8. Foster Care & Education Judicial Checklist

Foster Care & Education Judicial Checklist

School Readiness

Children ages 0-3 assessed for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services.

Children ages 0-5 enrolled in Early Head Start, Head Start, or Pre-Kindergarten.

School Stability

Child remains enrolled in and has transportation to the school the child attended prior to removal.

Child remains in the school where the child is currently enrolled unless it is not in their best interest, regardless of additional placement changes.

School changes occur at the end of grading periods.

School changes do not conflict with standardized testing or final exams.

Education Decision-Making

DFPS has conservatorship and designated an Education Decision-Maker (EDM).

Parent retains or other person given specific education-related rights as appropriate.

DFPS provided EDM Form 2085-E to child's school and information regarding the EDM filed with court.

Surrogate parent appointed to make decisions regarding special education if a foster parent is unwilling or unable to fulfill that role.

School Enrollment

Child attends their current school or is enrolled in a new school within three school days.

Education record or credit transfer issues addressed by court as necessary.

School Placement and School Success

What does the child say about school and where wants to attend?

Child in an appropriate school.

Child progressing academically and on grade level.

Additional school supports addressed as needed.

Child involved in extracurricular activities.

Discipline issues addressed (truancy, suspension, expulsion, restraints).

Caregiver signed annual form to prohibit corporal punishment at school.

Post-Secondary Education

If the youth is at least grade 9, personal graduation plan created and graduation endorsement chosen (this is in addition to the Foundation High School Program in STEM, Business & Industry, Public Services, Arts & Humanities, or Multi-Disciplinary Studies).

Child has a college or career plan.

Child and his caregivers know about high school graduation requirements and how to prepare and apply for post-secondary education.

Special Education

If needed, child evaluated for special education services.

If eligible:

Date of child's last Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting.

Child has Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is current, appropriate, and in place.

ARD committee meets at least one time annually.

If child transfers schools, previous IEP implemented or a new IEP is developed and approved by ARD committee.

Transition planning coordinated, beginning no later than age 14.