NYS and the Federal government have recognized the unique needs of children in foster care by providing guidance and enacting laws to increase educational stability and improve the educational outcomes achieved. The state and federal laws and guidance clarify the joint responsibilities of education and child welfare agencies to continually collaborate so that the provisions are successfully implemented and students in foster care achieve educational stability.

NYSED Student Support Services - Foster Care Webpage 
NYSED Guidance on legislation passed as a part of the 2018-19 budget (Part CC of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2018) to adopt in state law certain requirements of Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) as amended by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of December 2015 and clarify the requirements for school districts and charter schools, local educational agencies and local departments of social services.  NYSED in collaboration with the Office of Children and Family Services has developed guidance and resources to assist school districts and LDSS in meeting the new requirements for ensuring educational stability for students in foster care. 

Guidance and resources which may be accessed on NYSED Foster Care webpage below:

• Revised Students in Foster Care Toolkit Memo (NYSED 1/22)
• NYSED Memo: Educational Stability of Students in Foster Care New Law and Guidance Toolkit (NYSED 8/18)
• US Department of Education Memo: Non-Regulatory Guidance: Ensuring Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care (USDE 6/16)

See also:

• NYSCSH Foster Care Resource Page 

Page Updated 3/3/22