The Plight of Foster Kids, Term Paper Example

Introduction

Foster kids are those children that are in the legal guardianship or custody of a state, county or private adoption or foster care agency, yet adoptive parents, in their own households, may care for these children, under short-term or long-term arrangement with the custodial agency. Different authors and groups have conducted research on past and present states of foster kids. Some of these studies attempt to address current issues concerning foster care. An example of a group that is involved in the evaluation of some of the issues affecting foster kids is the Foster Care Research Group (FCRG). This group was formed in the year 2000 and is involved in the study of adolescents and children under Foster care.

Psychosocial issues that affect the academic performance of foster children

McDonald (1997), focuses on the long-term impacts of foster care, and reviews some of the strategies that can be used to help this vulnerable group. His article is part of a larger research project. This involves all active participants in foster care including the government, previous foster care studies, and importance of family among many others. In addition, the book holds a study about how the socio-economic status plays a significant role in the development of a foster youth. The entire research from which the findings of this article are obtained are based on empirical studies and a little one-on-one interaction with selected foster kids. He concludes that foster kids are just like any other kids out there, and the bodies concerned are the ones to question for all the misfortunes that befall these kids. From the book, it is evident that the economic status of foster children is among the factors that have led to poor academic performance among many foster kids. The study reveals that children who had been discharged from foster family homes did better than children who were still in foster homes. This is attributed to the limited economic support provided for such children by their foster families. It is evident that children the debilitating effects of foster care normally leave such children unable to function properly. They also lack family support networks that can help them address some of the economic issues they face. Increased economic problems among such children limit their concentration in school resulting to poor performance.

Krebs and Pitcoff (2006) indicate that, despite attempts to take care of foster kids like other kids, there are problems that are normally experienced in terms of the foster kids forming stale cohabitation situations. These kids have also posed problems in forming social relationships with other members of the community and during parenting. This difficulty in forming proper social relationships is normally extended in school resulting to poor performance among such children. This study also indicates that, attempts by teachers to take care of foster children like other children have been difficult. This is because of the behavioral and social problems seen among such children. The authors argue that many foster kids have been released from foster care systems, without obtaining school degrees and strong family relationships. This study attributes the poor performance of foster children to foster care systems. This is because foster systems only concentrate on providing for the needs of such children and they do not examine their academic performance, as a way of preparing them for adult life. However, it reveals that main goal of foster care should be to prepare a child for adult life, by ensuring that the children are properly educated. The failures have been attributed the current practices and policies that have been misguided (Krebs & Pitcoff, 2006).

Social bonds and poor performance

Findings of Courtney (2004) are some of the most acknowledged sources on foster care obtained by thorough research on the educational side of foster care. Courtney’s findings indicate that foster kids are less likely to get A’s compared to their peers in school. The most attractive issue is his findings on educational, psycho-emotional, and behavioral outcomes in school. 79% of the foster kids nationally changed schools and 66% were once suspended. Therefore, it appears that youth undergoing foster care are not developing proper social bonds and are somehow acting out in social settings. The author brings out the actual picture of how constant movement of these foster kids has a negative impact on their education as indicated by the dropout cases. He further suggests that concerned parties must not only play a financial role to these kids, but they should also be worried about their conduct and take precaution against any form of deviant behavior.

Behavioral problems and poor performance in school

According to Finkelstein, Wamsely and Miranda, behavior problems among foster children led to poor performance because they contribute to aggression and withdrawal among such kids. The study links this to pre-placement trauma, which normally keeps the children from focusing on their schoolwork. It is evident that the behaviors depicted by such kids may also keep them from performing well because the also avoid social interactions with their peers. This happens in order to keep their foster status hidden. The trauma of foster care contributes to poor performance in school because trauma results to low self-esteem, low self-esteem and the feeling of abandonment among such children. The study shows that such behaviors result to impulsivity and aggression among such children, causing them to withdraw from class. Other than withdrawing from their class work, they develop poor peer relations and fail to concentrate on schoolwork. Some of the behaviors depicted by the children in school include ignoring teachers’ requests, talking back to teachers or acting violently towards other children (Finkelstein, Wamsley and Miranda, 2002).

Merindinger et al. (2002), state that psychosocial issues have contributed to success of emancipated foster youth. Furthermore, the analysis is inclined towards an academic angle and majors on those issues that contribute towards making the youth successful. This is broken down into five modules, but the two most significant ones here are II and III. Module II contains a review of all literature relating to college access and pathways for at-risk youth using national statistic. Module III contrasts former foster youth college attendance to the general population.

