Asking the Right Questions: A Judicial Checklist to Ensure That the Educational Needs of Children and Youth in Foster Care are Being Addressed

• NCJ Number: 209953
• Author(s): Melissa Litchfield; Sophia I. Gatowski Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 26 pages
• Corporate Author: Permanency Planning for Children Dept
• Sale Source: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This brief outlines the array of questions that may be asked in a courtroom with respect to the educational needs of children and youth in foster care to ascertain if children’s educational needs are being met while in the foster care system.

Abstract

Studies have shown that education is a significant factor in determining the success of children and youth as they leave the foster care system. However, research measuring the educational, social, and vocational outcomes for children and youth in foster care shows that the majority of these children do poorly in school. A method developed to help ensure that children and youth placed in foster care achieve success in school and are prepared for their future is the Checklist Project. This education checklist was developed for use by judges to make inquiries about the educational needs of children and youth under their jurisdiction, with the goal of positively impacting their educational outcomes and preparing them for successful adulthood. This technical assistance brief presents a tool, a field-tested checklist/list of questions that judges, who are believed to play a distinct role in ensuring that the educational needs of youth in care are met, can use to help ensure that these needs are met. 12 Endnotes