Educational Champion Training MODULE 4: Education Records and Credits © National Center for Youth...
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Transcript of Educational Champion Training MODULE 4: Education Records and Credits © National Center for Youth...
Educational Champion Training
MODULE 4:
Education Records and Credits
© National Center for Youth Law, April 2013. This document does not constitute legal advice or representation. For legal advice, readers should
consult their own counsel. This document may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided any reproduction is accompanied by an
acknowledgement. All other rights reserved.
1
APRIL 2013 2
Why Focus on Education Records and Credits?
Monitoring a child’s progress in school is a crucial component of
supporting the child’s academic success.
Monitoring progress requires knowing how to access, review, and
understand school records.
Child in foster care often encounters changes in school
placement, problems with the timely/complete transfer of school
records, and improper accounting of their course credits. This
causes them to fall behind their peers academically and increase
drop-out rates.
APRIL 2013 3
Reviewing school records and report cards is an important part of supporting the child’s education.
Reviewing records and report cards will help you:
Learn about the child’s past school experiences,
Stay up-to-date on the child’s school progress,
Understand the child’s academic strengths,
Spot any areas in which the child might need help, and
Show the child that you think his/her education is important.
APRIL 2013 4
Review the child’s school records.
If you don’t already have copies of the child’s school
records, ask the school to provide copies or set up a
time to review the records at the school. You must
request these in writing.
When you review the records, make a note of anything
that you don’t understand or have questions about.
Keep your copies of the child’s school records in a safe
place.
APRIL 2013 5
Review the child’s report cards and reports the school provides.
Let the school know that you want to receive copies of all report
cards and other school reports. You must request these in
writing.
Always make time to talk to the child about report cards and
progress reports.
Keep all school records in a safe place where you can find them
easily.
Access the child’s grades, attendance records, and other
information through the school’s online portal.
APRIL 2013 6
If you have questions about anything in the child’s school records, don’t be afraid to ask.
If you are the child’s ed rights holder:
If there is something in the child’s school records that you
don’t understand, contact the child’s teacher or school staff.
If you are concerned about the child’s grades or progress, ask
the teacher if you can set up a time to meet or talk by phone.
If you believe that something in the child’s school record is
inaccurate, misleading, or an invasion of privacy, you can
challenge the record by making a written request to the district
superintendent.
APRIL 2013 7
Additional thoughts if you don’t hold ed rights.
If you don’t hold education rights for the
child, reach out to the person who does to let
him/her know that you’re interested in
reviewing the child’s records and speaking
with the child’s teacher.
If the education rights holder is the child’s
birth parent, check with the social worker for
the best way to do this.
APRIL 2013 8
If the child moves to a new school placement.
Check with the school to make sure that:
The child’s records are sent to the new school, and
The child is given credit for full or partial coursework
completed.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the
school district’s foster youth liaison.
If the issue isn’t resolved right away, the child’s
attorney can also help.
APRIL 2013 9
If the youth is in high school or will be starting high school soon.
Help the youth review the school’s graduation
requirements to make sure s/he is on track to
meet these requirements.
Talk to the youth about what classes to take.
Encourage the youth to talk to a school counselor
or academic advisor about graduation
requirements and course options
APRIL 2013 10
Consider getting input from other adults involved in the child’s life.
Especially if the child does not live with you, you
may want to ask other adults in the child’s life for
support and feedback in making education-related
decisions.
APRIL 2013 11
My Goals:
What I will do: How often I will do this:
__________________ ___________________
__________________ ___________________
__________________ ___________________
__________________ ___________________
__________________ ___________________
__________________ ___________________
APRIL 2013 12
Resources.
This PowerPoint, Tip Sheets, Mentoring Modules, and supporting materials can be found at:
www.foster-ed.org.
If you have questions about the materials, please contact: [email protected].
Other Resources:
AB 167 and AB 490 Factsheets, written by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force,
available at www.cfyetf.org/
AB 167: FAQs, written by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force, available at
www.cfyetf.org/
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About AB 490, written by the California Foster Youth
Education Task Force, available at www.cfyetf.org/
Credit Transfer and School Completion Q&A, written by the ABA’s Legal Center for Foster Care &
Education
High School Graduation Requirements, available at www.cde.ca.gov