Mental health issues and poor performance

The Youth Advocacy Centre (2001) examines the benefits from the foster care programs once foster kids they quit the system. The study was based in New York, and it developed one of the most successful self-advocacy models in the city, mainly targeting foster kids. Such kids have been equipped with social and life preparation skills. To evaluate some of the issues affecting foster children, the Youth advocacy center split their study in two namely Casey National Alumni Study and Northwest Alumni Study. This was done to show that foster youth are experience mental health issues higher than their own peers. This was concluded after both case studies revealed that foster children tend to suffer from mental health issues. It established that the mental torture that may arise from neglect had an upper hand in the poor performance seen among many foster children.

Finkelstein, Wamsely and Miranda, indicate that many children in foster care nationally tend to perform poorly in school. Other than lagging behind in schoolwork, such kids are known for discipline and behavior problems. The study is based on interviews conducted among foster children and other adults, and attempts to examine how foster care affects a child’s education. Other than examining the effects of foster care on the child’s performance, the authors also attempt to come up with strategies that can be used to enhance better performance among foster children. From the study, it is evident that some of the factors that have hindered foster children from performing well in school are the roadblocks they face. Some of the roadblocks faced by the children are worries on caring for their siblings and maintaining ties with their biological parents. With such worries, foster kids are distracted from their schoolwork, and they cannot concentrate, therefore, leading to poor performance.

Organizational issues affecting academic performance of foster children

Increased distraction from school

More Research conducted by the Youth Advocacy Center (2004) examines some of the issues that affect foster children. The study contains five articles that have been integrated and covers a wide range of matters related to foster care. Some of the articles in the study include safety and stability for foster children. It is evident that the children also experience many distractions, for example, doctors’ appointments, and mandated courts appearances causing them to miss school many times. When children miss school many times, then they are likely not perform well compared to the rest who are ever in school. In this article, Behrman provides an analysis and recommendations that can be used in enhancing safety and stability among these children.

The lack of mentorship

Another research work that explores more on foster kids is by Tausig & Culhane (2011). This article shows that a nine-month training based on skills acquisition and talent development positively affected the children’s mental health. It was a study more inclined towards programmatic elements and support to the foster kids. The study reveals that the lack of mentorship for such kids has led to poor performance in school. This is because many foster parents or other persons who have the responsibility of foster care do not mentor these children on the importance of education. Instead, they only concentrate on the welfare on the children, for example, the provision of basic needs. Mentorship, in this case, appears to play a key role in molding the foster kids, and it even drives them towards desired career paths and goals. This strategy can be adopted by many foster care organizations.

In line with the above study, the US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention (1997) illustrate how adults who foster young people can influence their performance in school. It further indicates that even past 14 years of age, a child can still be mentored and equipped with positive outlooks. Provided a foster child is still ready and willing to be molded into a more responsible human being age becomes largely irrelevant.

Studies by the Youth Advocacy Center (2004) focus on poor performance among foster children from a developmental standpoint. The studies try to view foster care from a positive outlook. This is based on case studies on a few successful individuals who went through the same system. On the developmental part of it, the study portrays foster kids as the most vulnerable yet so valuable to society. It suggests that talents should be identified and nurtured in these children as most of them normally have undeveloped potential. The failure to nurture talent among such kids is among the factors that have caused them to perform poorly in their schoolwork. This study concludes by providing policy recommendations to foster care bodies to look into the issues addressed to ensure physical, emotional and even psychological comfort to these children.

Health and developmental issues

American Academy of Pediatrics (2000) studies shows that many children under foster care suffer from health and developmental issues. The article reviews developmental issues important for children. Findings indicate that abuse and neglect, placement on early foster care on early brain development, challenges in establishing attachment, and a child’s response to stress are important factors. From the studies, it is clear that developmental issues affecting such kids can result to poor performance in school. When such children suffer from health problems, they have to be out of school many times because of doctors’ appointments. They end up missing some of the critical assignments causing them to perform poorly. It recommends individualization of each foster child’s issues, in the best interest through ensuring that the child is well protected and is stable.

Georgia Supreme Court (2011) explains that majority of youth in foster care are being prescribed psychotropic medications and repeatedly administered with the same dosage. Since psychotropic medicines have an effect on the brain, they normally alter the mood and behavior of such kids causing them to perform poorly in school. This has aroused issues from experts in the country. National organizations in most instances have shown keen interest in this issue and possibly taken a number of steps and precaution to combat this. Other national organizations involved in foster care have used various techniques and methods to help solve the problems.

