Your caseworker has just moved you to yet another foster home, this one way across town. You'll be out of school for at least a week. When you do go back, it will be to a different school - the third one this year. You'll do your best, but you know from experience that catching up won't be easy.
Florida's lawmakers could help you and other young foster children like you - if House Speaker Johnnie Byrd would get on the stick. Sitting in House Appropriations is a good bill, approved by the Senate and recommended by several House committees, that would minimize educational disruptions and extend support to school-age foster children. The Department of Children and Families already has enough money to carry out its terms. The proposed law could spell greater success for struggling foster children and should be passed before lawmakers adjourn.
Under the measure (HB 279/SB 1232), DCF would partner with local school boards to keep foster kids in their same schools, where possible, and to intervene when a foster child needs extra assistance to overcome disruptions. It would also beef up training for caseworkers and foster parents, focusing all parties on how to help the child succeed in school.
Studies show that more than one in two children have to change schools when they enter foster care. They miss class and fall behind as they face new teachers, classmates and curriculum. Experts say that missing school for a week can put such a child behind by a month.
No wonder foster children are more likely to post lower test scores and be held back, as the Broward School Board documented last year. Broward has already executed the interagency agreement mandated by the bill and is showing promising results.
Byrd needs to get this bill to the floor. Foster children have enough pain and disruption in their home lives. They don't need more of it at school.
