Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

August 2015 edition

8. Foster Youth Education

⧠ If the child is age 0-3, child assessed for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services

⧠ If the child is age 0-5, enrolled in Early Head Start, Head Start, or Pre-Kindergarten

School Stability

⧠ Child enrolled in and has transportation to current school

⧠ Child remains in current school, 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 has 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 the child’s school and others

School Enrollment

⧠ Child immediately enrolled in a new school if a change was required

⧠ 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)

⧠ Child’s caretaker signed the 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 (an endorsement 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 placement and services

⧠ If eligible:

•   Date of child’s last Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD)

•   Child has Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is current, appropriate, and in force

•   Surrogate parent appointed for child

*Denotes a Best Practice