School Transitions
Educational Advocacy
If your foster youth moves to a new foster home, they may also need to move to a new school. When possible, the youth’s support team will try to keep them in the same school, called the School of Origin (SOO). The ERH and CASA can play a key role in guiding a school transition decision that reflects the youth’s voice and is in the youth’s best interest.
The ERH is the decision maker for school change decisions. This worksheet can guide a determination of whether a youth should remain in the school of origin or should transfer to a new school, and what plans are needed to ensure continuous school enrollment.
If the ERH decides that the youth will remain in their School of Origin (SOO), this Transportation Flowchart helps to make needed transportation plans.
Sometimes it is in the youth’s best interest to transition to a new school. Data shows that each school change for a foster youth results in 4-6 months of lost learning. ERHs and CASAs can play a vital role in helping school transition be smooth and positive, and avoid extensive loss of learning.
Questions to ask the prior school district:
What is the district partial credit policy? (see Partial Credit Calculator below)
Does partial credit reflect grades prior to the student’s absence?
Do grades reflect enrollment rather than attendance?
Questions to ask the new school district:
What is the district enrollment process?
What is the district record collection process?
What is the most important record needed to enroll the student immediately?
Please use the forms below to support the youth’s immediate enrollment at their new school (an important foster youth right that is often violated):
The ERH should request all education records from the previous school. CASAs should support the ERH and team with the education records request as appropriate.
Schools are required to award partial credit to students who transition in the middle of a grading period. CASAs and ERHs can support accurate credit to be given for the student with the Partial Credit Calculator.
The ERH should complete and send the Education Intake form to the new school (or district). CASAs should support the ERH and team with the Education Intake Form as appropriate.
Use this form as a last recourse if the school district (previous or current) are violating the foster youth’s rights, and/or not meeting their legally required responsibilities.
It’s important to advocate for the rights of Foster youth in the school transition process. The right to immediate enrollment and support of existing IEPs are outlined in a piece of legislation called AB 490. Learn more about AB 490 with the resources below:
If your youth has an IEP or special education needs, they are entitled to have their special needs met from the moment they transition to the new school. To learn more about IEPs and Special Education resources, visit our IEPs and Special Education page.
Each time your youth transitions to a new school, please refer back to the Start of the School Year Checklist to make sure your youth is adequately prepared.
No matter how involved you are with the process, please familiarize yourself with these tips and be sure to communicate regularly with your youth’s foster parents and social worker throughout the transition process.
Reach out to the school administration several weeks in advance of the move to ensure that they have the documents they need from the previous school. If they do not, follow up with each until the transfer has happened.
Reach out to any teachers your youth may have to introduce yourself and provide any relevant information.
Arrange a visit for the youth before their first day. This allows them to see their classroom, cafeteria, playground, etc. The student can meet their teacher(s) and other support staff. This can help assuage any anxiety or nervousness they may have about the new school year.
Try to set up an opportunity to meet classmates. This could mean stopping by a club meeting or class event. The administration or PTA may have suggestions for appropriate occasions.
Ensure the youth is clear about their new routine. Collaborate with their caregivers to make this transition as smooth as possible.
Record important contact info: names, phone numbers, and email addresses of essential school staff.
Familiarize yourself with the school calendar and how communication of important information is relayed (e.g. via phone, email, newsletters, and slips in students’ backpacks). Sign up for any relevant email lists.
Explore the youth’s interests and extracurricular activities the school may offer. This could be sports teams, academic clubs, and/or arts programs. There is financial support for such activities. Check with your Case Supervisor!
Encourage maintaining contact with their friends from their other school. Ask them who they want to keep in touch with and how they plan to do so. Work with their caregivers social worker to help support these connections.
It is normal to be concerned about the transition, but let your youth know that you have confidence in them. Listen to and address your youth’s concerns, but stay optimistic about the change and your youth’s ability to adjust.
Additional resources:
SFUSD Getting Started with Enrollment: Learn more about the enrollment process and various SFUSD schools that your youth may be transferred to.
SFUSD Key Enrollment Dates: Enrollment and other important dates around involvements in SFUSD schools. Keep aware of these if you sense your youth might be transferred to a new school to make sure they are on track for enrolling. .
Expanding Partial Credit for Highly Mobile Youth Under SB532: This webinar covers the key changes that came out of SB 532, which went into effect on January 1, 2023. Updates to the law provide clarification about when graduation options are available and expand on the ways that partial credits can be determined, creating more equity for highly mobile youth.