The Cuyahoga Youth Count: Educational Aspirations of Youth Experiencing Foster Care

Youth in foster care experience substantial educational disparities compared to their non-foster peers, including lower graduation rates, higher suspension rates, and reduced postsecondary attainment. This study examined the educational aspirations and school experiences of foster youth residing in an urban county using data from the Cuyahoga Youth Count (CYC). The sample included 243 youth aged 12 to 21 currently residing in out-of-home care. Sixty percent of youth aspired to have careers requiring postsecondary education or vocational training, most commonly in health care or skilled trades. Two-thirds of youth reported negative experiences at school, and 41.5% of youth reported at least one suspension in the prior year. Youth who were suspended multiple times were more likely to aspire to careers not requiring a degree. Despite educational barriers, findings demonstrate that foster youth have educational ambition and suggest the importance of integrating educational advocacy and individualized academic planning within child welfare services.