Foster Care Success Act Annual Evaluation Report (2023-24)

Abstract

The Foster Care Success Act (House Bill 22-1374) provides funds to both the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to improve the educational attainment of students in out-of-home placement. The Act requires CDE to identify specific goals for its Foster Care Education Program (FCEP) to achieve this aim, as well as to report to the Colorado State Board of Education, the Colorado General Assembly, and the public on annual improvement in the educational attainment of youth in foster care. The goals to be specified by CDE fall into three categories: (1) Identification of students in out-of-home placement enrolled in Colorado schools; (2) Tracking outcomes related to student success and educational attainment; and (3) Local service delivery to support educational attainment. This is the third year CDE is reporting on outcomes related to student success and educational attainment. Each year, data are reported from the previous three years when available, allowing examination of trends across time. This report is intended to meet the statutory reporting requirements outlined in House Bill 22-1374 through the analysis of state and student-level information annually submitted to CDE and the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) by schools, districts and county offices.