Washington’s on-time graduation rate is 73 percent for the class of 2008-09. But for at-risk students, the data shows a much more challenging picture. Only 63 percent of low-income students and 51 percent of English Language Learners graduate on-time. The group with the lowest rate (43 percent) also seems to get the least amount of attention and support — that’s our foster youth.
A new report by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy shows foster youth have the highest annual dropout rate at 12 percent–more than double the average rate for all students (5 percent).
The report cites additional challenges as reasons why foster youth have lower graduation rates and higher dropout rates than other students. Nearly half changed schools at least once during the school year, compared to only 13 percent for all students. And foster youth are more likely to be in one or more at-risk groups.
In the last five years, more programs have been developed or expanded to assist foster youth. They may be a reason why graduation rates have increased 12 percent since the 2006-07 school year.
Several new opportunities are available to help foster youth attend college such as the Passport for Foster Youth Promise Program. The program provides financial assistance and specialized guidance from college staff to help foster youth succeed in higher education.