The lack of government responsibility on foster care

Children’s Defense Fund (2010) highlights that foster kids perform dismally in class work compared to their cohorts that have not been placed in the foster care system. This is attributed to the fact that there are shifts in placements of foster youth from their research work. The Children’s Defense recommends that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization includes responsibilities on state and local educational organizations that mirror those that ‘Fostering Connections’ placed on child welfare agencies, so the premise fostering connections will be nullified. Some of the challenges are special, ranging from individual to systematic. This paper is designed for the busy the welfare of children, the important role played by agencies like organizations and even governments in tackling this important issue.

Psychosocial and organizational issues affecting foster kids

Confidentiality issues on foster care

Increased confidentiality among foster children and foster parents is also a factor that contributes to the poor performance of such kids. Finkelstein, Wamsely and Miranda, reveal that members of the school staff were unaware of the case histories of foster children. The lack of information on such children poses a difficulty for teachers to address the behavioral and poor academic performance seen in school. The limited exchange of information between foster parents and foster kids and the schools, results to a limited understanding of such children in school. This implies that even when foster children miss school for court appearances, therapy sessions or doctor appointments as mandated by the foster care system, such children might not be allowed to take homework assignments or makeup tests that had been done by other children in school, causing them to perform poorly.

Strategies for addressing poor performance among foster children

Alliance for Children (2002) summarizes the results of three focus groups with children in the foster care unit during July to November 2002. This project has two major areas of concern. First, it looks into some of the issues that affect the academic performance of foster children especially in their youth stage. It categorizes these issues into various classes for easy interpretation and understanding. Some of the issues examined are the education rights of foster children, foster care adoption, and extended foster care. Second, the authors attempt to locate possible solutions to the challenges that it talks about. The article reveals that persons involved in foster care should also concentrate on academic performance other than the welfare of foster children. One of the solutions highlighted in the article is mentorship. This can be used to address some of the mental issues that affect foster children, which hinder them from performing well in school.

Other work by NCSET highlight the opinions of former foster youth who have graduated from college. The foster care alumni college expenses were supported by the Orphanage Foundation of America and the Casey Families Scholarship, or subsidized by their operation at a young age. For example, one of the youths stated that, during his first year in college, he managed to get a contract that helped him to raise money to cater for his tuition fee and upkeep. He illustrates that this was different to the deeds of his friends, who were involved in drug abuse and other peer pressure activities. This illustrates that not all foster children suffer from behavioral problems, but some suffer from economic problems that hinder them from performing well in school. This example shows that there are foster children who understand their situations and want to make their situations different. However, there are those who fail to examine their lives and resolve to drug abuse or peer pressure. Such issues call for mentorship for foster children. The article also cites a case study of a young man who successfully went through foster care. He recounts his personal struggles with foster care system and temptations to run away from it. He talks about his addiction to hard medicine and inadequate funds for upkeep. Eventually, he explains how he used football to escape from the system. In the end, he emerged as a successful footballer and became a writer of journals and magazines. This illustrates that mentorship can help in improving academic performance among such kids.

Mack (2002) proposes some of the strategies that can be used in enhancing better performance among foster children. From the study, it is evident that one characteristic that is common among many foster children is sharing of different foster parents who are accountable for their well being. The responsibility of the child academic progress should be a responsibility of all persons involved in the child’s welfare and other persons associated with the educational systems. According to the study, enhanced coordination among responsible parties will play a critical role in alleviating the problems faced by foster kids, therefore, having a positive effect on the academic performance of such children. However, some of the challenges that have been experienced concern the lack of clarity on who is normally responsible for the academic performance of the child. It is evident that many individual involved in foster care do not concentrate on the academic performance of the children. Such people feel that the primary concern of foster care is enhancing child protection instead of improving their education. The other strategy that can be used to improve the performance of such children in school is improving communication between the school and the foster care system. This improved communication can help with the scheduling of doctor appointments or court sessions when they do not coincide with major school assignments.

Proposal Draft for a Study on Foster Kids

1. Introduction

1.1. Background Information on Foster Kids and Experiences

Foster children do not have any stable place to call home. Their destiny lies in the hands of those to whom responsibility has been delegated to take care of them. Most frequently, these caretakers are not permanent in nature. These kids are more often than not are easily identified by their teachers, based on how they perform or conduct themselves in the classes. This study aims at coming up with ideal tools and techniques to motivate and strengthen foster kids to improve their performance in school. In addition, it seeks to develop techniques that would aid in creating forums with such kids to share out their experiences and challenges.

1.2. Challenges

Research has it that foster kids face a number of challenges, be it psychological, economic, and academic or any other barrier in their day-to-day lives. A majority of these challenges are seen when the kids are at their adolescent stages in life. Some of them lack basic needs or face sufficient access. The adolescent girl child is the worst hit at this stage. They may lack health advice on the changes that take place as they grow up, and even how to tackle these issues. Psychological torture in the form of loneliness and homelessness may also form a larger portion of their sad experiences. This may come because people with whom they have parental link never raise them. Their bonds are quickly renewed with time and never fall in the hands of the same caretakers once it is broken. Academic challenges may come in the form of poor performance in examinations, but this has a direct connection to psychological challenges that these children undergo.

Among other challenges, foster kids are prone to physical challenges. More often, they are overworked and not well taken care of in terms of food. They have to cope with what the environment around them has to offer. They do not dictate their destiny and such decisions are left in the hand of those that are assigned to look after them. A majority never achieve their goals because they are often automatically blocked out of universities and colleges. The study aims at familiarizing with these challenges and trying to adopt possible solutions to help the foster kids have a future.

1.3. Ethical Considerations on Foster care

Foster children are a sensitive group to deal with when conducting research. This implies that several ethical considerations will need to be examined when conducting the interviews. One of the ethical considerations is informed consent. The participants will be informed consent concerning the research. They will be required to sign a consent form indicating their acceptance to participate in the research. The other factor that will be examined concerns confidentiality of information about the participants. Since the research concerns poor academic performance among foster children, evidence will need to be obtained in order to draw conclusions on the factors that affect the performance of these kids. To obtain such evidence, their academic report forms and school attendance reports will be examined in order to draw conclusions on the factors that affect the performance of foster children. This implies that confidentiality of sensitive information about participants will have to be maintained.

1.4. Potential drawbacks

Some of the drawbacks that might be experienced while conducting the research include the refusal of the target population to participate. The literature review reveals that foster children suffer from behavioral problems that hinder then from performing well in school. Such behavioral issues might pose a problem while conducting the research as some of the might refuse to participate. However, this problem will be addressed by approaching some of the participants before the research begins. The other difficulty is in obtaining article with information on the academic performance of foster children.

2. Data

2.1. Data collection plan

This study will collect data related to foster kids and some of the issues that affect their academic performance. Relevant inquiry will be done through the main parties involved in foster care and to some extent the foster children themselves. The participants in the research will include foster kids, foster parents and teachers to these children. The research methods that will be used for the study include questionnaires and interviews. Other studies that have been conducted on foster care and academic performance will also be examined. This will involve a comparison of the opinions presented by different authors on foster care. The questionnaires are a good method of conducting the research because the technique reduces bias. Since poor academic performance among foster children is a sensitive topic, the questionnaires will ensure other persons do not influence the opinions of the participants.

2.1.1. Questions for the Study

Some of the questions that will be used for interviews and the questionnaires include

1. What are the circumstances that lead a child to foster care?
2. Which psychological issues contribute to poor performance among foster children?
3. What organizational issues affect the performance of foster children?
4. What causes these psychological issues?
5. What challenges do foster kids face that hinder them from performing well in school?
6. What challenges are faced by their teachers and foster parents?
7. What strategies can be used to address the poor academic performance among foster children?

Questions pertaining to challenges would most preferably be directed towards almost all the parties involved in foster care. For example, the teachers and foster parents, a relevant question would be on measures that have been put in place to combat these challenges. Measures that have been fruitful would be known, and those that have not would be identified.

The other possible question would be aimed at motivating and mentoring some of the foster kids. This would take the form of encouragement as well as a challenge to them. The foster kids can also be asked to give their opinions on foster care and their performance in school. They could also be asked to give their opinions on some of the things they will do to address the challenges face.

2.1.2. Sources of Data

The answers to questions addressed in the questionnaires and interviews will act as sources of information for the study. The responses of the participants will be examined and analyzed in an in depth manner. Such information would be generated from the environment from which the foster kids come. From the educational context, teachers and the foster kids would serve as tools for data collection. Moreover, academic records such as disciplinary records, report forms and even school attendance records would be used in this case. This would give out the clear picture on how foster kids fare on in school compared to their other colleagues, not in the system. This comparison would be done by sampling the other student’s records to make judgments on any differences noted. To gather information different foster care institutions will be visited. The foster kids and their teachers will be interviewed. Informed consent will be used to ensure the participants are aware about the research. However, privacy will also be ensured for records such as performance records.

The residential areas would as well act as reliable data sources for this study. The neighborhood and general outlook of the residential could be a basis to determine whether social issues contribute to poor academic performance. Interrogations with the neighbors and the residents themselves would generate reliable information.

