Foster Youth Education Rights

College School District is committed to supporting the educational stability, safety, and success of students in foster care. Students in foster care have specific educational rights under California and federal law to help reduce school disruptions and ensure access to the same academic opportunities, services, and activities as all students.

The District works in partnership with students, caregivers, educational rights holders, social workers, school staff, and community agencies to help foster youth remain connected to school, enroll without delay, and receive the support they need to thrive.

Educational Rights for Foster Youth

Students in foster care have the right to:

  • Remain in their school of origin when it is in the student’s best interest

  • Enroll immediately in school after a change in placement, even if normally required documents are not available at the time of enrollment

  • Attend their local school near their current placement, if preferred or if it is in the student’s best interest

  • Receive support with school records, enrollment documents, and transfer of grades or credits

  • Receive transportation support when applicable

  • Participate fully in school programs, services, extracurricular activities, and school events

  • Receive support during school transitions

  • Be free from discrimination, barriers, or delays related to foster care status

  • Remain in school while school placement or enrollment disagreements are being resolved

School of Origin

A student’s school of origin may include the school the student attended when they first entered foster care, the school most recently attended, or another school the student attended within the past 15 months and feels connected to.

When a student’s foster care placement changes, the District will work with the student, caregiver, educational rights holder, and placing agency to determine whether remaining in the school of origin is in the student’s best interest.

Immediate Enrollment

Students in foster care have the right to immediate enrollment in school. Enrollment should not be delayed because of missing records, proof of residency, immunization records, school documents, uniforms, or other normally required paperwork.

College School District will help request and obtain records from the student’s previous school and will work to ensure the student can begin attending school as quickly as possible.

District Support

College School District’s foster youth liaison helps remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, school stability, and participation. Support may include:

  • Assistance with school enrollment

  • Coordination with caregivers, educational rights holders, social workers, and school staff

  • Help requesting or transferring school records

  • Support with school placement or school-of-origin questions

  • Connection to academic, social-emotional, and community resources

  • Assistance during school transitions

  • Help understanding student rights and available services

Foster Youth Educational Liaison

For questions, support, or assistance with foster youth education rights, please contact:

Foster Youth Educational Liaison
[Name / Title]
College School District
[Address]
[Phone]
[Email]