster children and youth are highly likely to
confront such factors associated with school failure as poverty and disability.
At Greater Risk, California Foster Youth and the Path from High School to College reveals heartbreaking statistics about the educational outcomes of the California foster youth:
- 45% of foster youth completed high school, compared with 53% of similarly disadvantaged youth and 79% of the general student population;
- 43% of foster youth enrolled in community college, compared with 46% of similarly disadvantaged youth and 59% of the general student population;
- 41% of the foster youth who enrolled in college remained enrolled in community college for a second year, compared with 48% of similarly disadvantaged youth and 62% of the general student population.
The report also offers suggestions for increasing efforts to improve educational programming targeted at foster youth and steps for the future.
