Foster Youth Education Rights (E.C. 48853)

The law ensures foster youth have access to the same academic resources, services, extracurricular and enrichment activities available to all students.  The law promotes school stability, immediate enrollment, timely transfer of records, and protection for grades and credits.

For more information, please see:

California Foster Youth Education Law Fact Sheet
AB 490 Summary

District Graduation Requirement Waiver for Foster Youth (E.C. 51225.3) 

Foster youth my be eligible to be exempt from having to meet additional district graduation requirements and instead, can earn a diploma by meeting California state minimum graduation requirements.

Graduation Waiver Template    |    Graduation Waiver Flowchart

Partial Credits (E.C. 51225.2)

Districts are required to award partial or full credits when a homeless pupil transfers schools for courses completed.

Partial Credits Ed Code | Partial Credits Handout

Suspension and Expulsion Notifications (E.C. 48853.5, 48911, 48915.5, 48918.1) 

Districts are required to notify the appropriate representative of the county child welfare agency, the child's attorney, and the child's education rights holder of any suspension or recommendation of expulsion of a child in foster care. Follow the flowchart for the correct notification procedure:

Fresno County AB1909 Notification Flowchart

Advocacy

There are many local and statewide resources available to help provide advocacy and support to foster youth.

California Youth Connection
Foster Ed Connect
National Law Center for Children and Families
Youth Law Center
Foster Care State Ombudsman
New Foster Care Transition Toolkit