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The voices of youth formerly in foster care: Perspectives on educational attainment gaps

Author

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  • Clemens, Elysia V.
  • Helm, Heather M.
  • Myers, Kristin
  • Thomas, Christina
  • Tis, Matt

Abstract

As a population, youth who experience foster care graduate from high school at rates well below their non-foster care peers (National Working Group for Foster Care & Education, 2014). A Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) study was conducted to better understand the perspective of former foster youth on the graduation gap and their experience in school. Analysis of focus group data revealed one overarching domain, emotional consequences, as well as seven additional domains that related to youths' experiences surrounding their educational attainment: resilience, basic needs, internalized messages about education, educational stability, consequences of school mobility, fastest or easiest positive exit from K-12, and recommendations from youth. This research highlights the challenges faced by 16 former foster youth, their perspectives regarding the need to raise expectations, and their suggestions for closing the educational attainment gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Clemens, Elysia V. & Helm, Heather M. & Myers, Kristin & Thomas, Christina & Tis, Matt, 2017. "The voices of youth formerly in foster care: Perspectives on educational attainment gaps," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 65-77.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:79:y:2017:i:c:p:65-77
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Mehana, Majida & Reynolds, Arthur J., 2004. "School mobility and achievement: a meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 93-119, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Goulet, Julie & Maltais, Christine & Archambault, Isabelle & Noël, Véronique & Guériton, Muriel, 2024. "Supporting academic achievement of children in out-of-home care through effective interventions: results of a systematic review and meta-analyses," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    2. Clemens, Elysia V. & Klopfenstein, Kristin & Lalonde, Trent L. & Tis, Matt, 2018. "The effects of placement and school stability on academic growth trajectories of students in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 86-94.
    3. Zárate-Alva, Nair Elizabeth & Sala-Roca, Josefina, 2019. "Socio-emotional skills of girls and young mothers in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 50-56.
    4. Kang, Hyunah & Chun, JongSerl & Nho, Choong Rai & Woo, Seokjin & Chung, Ick-Joong, 2018. "How do physical health problems of Korean adolescents in out-of-home care affect their psychosocial adaptations? The mediation of bullying victimization experiences," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 670-678.
    5. Blakeslee, Jennifer & Miller, Rebecca & Uretsky, Mathew, 2022. "Efficacy of the Project Futures self-determination coaching model for college students with foster care backgrounds and mental health challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    6. Heyman, Janna C. & White-Ryan, Linda & Kelly, Peggy & Farmer, G. Lawrence & Leaman, Tara Linh & Davis, Henry J., 2020. "Voices about foster care: The value of trust," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    7. Havlicek, Judy, 2023. "“Don’t Give Up”: Persevering for a better life through community college among students with foster care experience," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    8. Townsend, Indra M. & Berger, Emily P. & Reupert, Andrea E., 2020. "Systematic review of the educational experiences of children in care: Children’s perspectives," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    9. Wagner, Anna C. & Heberle, Amy E., 2024. "Exploring the development of narrative identities in emerging adults who have been in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    10. Marion, Élodie & Mann-Feder, Varda, 2020. "Supporting the educational attainment of youth in residential care: From issues to controversies," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    11. Lamb, Brittani A. & Lee, Knoo & Espinoza, Sarah M. & McMorris, Barbara J., 2022. "The power of connectedness: Associations between caring non-parental adult relationships, school attendance, and discipline among foster-involved youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    12. Semanchin Jones, Annette & Bowen, Elizabeth & Ball, Annahita, 2018. "“School definitely failed me, the system failed me”: Identifying opportunities to impact educational outcomes for homeless and child welfare-involved youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 66-76.
    13. Höjer, Ingrid & Lindberg, Helena & Nielsen, Bo & Gustafsson, Jan-Eric & Johansson, Helena, 2018. "Recognition of education and schooling in case files for children and young people placed in out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 135-142.
    14. Hajal, Nastassia J. & Paley, Blair & Delja, Jolie R. & Gorospe, Clarissa M. & Mogil, Catherine, 2019. "Promoting family school-readiness for child-welfare involved preschoolers and their caregivers: Case examples," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 181-193.
    15. Clemens, Elysia V. & Klopfenstein, Kristin & Tis, Matt & Lalonde, Trent L., 2017. "Educational stability policy and the interplay between child welfare placements and school moves," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 209-217.
    16. Marion, Élodie & Tchuindibi, Laurence & Fiset, David & Trinh, Caroline, 2024. "Disruption and adaptation: The school mobility experience of young people in residential care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).

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