Secondary and Postsecondary Education Outcomes of Students with Experience in Foster Care: Systematic Review of the Literature from 2000-2023
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| Title: | Secondary and Postsecondary Education Outcomes of Students with Experience in Foster Care: Systematic Review of the Literature from 2000-2023 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Nathanael J. Okpych (ORCID |
| Source: | AERA Open. 2025 11(1). |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 23 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses |
| Education Level: | Secondary Education Higher Education Postsecondary Education Adult Education High Schools High School Equivalency Programs Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foster Care, Secondary School Students, Literature Reviews, Graduation Rate, College Enrollment, High School Equivalency Programs, Outcomes of Education, Race, Disproportionate Representation, Barriers, Educational Legislation, Parent Rights, Student Records, Privacy, Federal Legislation, Elementary Secondary Education, Ethnicity, Racial Differences |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: | Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 1974, Every Student Succeeds Act 2015 |
| ISSN: | 2332-8584 |
| Abstract: | Students who experience foster care (SEFC) remain some of the most educationally marginalized youth in the United States. However, rates of secondary and postsecondary outcomes vary widely across studies, limiting the ability to inform policy. At present, there is no definitive publication that reports secondary and postsecondary education rates based on best available evidence. The goal of this study is to fill this gap by reviewing methodologically sound studies with SEFC. We conducted a systematic review of publications between 2000 and 2023. A total of 17 publications met our six inclusion criteria. Most findings came from regional rather than national studies. The high school/General Educational Development (GED) completion rate ranged from 69% to 85%, the postsecondary enrollment rate ranged from 29% to 64%, and the postsecondary degree completion rate ranged from 8% to 12%. Only three publications reported differences by race, which is an area in need of attention in future studies. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1494860 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Students who experience foster care (SEFC) remain some of the most educationally marginalized youth in the United States. However, rates of secondary and postsecondary outcomes vary widely across studies, limiting the ability to inform policy. At present, there is no definitive publication that reports secondary and postsecondary education rates based on best available evidence. The goal of this study is to fill this gap by reviewing methodologically sound studies with SEFC. We conducted a systematic review of publications between 2000 and 2023. A total of 17 publications met our six inclusion criteria. Most findings came from regional rather than national studies. The high school/General Educational Development (GED) completion rate ranged from 69% to 85%, the postsecondary enrollment rate ranged from 29% to 64%, and the postsecondary degree completion rate ranged from 8% to 12%. Only three publications reported differences by race, which is an area in need of attention in future studies. |
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| ISSN: | 2332-8584 |
