I can honestly, and sadly, say during my first years of teaching, I did not think about the "home" many of my students went to when they left school grounds. Silly middle class me, two parent household me (until I was 14 when my parents divorced), silly naive, the world of my students has to be like my world me.
Have you ever considered which students in your classroom or at your school site are foster students? Chances are, you haven't. Unless you grew up in the foster care system yourself, you really don't know. Let me share something else with you, Vanessa's story is a UNIQUE one. She's enrolled in college, MANY FOSTER STUDENTS DO NOT MAKE IT THERE. Many leave the system at 18, because they are considered adults, and don't have access to their birth certificates or their social security numbers. How can you obtain employment when you don't have access to these very basic pieces of information? Many children are not placed in permanent homes. Many children transition more than 20 times. Many children are subjected to group home bullies who taunt them constantly, sexual and physical abuse by foster care parents or their relatives, or teasing or taunting from peers in school because of their clothing, lack of hair cut,clean teeth, etc... Many face all of these obstacles at the same time.
Now add homework and your disapproving stares or questions on to that.
Yes, I know life isn't fair. Life will never be fair, but I implore you to take into consideration the type of home environment your students go home to before assigning projects that will cost money to make, or are a substantial portion of their grade. Also be sensitive to things like "family tree" or "family history" projects.
I have yet another book suggestion for you. I am purchasing the book today from a website bookstore:
This book is the sequel to the book "Push" that was adapted into the movie "Precious."
Precious goes on to have her second child, a boy... "The Kid." Precious later finds out that she has HIV. "The Kid" opens to the son, his name is Abdul, at his mother's funeral. He is nine. Then it very graphically explains the horrors that this little boy has to endure daily.
After reading this book, think of your own students.
Okay, let me back track. The worst mistake you could do is ASSUME all of your kids have this issue. The easiest way to find out is... *drum roll*, ask.
Go to your principal and ask if there are any students that you currently teach that have been identified as foster students. If you can't know specific names due to privacy laws, ask if you can have a number. Tell your principal you want to make sure when you provide assignments, you alter the way you provide them to take these students into consideration because you want to ensure success for ALL students. Your principal should be impressed by this as I can assure you many, if any, teachers ask this.
Get those names or that number of students, remember the book "The Kid" and keep it with you.
Here are some startling facts about children in the foster care system you can keep with you as a teacher to serve as a reminder:
This data was obtained via : Foster care FACTS, CLICK HERE
The data is old too, from 2005. With the recession our country is currently facing, I can assure you the data is higher in number.
Age:
Average Age: 10.0 years
Average Age: 10.0 years
6% < 1 year
26% 1-5 years
20% 6-10 years
28% 11-15 years
18% 16-18 years
2% >19 years
26% 1-5 years
20% 6-10 years
28% 11-15 years
18% 16-18 years
2% >19 years
Gender:
Male 52%
Female 48%
Female 48%
Race and Ethnicity:
As a percentage, there are more children of color in the foster care system than in the general U.S. population. However, child abuse and neglect occur at about the same rate in all racial/ethnic groups.
As a percentage, there are more children of color in the foster care system than in the general U.S. population. However, child abuse and neglect occur at about the same rate in all racial/ethnic groups.
| Race/Ethnicity | Out-of-home care population | General population |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 32% | 15% |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 41% | 61% |
| Hispanic | 18% | 17% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native (non-Hispanic) | 2% | 1% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic) | 1% | 3% |
| Unknown | 2% | n/a |
| 2 or more Races (non-Hispanic) | 3% | 4% |
Length of Stay:For the children in foster care on September 30, 2005, the average amount of time they had been in the system was 28.6 months. Half of those leaving care that year had been away from home for a year or longer. 54% of the young people leaving the system were reunified with their birth parents or primary caregivers.
Foster Homes:
In 2004, there was a total of 153,000 licensed/certified/approved kinship and non-relative foster homes nationwide. In 2005, 24% of youth living foster care were residing with their relatives.
In 2004, there was a total of 153,000 licensed/certified/approved kinship and non-relative foster homes nationwide. In 2005, 24% of youth living foster care were residing with their relatives.
Adoptions:In 2005, 60% of adopted children were adopted by their foster parent(s). The "foster parent" category excludes anyone identified as a relative of the child. 25% of children adopted in FY 2005 were adopted by a relative. A "relative" includes a step-parent or other relative of the child.
Siblings and Extended Families:
Youth in Transition:
Each year, an estimated 20,000 young people "age out" of the U.S. foster care system. Many are only 18 years old and still need support and services. Several foster care alumni studies show that without a lifelong connection to a caring adult, these older youth are often left vulnerable to a host of adverse situations:
Each year, an estimated 20,000 young people "age out" of the U.S. foster care system. Many are only 18 years old and still need support and services. Several foster care alumni studies show that without a lifelong connection to a caring adult, these older youth are often left vulnerable to a host of adverse situations:
| Outcomes during transition from care to adulthood | National data | Regional or Local data |
| Earned a high school diploma | 54% | 50% - 63% |
| Obtained a Bachelor's degree or higher | 2% | 2% |
| Became a parent | 84% | 42% |
| Were unemployed | 51% | 30% |
| Had no health insurance | 30% | 29% |
| Had been homeless | 25% | 36% |
| Were receiving public assistance | 30% | 26% |
After viewing that data, what do you conclude?
Boys are more likely to stay in the foster care system than girls.
Siblings are more likely to be placed in separate homes.
Black and brown boys are less likely to be adopted.
Keep that with you. Do something about it. Ask your principal. Remember Vanessa from the YouTube clip above.
Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.
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