Sen. Al Franken expected to amend No Child Left Behind to benefit foster care kids
WASHINGTON, October 18, 2011— Sen. Al Franken, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, is expected to introduce an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) - aka No Child Left Behind - this Thursday, October 19. The amendment will focus on improving the educational achievements of children in foster care. If that amendment is adopted, it will be the first legislative focus on the K-12 foster care students.
Tomorrow is also the beginning of what could turn out to be an historic hearing on the Hill, one that zeroes in on the very unique and real issues facing foster care children in the education system in America.
Foster students face myriad challenges. One significant issue is the lack of continuity in their education as they are forced to change schools, sometimes dozen of times, based upon where the location of their foster care family. Research has shown that childhood trauma, placement instability and other factors leave many students in foster care far behind their peers in academic measures.
To highlight the importance of education's role in the success of foster children, The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) and Fostering Media Connections (FMC) have organized a “National Conversation” with teachers, students and researchers from around the country who will share stories and strategies aimed at improving educational outcomes for students in foster care.
Also participating in this live event will be policy makers such as Sen. Mary Landrieu and Sen. Chuck Grassley, Co-Chairs of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, Rep. Karen Bass and George Sheldon, Acting Assistant Secretary Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The webcast will be live from 3:00 p.m.–until 4:40 p.m. EST at the Fostering Media Connections web site.
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