STANDARDIZED NOTICE OF EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS FOR FOSTER YOUTH and HOMELESS YOUTH

(California Education Code §§ 48850–48853.5, 48911, 48915.5, 49069.5, 49076, 51225.1, and 51225.2)

Issued By: California Department of Education
Applies To: Foster children and youth enrolled in California public schools

NOTICE OF EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS

California law provides foster youth with specific educational protections and rights to support school stability, academic success, equal access, and fair treatment.

A foster youth includes a child or youth who is:

• Removed from their home under the Welfare and Institutions Code,
• Subject to a juvenile court petition,
• In voluntary foster placement, or
• A dependent child of a tribal court.

This notice summarizes important educational rights available under California law.

1. RIGHT TO SCHOOL STABILITY

You have the right to remain in your school of origin if it is in your best interest, even when your placement changes.

Your school of origin may include:

• The school you attended when permanently housed,
• The school in which you were last enrolled, or
• Another school you attended within the previous 15 months with which you have a connection.

You may remain in your school of origin:

• For the duration of the court’s jurisdiction,
• Through the end of the school year if court jurisdiction ends while you are in grades K–8,
• Through high school graduation if jurisdiction ends while you are in high school.

Transportation assistance may be available.

2. RIGHT TO IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT

You have the right to enroll in school immediately, even if you do not have:

• Academic records,
• Immunization records,
• Proof of residency,
• School uniforms,
• Birth certificates, or
• Other normally required documents.

Schools must enroll foster youth without delay.

3. RIGHT TO PARTIAL CREDITS

If you transfer schools, you have the right to receive full or partial credit for coursework completed at another public school, juvenile court school, charter school, or nonpublic school.

Schools may not require you to retake classes you already completed satisfactorily.

4. RIGHT TO GRADUATION PROTECTIONS

If you transfer schools after your second year of high school, you may qualify for exemption from certain local graduation requirements if you cannot reasonably complete them in time to graduate.

You have the right to:

• Receive notice of eligibility for graduation exemptions,
• Participate in a fifth year of high school when appropriate,
• Be informed how exemptions may affect college admissions.

5. RIGHT TO ACCESS SCHOOL PROGRAMS

You have the right to equal access to:

• Academic resources,
• Special education services,
• Extracurricular activities,
• Sports,
• Advanced Placement (AP) courses,
• Career and technical education,
• Tutoring,
• After-school programs, and
• College preparation opportunities.

You may not be denied participation because of foster care status.

6. RIGHT TO FAIR DISCIPLINE

You have the right to fair disciplinary procedures.

Your educational rights holder, attorney, county social worker, tribal social worker (if applicable), and others legally entitled to notice must receive:

• Suspension notices,
• Expulsion notices,
• Manifestation determination notices,
• Involuntary transfer notices, and
• Related disciplinary documents.

Schools are encouraged to use supportive interventions before exclusionary discipline whenever possible.

7. RIGHT TO EDUCATIONAL DECISION SUPPORT

Each local educational agency (LEA) must designate a Foster Youth Educational Liaison to help:

• Ensure proper school placement,
• Assist with enrollment and transfer,
• Facilitate transfer of records and credits,
• Support school stability and attendance.

You may contact your district Foster Youth Liaison for assistance.

8. RIGHT TO PRIVACY OF EDUCATION RECORDS

Your school records are confidential.

Schools may only release records as authorized by law, including to:

• Educational rights holders,
• Child welfare agencies,
• Courts,
• Attorneys,
• Tribal representatives when authorized.

9. RIGHT TO SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

If eligible, you have the right to receive special education services and supports under state and federal law.

A foster placement change does not eliminate your right to services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

10. RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT

If you believe your educational rights have been violated, you may file a complaint through your school district’s Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP).

Complaints may involve:

• Enrollment delays,
• Credit transfer issues,
• Denial of school stability,
• Graduation exemption violations,
• Discrimination,
• Failure to provide educational services.

To File a Complaint:

1. Contact your school principal or Foster Youth Liaison.
2. Submit a written complaint to your school district.
3. If unresolved, appeal to the California Department of Education.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Local Educational Agency Foster Youth Liaison

Name: Mr. Conradi
Phone: 619-263-9266
Email: [email protected]