ESSA Creates New Federal Rights for Foster Children to School Stability

In December 2015, President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).  ESSA amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  Two parts of the amended ESEA are particularly relevant to children in foster care: Title I, which now provides school stability rights for children in foster care, and Title IX, the McKinney-Vento statute.  Some of the changes to McKinney-Vento went into effect in October 2016.  The Title I changes related to foster care are effective December 10, 2016.  Additional information is posted under “Trial Resources – Education” on the CAFL site. Or you can click here to go directly to the ESSA information page.