Federal law requires DFPS to have a plan to ensure educational stability for a child in substitute care. A child’s initial placement into substitute care, and any subsequent placement changes, must take into account the appropriateness of the child’s educational setting and the proximity to the school the child is enrolled in at the time of the placement or placement change. DFPS must coordinate with local schools and school districts to ensure that the child remains in the same school the child was attending at the time of the initial placement or any subsequent placement change, unless it is not in the child’s best interests to remain in that school.

Fostering Connections 42 U.S.C. 675External Link

If the child must change schools, the child must be enrolled within two days in an appropriate school in the same school district, if possible, or in the school most able to meet the child’s needs.

If the child changes schools, DFPS ensures all of the child’s records are provided to the new school within 30 days.

Texas Education Code §25.002(g)External Link

State law supports education stability by allowing a child or youth enrolled in primary or secondary public school and placed outside the school attendance zone or outside the school district to continue to attend the school the child was enrolled in at the time of the original placement, or any subsequent placements, unless it is not in the child’s best interest to remain in the same school. The student may attend the school without payment of tuition until he or she completes the highest grade offered at the school at the time of the student’s enrollment. The student is entitled to continue to attend the school regardless of whether the student remains in the conservatorship of the department for the duration of the student’s enrollment in the school.

Texas Education Code §25.001(g) and (g-1)External Link