Analysis on Educational Inequities for Children in the U.S. Foster Care System
Open Access
- Author:
- Brown, Madeline
- Area of Honors:
- Social Justice in Education
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Ashley Nichol Patterson, Thesis Supervisor
Ashley Nichol Patterson, Thesis Honors Advisor
Efraín Marimón, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- foster care
educational inequities
social justice
educational equity
foster care to prison pipeline
school to prison pipeline
child welfare
united states foster care
education reform - Abstract:
- Many children and young adults who experience the foster care system face a plethora of difficulties; these often come from embedded structural inequities. Education has been found to a vital component of a child’s future and access to a comprehensive and safe education is associated with numerous positive consequences. Children and young adults in the foster care often do not have access to adequate education due to structural inequities. The goal of this analysis is to explore the various inequities for those in the foster care system from the beginning of child welfare programs in the United States until now. Additionally, it examines why these inequities exist, what solutions exist, and what needs to be done to further addresses these inequities. The primary methods were research through Google Scholar, JSTOR, and first-hand sources to compile an extensive report on the lack of access to resources for those in foster care along with solutions and a call to action. Through this research, it was found that there is an intense racial disparity in the foster care system as a result of systemic inequities; these are perpetuated in the education system for many children. Additionally, many policies and current practices neglect to educate teachers, provide enough supplies, and address lack of familial care for children in the foster care system. Researched solutions and proposed strategies in this thesis promote inclusivity, mentorship, increasing funding, policy changes, and equitable practices.