CPS staff must take into account how any proposed placement (initial or subsequent) will affect the child or youth’s educational stability. CPS staff must try to keep a child or youth in his or her school of origin upon coming into care and try to avoid educational moves once the child has come into care.

A child or youth enrolled in a primary or secondary public school and placed outside the school attendance zone can continue to attend the school the child or youth was enrolled in at the time of the placement, unless it is not in the child or youth’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 the school offered at the time of the student’s enrollment. The student can continue to attend the school even if the student leaves DFPS conservatorship.

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

The caseworker must always try to keep a child or youth in the school of origin even if the new placement is in a different school district, unless it is not in the best interests of the child or youth to remain in the same school. DFPS contacts the school district foster care liaison to obtain input about what is in the child’s best interests.

The caseworker must seek the assistance of the regional education specialist or the school district liaison for issues with enrollment and transfer of children or youth in foster care.