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Catoosa County Public Schools

A Georgia Charter System

Title I, Part A-Foster Care Provisions

Title I, Part A-Foster Care Provisions Overview

The Foster Care Program focuses on school access, improved educational outcomes, and enhanced academic stability for children and youth in foster care. The provisions derived from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) establish guidelines for recognizing and addressing the unique needs of foster care children and youth. The Foster Care Program has the responsibility of working closely with local child welfare agencies and local educational agencies to identify children and youth in foster care and to ensure the successful implementation of ESSA provisions.​​​​​​ 

 

Foster Care Provision Requirements

 

 


  • The Georgia Department of Education (Department) is required to ensure the educational stability of children in foster care. (ESEA section 1111(g)(1)(E)). In coordination with state and tribal child welfare agencies, the Department must ensure that its LEAs implement the Title I educational stability requirements for children in foster care. Additionally, the SEA must conduct regular monitoring and oversight to guarantee appropriate implementation of these provisions at the local level.

    • School of Origin: Students entering foster care or changing placements must remain in their current school of origin unless a multi-agency best-interest determination shows that moving is better for the child.
    • Immediate Enrollment: If a change of school is in the student's best interest, the new school must enroll the student immediately—even if medical, academic, or other records are missing.
    • Transportation: Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) must collaborate with child welfare agencies to develop and fund clear procedures for providing transportation to and from the school of origin.
    • Points of Contact: Every school district and State Educational Agency (SEA) must designate a Foster Care Point of Contact to coordinate with local child welfare agencies.
    • Data Disaggregation: States and districts must track and report academic achievement and graduation rates specifically for students in foster care.

  • Gina Haynes

    Director of Federal Programs/Director of Elementary

    CATOOSA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS