Governor Signs Critical Bill that will Ensure Educational Stability for Foster Youth

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Schwarzenegger has just signed AB 1933, which will allow foster youth to remain in their school of origin for the duration of their time in foster care – even as they move from elementary to middle school and onto high school.  This bill was sponsored by Public Counsel and authored by Assemblymember Julie Brownley, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee.  

"Through no fault of their own, foster youth suffer innumerable school placements --- sometimes as many as 20 --- due to changes in their residential placement.  The instability of out-of-home placement means that school may be the only place where foster children can develop lasting relationships, learn supportive life skills, and legitimately depend on adult consistency," said Laura Faer, Directing Attorney of Public Counsel's Children's Rights Project.  "The passage of AB 1933 is a critical victory for foster youth, because it ensures that foster youth have a right to remain in their school of origin throughout their time in foster care."

Wendy Ruiz, 23, a former foster youth, traveled to Sacramento twice to testify in support of AB 1933.  Ms. Ruiz was placed at Workman High School in the City of Industry while in foster care.  

"At Workman, I was nationally recognized for excellence in chemistry and excelled in Spanish.  But my foster parent told me to leave and the foster care agency moved me to a group home.  I was told I could not stay at Workman High, where I excelled, and had teachers who supported me, and friends who I loved.  I was crushed and fell behind.  I lost my chance to attend a four year University right out of high school," said Ms. Ruiz.  "AB 1933 helps put an end to school changes.  It makes it possible for foster youth like me, to count on the consistency of school.  And, education is so important to us, because at school we not only receive the tools for advancement but the life skills that our biological families and the foster system could not teach us."

Research shows that every time a child is moved to a new school, he or she loses four to six months of educational attainment.  AB 1933 provides that foster youth have a right to remain indefinitely in their school of origin despite any subsequent changes in residential placement and allows foster children and youth to matriculate under the established feeder patterns with their classmates from elementary to secondary schools when they experience a placement change.

"We appreciate the Governor's strong stand in support of the rights of foster youth," said Hernan Vera, Public Counsel's President & CEO, "and we greatly appreciate his leadership and that of Assemblymember Julie Brownley."

SOURCE Public Counsel