Thomas Lovitt’s research while affiliated with University of Washington and other places

This article is about children in foster care and their educational problems. We define those children and present statistics as to their numbers, ages, and types of placements. We then make a case that too few individuals have listened to the voices of children in foster care or are aware of the many barriers they face. Next, we present statistics to show that they have been an overlooked group and offer reasons to account for their problems in schools. We then offer 24 ways in which teachers and other school personnel can assist these youngsters while they are in school. Throughout the article we provide comments of youths who were in foster care about their past circumstances and future aspirations, most of which are related to schools and education.

The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of teachers and other school personnel to the difficulties of many foster children. More specifically, we intend to alert them to the problems these youngsters have while they are in school and once they have left. Moreover, we intend to apprise educators of the fact that large numbers of foster children are receiving, or should be receiving, special services.