Tracking College-to-Career Pathways for Illinois Foster Youth. Thought Papers Series. Vol. 1, Issue 2

Office of Community College Research and Leadership. 51 Gerty Drive Room 129, Champaign, IL 61820. Tel: 217-244-9390; Fax: 217-244-0851; e-mail: occri@uiuc.edu; Web site: http://occrl.illinois.edu

N

11

National Science Foundation (NSF)

1625918

Foster Care; Vocational Education; Access to Education; Admission (School); Educational Attainment; At Risk Students; Student Needs; Enrollment; Academic Persistence; Graduation; Postsecondary Education; Federal Legislation; Educational Legislation; Barriers; Program Effectiveness; Leadership Responsibility; Student Recruitment; Data Collection

In Illinois, there are more than 21,000 children and youth in foster care. Approximately 26% of these individuals are 13 and older (Illinois Department of Children & Family Services [IDCFS] 2021). Although career and technical education (CTE) programs are offered at both secondary and postsecondary educational levels, little to no data about current and former foster youths' CTE program matriculation and attainment is available. Considering that foster youth are identified as a disadvantaged population under Perkins V, it is imperative to address the need for: (1) an increased awareness of and access to CTE programs among foster youth; and (2) systematic tracking of Illinois foster youths' enrollment, retention, and graduation from CTE programs at the postsecondary educational level. This brief highlights two sections within the Perkins V Act: Section 7, Definitions, which recognizes current and former foster youth as a special population; and Section 112, Accountability, which provides an overview of the state and local reporting requirements relative to CTE program outcomes for identified special populations. The brief then provides recommendations to improve statewide tracking of foster youths' postsecondary educational attempts and attainment in Illinois CTE programs.

ERIC

2021

ED616278