Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide
About The Guide
In collaboration with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (Children's Commission), TEA has developed a resource to support Texas schools in addressing the education of students in foster care: Texas Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide (2022).
This e-guide and training manual contain a variety of key researched-based topics and calls attention to important matters related to the education of students in foster care. The guide promotes best practices and contains numerous tips, tools, resources, and links to more information.
It is TEA’s intention that the guide be widely used and distributed. Please share with your districts, schools, and networks. The guide is available in a variety of formats.
Updated Resource Guide 2022
The latest version of the Texas Foster Care and Student Success Guide (2022) is built upon the foundation of the original Foster Care and Student Success Guide (2013) and includes updated content throughout. Notably the guide now includes updates from three Texas Legislative Sessions, and adds two new chapters.
Download Updated Resource Guide
Individual chapter downloads are also available below.
Cover and Front Matter
Foster Care & Student Success:
Texas systems working together to transform education outcomes of students in foster care
- Acknowledgments
- Key for Icons and Colors
- Table of Contents
- Preface
Chapter 1
Education & Students in Foster Care:
An Overview
- Introduction
- National Overview
- Maintaining School Stability
- Texas Foster Care Data
Chapter 2
Increasing Cross-System Awareness
- Texas Commits to Improving Education Outcomes of Students in Care
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Court System
- Education System
- Workforce System
Chapter 3
Building Cross-System Partnerships:
Education, Child Welfare, and Courts
- Cross-System Collaboration Is Necessary
- Guiding Principles and Ground Rules
- Practical Steps for Establishing Collaboration and Local Partnerships
- Collaboration In Action: Foster Care Consortia
Chapter 4
Child Welfare 101
- What Is Foster Care?
- How Children and Youth Enter the Foster Care System
- Types Of Abuse and Neglect Investigated by The Department of Family and Protective Services
- Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
- Living Arrangements of Children and Youth in Foster Care
- A Student’s Journey Through Foster Care
- Key People Involved in The Life of a Student in Foster Care
- Working With Key People in A DFPS Case in The School Setting
- Other Situations Where a Child May Be Living in Out-Of-Home Care, But Not in DFPS Managing Conservatorship
Chapter 5
District & Open Enrollment Charter School Foster Care Liaisons: Responsibilities & Expectations
- Liaison Introduction and Overview
- Annual Reminders
- 13 Key Activities for LEA Foster Care Liaisons
Chapter 6
School Enrollment, Withdrawal, and Other Transition Considerations for Students in Foster Care
- Why Prompt Enrollment Is Important
- Timeframe For Enrollment at A New School
- Records Needed to Admit and Enroll a Student in School
- Information Necessary for Admission and Enrollment Described
- Actions To Take When a Student in Foster Care Withdraws or Changes Schools
- DFPS Coordination to Support School Transitions
- Other School Transition Considerations:
- McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Services and Child Welfare
- Eligibility for School Meal Programs
- Children In Foster Care Are Eligible for Free Pre-K Programs in Public Schools
- Daily Attendance
Chapter 7
Identifying Students & Maintaining Confidentiality
- Reasons Why Schools Must Identify Students in Foster Care
- Acceptable Documents for Identifying Students at Enrollment
- Foster Care and PEIMS Coding
- FERPA And Information Sharing for Students in Foster Care
- Practices To Identify Students and Ensure Confidentiality
- Communicating “Need-To-Know” Information
Chapter 8 (New!)