2.2. Data Collection Techniques

This study will mainly major on interviews with the involved parties who are foster kids, their parents, teachers and their neighbors. This will help in establishing facts and obtaining answers to all the questions of interest. This method is contextual to the study since the best way to generate information from young people is mainly through one-on-one questioning. In that case, the interviewee will have to be that individual who understands the mental reasoning and be able to focus and read facial information and gestures. Observation as another technique would not be amiss, but only on relevant and confirmed area of study

3. Discussion

Actions to be taken pertaining to analysis and interpretation of the data obtained would come at the discussion point. The basic fundamental action would be that their needs are addressed through proper communication between the foster kids and the foster parents. In the event that a foster kid is likely to be shifted from one home to the next, he/she needs to be alerted in time to avoid mental torture. At the same time, the discussion would also engage into making recommendations to the teachers of these foster kids to pay extra attention and to an extent go miles ahead to act as their parents. This would be done by regularly assessing their academic records and advising where necessary. Such mentoring activities would help enable the foster kids undergo fair and recommended education.

Special attention to kids with special needs would also be important to recommend in that this study. At the residential, it is important to note that some kids would require special attention and that not all of them are capable of surviving under the same conditions. The prevention and abuse among foster children is the best strategy that can be employed in foster care homes to enhance the healthy development of children, which would ensure better performance. Foster care is a critical lifeline that is meant to save children from mistreatment. Therefore, policies should be put in place to enhance the protection of such children and the provision of their needs. If children in foster systems face additional harm, then this is likely to harm the rationale of foster care. Therefore, the policies put in place should focus on enhancing foster children’s welfare systems.

Conclusion

Foster kids, just like any of us, are human. It only happens that not everyone is brought up in the same environment. Foster kids are not grown-ups, therefore, they cannot cater fully for their own needs and wants. The major stakeholders involved are teachers, the government, foster parents, organizations and even the general public- must act according to the basic human rights that any of them would not wish to be taken from them. Addressing the basic needs and the educational issues affecting such children is a strategy that may help in improving their academic performance.

We live in a world of inventions and innovations. Every day, a new technological device is developed. What we do not take into account is that, despite academic lines of thought, proper talent development and mentorship programs to the young people would serve as a better tool in molding the future of these young bright kids. Leadership training, among other life skills would help create a better world for the foster kids. In addition, people should know that there are foster kids around them. Just like we do contribute towards the needy, these foster kids are not an exception. There is a need to come up with a special charity program that would help generate funds to support the foster kids with their education, amongst other needs. This can be done through electronic funds transfer services and a common pool established for the reception and distribution of this aid to the various centers.

Other than aiming at offering help to the foster kids, there are foster kids who have emerged successful and others have failed to reach desired life destinations. It would be crucial to be able to recognize publicly, those that are successful in life, and if possible perform any form of motivation and reward to acknowledge their efforts. The government is a major body in determining the fate of foster kids. Through all the stakeholders involved, there should be laws set pertaining to these kids. Other than the basic rights of persons and persons with special needs, there should be another category created to focus on foster children.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics (2000)

Brown, K. E. (2009). Foster Care: State Practices for Assessing Health Needs Facilitating Service Delivery, and Monitoring Children’s Care. Diane Publishing.

Courtney T.B (2004). Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Conditions of Youth Preparing to Leave State Care. Chain Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago, pp 60-67

Finkelstein, M. Wamsley, M. and Miranda, D. (2002). What keeps Children in Foster Care from Succeeding in School? Views of Early Adolescents and the Adults in their Lives. Vera Institute of Justice.

Georgia Supreme Court (2011)

Greeson, J. K. P., Ake, G. S., Howard, M. L., Briggs, E. C., Ko, S. J., Pynoos, R. S., Gerrity, E. T., Kisiel, C. L., Fairbank, J. A., Layne, C. M., Steinberg, A. M. (2005). Complex Trauma and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents Placed in Foster Care: Findings from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 90(6), pp 34-37.

Krebs, B., & Pitcoff, P. (2006). Beyond the foster care system: The future for teens. New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press.

Mack, K. (2002). Educational Opportunity for Youth in Foster Care. Children’s Voice. [Online]. http://www.cwla.org/articles/cv0205youthcare.htm

McDonald T.S. (1997). What We Know about Effects of Foster Care. London: CWLA Press

Mitchell, M. B., Kuczynski, L., Tubbs, C. Y and Ross, C. (2009).We care about care: advice by children in care for children in care, foster parents and child welfare workers about the transition into foster care. Ontario: Child and Family Social Work.

National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (2008)

Taussig L.W & Culhane B.H (2011). Impact of Mentoring Group Program on Mental Health Outcomes for Maltreated Children in Foster. Chicago. American Medical Association

The Youth Advocacy Centre. (2001)

The Youth Advocacy Center (2004).

US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention (1997)