Ensuring Foster Youth Get Quality Education BY CHARLICE BYRD
As we continue to discuss burdens children in foster care face, let’s focus on the challenge of graduating from publicschool systems. According to Together We Rise, 50% of foster children graduate from high school by their 18th birthday. Changing placements frequently while enrolled in school, class credits not transfering from one school to another, lack of interest in school by youth, and lack of involvement by adults at home are what make it more difficult for foster youth to obtain a high school diploma. The pandemic, however, resulted in a re-evaluation of what school looks like for all students. For foster students who live in congregate care (such as group homes), staff became teachers, like parents at home. Staff shifted duties, turning attention to ensuring assignments were completed in a timely manner and the foster youth were on task. The North Georgia Angel House in Canton discovered, for the first time in 15 years, students thrived academically. Grades improved dramatically, academic suspensions were nonexistent and 100% of their seniors graduated on time. Much of this success was attributed to students being able to work at their own pace and be excused when they completed what was required each day. Cherokee County School District (CCSD) is working
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to transform the district into one that works for today’s students. The iGrad Virtual Academy, using Edgenuity online curriculum, is a perfect example of meeting students where they are and helping improve their chances of graduating. “CCSD and our partners, like North Georgia Angel House, have worked to create avenues for student success, such as innovative opportunities in digital learning, both at our students’ home schools and in our new iGrad Academy,” said CCSD Chief Operations Officer Debra Murdock. This virtual platform will give youth a digital experience, with the benefit of a drop-in center for additional help. For many students who work, and are self-motivated, this opportunity is a great way to increase graduation rates. I want to thank Murdock, Superintendent of Schools Brian Hightower and the hardworking educators throughout CCSD. We are fortunate to have dedicated people who look at innovative ways to help all of our students succeed.
Rep. Charlice Byrd represents District 20 in the Georgia House of Representatives. charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov
