What back-to-school season reveals about youth in foster care — and the attendance crisis.
By Gaile Osborne, Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina
Posted on October 21, 2025 in Youth Today
Back-to-school season is supposed to mean excitement: new teachers, new goals and the comfort of reuniting with classmates. But for too many foster youth, it means stepping into yet another unfamiliar classroom — often after being moved to a new placement.
These frequent school changes aren’t just inconvenient. They compound one of the biggest challenges facing schools and youth programs today: chronic absenteeism. Across the country, student attendance has yet to recover from the pandemic, and foster youth — already among the most mobile and vulnerable students — are at even greater risk of falling behind.
Nationally, children in foster care are more likely to miss school, repeat a grade and ultimately drop out compared to their peers. Each move disrupts academics and weakens connections to peers and mentors. And the instability that starts in child welfare echoes across education, mental health and long-term opportunity.
Take the experience of Nita Nwakuche who spent her childhood in foster care and moved more than 18 times before turning 19. Each move meant another new school, another set of teachers who didn’t know her story and another chance to slip further behind. Nita didn’t just need notebooks and pencils — she needed stability and a coordinated network of adults who could help her stay connected to school.
That’s where youth development professionals come in. Connections matter. A National Institute of Health study found that foster youth who stayed in the same school after a placement change were more likely to succeed academically. Caregivers who are trained to navigate education systems can advocate effectively for their children. Out-of-school time providers who understand the unique stressors of foster youth can create safe spaces where belonging and confidence grow.
Schools alone cannot solve chronic absenteeism. Neither can child welfare agencies or foster parents on their own. Nor can out-of-school time programs. But together — with intentional collaboration — professionals across systems can make a measurable difference.
Read the full article HERE
