By Susan Frey, EdSource Today/New America Media
Under the new school finance system, the state will soon be sending districts lists of their foster students so schools can direct more resources to them. Although the students will benefit, they fear their personal lives may be widely exposed and they may be stigmatized if educators do not handle the information sensitively.
“Foster kids are very nervous about this,” said Michael Paynter, the Foster Youth Services liaison for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. “They don’t want to be called out in public or identified in a way where they aren’t choosing the moment. We need some sensitivity training around the release of these lists.”
The new finance system requires districts to come up with Local Control and Accountability Plans that explain how they will use the extra funds they are receiving for low-income students, English learners and foster students to improve their academic achievement. For foster students, that could mean more mental health counseling or tutoring services, or help with college applications and financial aid.
Read the complete story at New America Media.