Work

Secondary and Postsecondary Education Outcomes of Students with Experience in Foster Care: Systematic Review of the Literature From 2000–2023

Year: 2025

Type: review

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.

Source: AERA Open

DOI: 10.1177/23328584251331454

Authors: Nathanael J. Okpych, Kenyon Whitman, Jane Lee, Liz Neria-Piña, Lisa A. Jackson, Maddy Day

Institutions: University of Connecticut, University of Nevada, Reno, Oklahoma State University, Florida State University

Language: English

Topic: Child Welfare and Adoption

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,000