Tamara Kramer and Alexandra Dufresne, J.D.

When a child is removed from his home due to abuse or neglect, everything in that child's life changes. He is separated from his parents, home, and possibly his siblings. Many times, he is also removed from his school, resulting in the sudden loss of connections to friends, teachers, and other caring adults. Research shows that frequent school changes, which are harmful to all children, are particularly devastating for children in the foster care system, who are already at high risk for academic failure. This paper explains the educational costs of frequent school changes on children in the child welfare system, as well as its effects on their peers and their schools. It also discusses Connecticut's efforts to provide school stability to children in its care. (November 2009)

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