Age Requirements 

Children aged five or older by September 1 are required by DCFS policy to be enrolled in school. Every child in foster care, at a minimum, is expected to be enrolled in school or training until he or she graduates or reaches age 18. Special educational services are available until the child reaches age 22, if necessary. (Students may, by law, attend school until age 21 or until they receive a diploma.) 

Enrollment Deadlines 

Caregivers must enroll a child in school as soon as possible after placement or within two days after placement. If the child is not attending school within two days, caregivers must ask the caseworker for help on, or before, the third day following placement. If the caseworker cannot enroll the child by the fifth day after placement, he or she is expected to notify their education advisor or liaison.

School Choice 

Usually a child will attend the caregiver’s local neighborhood public school, but not always. For those school districts that offer school choice, the caregiver and caseworker team should make choices based upon the best educational and personal interests of the child. In the case of disagreement over school attendance, the caseworker has the responsibility for determining best educational interests of the child.

Moving Outside the District — Remaining in the Current School 

Caseworkers may decide, after careful study, that it is in the child’s best interest to remain in the same school after moving outside the school district. For example: The caseworker of a 17-year-old may decide to keep the student in the same high school and neighborhood where he has lived his whole life to give him a greater chance of graduating.

Tuition 

Under the School Code, if the caseworker and DCFS determine that continuing the child’s current school is in her best interest, the school district cannot charge the tuition normally charged to children who do not reside in the district.

Transportation 

If the caregiver/caseworker team determine that the child should remain at the current school, the caseworker should ask the school district to provide transportation. Unfortunately, the School Code does not require the school district to provide transportation in these cases. Therefore, if the school district refuses to transport, the caseworker must work with you to arrange transportation. The decision of the school district is not subject to appeal.

Implications for Caregivers: Clarify which school the child will be attending and the transportation arrangements with the caseworker prior to placement. Work to encourage a team approach with the caseworker for educational decision making.

Private Schools 

Students who may be eligible for scholarships, and want to attend private grade or high schools, should discuss their desire with the caseworker. Caregivers who are interested in a child attending a private school through a scholarship or by paying tuition themselves on behalf of the child should consult with the caseworker. DCFS does not pay private school tuition, uniform costs, or transportation to and from school. If the caregiver wishes to enroll a child in a religious-based school, consent by the parent for religious instruction must be obtained on the appropriate DCFS form.

Home Schooling 

Children in foster care generally may not be home schooled.

Section 6, Page 13