Introduction to The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Described
- ESSA, Fostering Connections and Texas Law
- ESSA Impacts for Students in Foster Care
- ESSA Foster Care Topics and Common Questions
- School of Origin
- Education Best Interest Determination
- Streamlined Transitions
- Designated Points of Contact
- Transportation Dispute Resolution
- Data Collection and Reporting
Chapter 9
Education Decision-Making
- Education Decision-Making Authority
- Education Decision-Making for Students Receiving Special Education Services
- Caregiver And Caseworker General Education Decision Making Responsibilities
- Deciding Where a Student Attends School
- Involvement Of the Student’s Parents or Other Family Members
Chapter 10
Trauma-Informed School Supports, Student Mental Health, & Discipline
- The Impact of Traumatic Childhood Experiences on Education
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces)
- Trauma-Informed School Communities
- Supporting The Mental Health Needs of Students in Foster Care
- Supporting The Behavioral Health Needs of Students in Foster Care
- Student Discipline: Special Considerations for Students in Foster Care
- Truancy And Attendance Concerns
- Bullying Prevention
- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Chapter 11
The School Experience: Providing Student Support, Implementing Academic Supports and Interventions, & Promoting High School Completion
- Creating A School Environment That Is Sensitive to The Experiences of Students in Foster Care
- Programmatic School Supports for Student Academic Success and Well-Being
- Implementing Academic Supports and Intervention According to State Law
- Promoting High School Completion
- Determining The Right Endorsement for Graduation
- The Impact of Testing on High School Completion
- Determining When a High School Equivalency Program (HSEP) Is Appropriate
Chapter 12
Students Eligible for or Receiving Special Education Services
- Special Education Eligibility
- Serving As The “Parent” Regarding Special Education Decisions
- Surrogate Parents
- The Role of Caregivers for Students in Special Education
- Requesting A Psychological or Educational Evaluation of a Student
- Considerations For Highly Mobile Students
- If A Student’s Special Education Needs Are Not Being Met
- Section 504
Chapter 13
Transitioning from Foster Care & Post-Secondary Education Opportunities
- Transitional Living Services Described
- Helping Students Prepare for The Transition to Successful Adulthood
- High School to College & Career – Creating Post-Secondary Pathways
- Post-Secondary Education Opportunities
- Financial Supports for Post-Secondary Education
- Preparing Students for College
- College Support Networks and College Campus Programs
Appendices
- Appendix A: Glossary of Terms
- Appendix B: Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care
- Appendix C: Key People Involved in the Life of a Student in Foster Care?
- Appendix D: CPS Process – Flow Chart
- Appendix E: Placement Authorization Form 2085 – Sample Forms
- Appendix F: Designation of Education Decision-Maker (2085-E)
- Appendix G: List of School Records to be Transferred Through TREx System
- Appendix H: Education Records Collected by CPS System, Case Record and Education Portfolio
- Appendix I: A Description of the Responsibilities and Duties of the DFPS Regional Education Specialist
- Appendix J: Resource Section
- Appendix K: DFPS Forms, Enrollment, and Identification FAQs
References and Back Matter
Download References and Back Matter (PDF)
- Original Guide Contributors Acknowledgement
- Beyond the Guide
- Citation, Disclosure & Copyright
Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide
TEA developed a premiere resource to support Texas schools in addressing the education of students in foster care: Texas Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide (PDF). This guide is the product of collaboration with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (Children's Commission). This e-guide and training manual contains a variety of key researched-based topics and calls attention to important matters related to the education of students in foster care. The guide promotes best practices and contains numerous tips, tools, resources and links to more information.
TEA desires that the guide be widely used and distributed! Please share with your districts, schools and networks. The guide is available in a variety of formats.
Guide Formats
You can download the complete resource guide below:
- The complete interactive foster care resource guide (PDF) is available or select individual chapters below.
- TEA’s Office of Publications has full color hard copies that you can order.
- A larger, hi-resolution digital PDF file is available. It is useful for producing high-quality copies for distribution. Email fostercareliaison@tea.texas.gov to request the guide in hi-resolution.
Individual chapter downloads are also available:
| Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide - Content Sections | ||
| Section | Content | PDF size |
|---|---|---|
| Cover and Front matter | Preface | 913 KB |
| Chapter 1 | Education & Students in Foster Care: An Overview | 631 KB |
| Chapter 2 | Increasing Cross-System Awareness | 836 KB |
| Chapter 3 | Building Cross-System Partnerships: Education, Child Welfare & Courts | 487 KB |
| Chapter 4 | Foster Care Overview: Understanding the Foster Care System | 1.1 MB |
| Chapter 5 | District Foster Care Liaisons: Responsibilities & Expectations | 315 KB |
| Chapter 6 | Identifying Students & Maintaining Confidentiality: Key Considerations | 356 KB |
| Chapter 7 | Enrollment 101 | 623 KB |
| Chapter 8 | School Stability & Promoting Effective Transfers: Common Questions | 1.1 MB |
| Chapter 9 | Education Decision Making, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) & Sharing Education Information with Child Welfare Stakeholders | 758 KB |
| Chapter 10 | Additional School Provisions & Procedures | 893 KB |
| Chapter 11 | The School Experience: Providing Student Support, Implementing Academic Supports and Interventions & Promoting High School Completion |
1.3 MB |
| Chapter 12 | Students Eligible for or Receiving Special Education Services | 471 MB |
| Chapter 13 | Transitioning Out of Foster Care and Post-Secondary Education Opportunities | 926 MB |
| Endnotes | 135 KB | |
| Appendices | 954 KB | |
| References and Back matter | 160 KB | |