How do foster children placed in long-term family foster care experience school?

Abstract

Background: Foster children often experience school problems and perform less well than average. This may result in failed school careers and compromised future career paths. Nonetheless, few studies have focused on the perspective of foster children regarding education. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 foster children (M = 14 years, range = 12–18 years) placed in long-term family foster care about their experiences regarding “school.” Results: A thematic analysis distinguished four main themes: (1) the importance of school for foster children; (2) the impact of the foster care placement on the school performance (3) support foster children receive with regard to their functioning and performance at school; and (4) the fear of stigmatization. Discussion: Foster children attach a great importance to school and receive support from different persons. Yet, many foster children are confronted with school difficulties, such as bullying, hindered concentration, and negative reactions to being placed in foster care. Interventions should be developed to support this group and improve their performances. Furthermore, actors who get in touch with foster children should be better acquainted with foster care.

Academic Functioning of Gifted Students in Foster Care

“…Both the schools and facility tutors perceive the students through their behavioral difficulties and do not pay sufficient attention to the development of their talents. Some researchers (Van Holen et al, 2021) have drawn attention to the fact that people working with children from foster care should be better acquainted with the problems posed by the stay of a child in foster care in order to undertake activities that support the educational process of those children. They should also be educated in the area of psychosocial development in order to be able to better support the students in developing their talents (Cross T., Cross J., 2017).…”

Strategie wspierania zdolnych podopiecznych pieczy zastępczej

“…Józefina Hrynkiewicz (2006). Co za tym idzie, niektórzy badacze (Van Holen et al, 2021;Ruszkowska, 2022) zwracają uwagę na fakt, iż osoby pracujące z dziećmi ze środowisk zastępczych (w tym również nauczyciele) powinny być lepiej zaznajomione z problemami, jakie niesie za sobą pobyt dziecka w pieczy zastępczej, aby podejmować działania wspierające proces edukacyjny tych wychowanków.…”

‘It hurts to give up on a child who has already been given up’: School counsellors' perspectives on their support for children in foster care

“…Foster carers often must assist children in adjusting and integrating into a new school, which can be challenging for foster children (Beck et al, 2018). Foster children are likely to be rejected, bullied or ridiculed by their peers and may face unpleasant reactions or questioning from educational staff or peers (Van Holen et al, 2021). As a result, some children may prefer to hide details about their background in order to integrate socially and avoid exclusion (Johnson et al, 2020).…”