From Foster Care to College

Royel M. Johnson is associate professor of education and social work at the University of Southern California and director of the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates in the USC Race and Equity Center.

Contents Foreword Tyrone C. Howard ?ix Series Foreword James A. Banks ?xiii Acknowledgments ?xix 1. ?Introduction ?1 Setting the Stage ?1 Purpose and Scope ?4 Conceptual Scaffolding ?5 The Students ?6 More than an Intellectual Exercise: My Journey to this Work ?8 Reading From Foster Care to College ?9 Person-Centered Language: A Note About Terms ?12 Chapter Overview ?12 2. ?System Failure: Navigating and Resisting Foster Care ?14 The Foundations of American Foster Care ?15 In Their Own Words: Life in Foster Care ?20 Common Threads: The Challenges of Stability, Care, and Safety ?24 Navigating Systemic Failures with Resilience ?28 Conclusion ?29 3. ?"A Hope in the Unseen": Navigating K-12 Education and Fostering College Dreams ?31 K-12 Educational Challenges ?32 Fostering and Sustaining College Dreams: Barbie's Story ?39 Conclusion ?43 4. ?Choosing College as a Matter of Belonging ?45 College Choice as a Matter of Belonging ?46 Transitioning to College: Navigating New Beginnings ?51 Conclusion ?55 5. ?"Bridges" to Postsecondary Retention, Persistence, and Success ?57 Dylan's Story ?58 Conclusion ?68 Conclusion ?69 1. ?Ensure Placement Stability and Decrease School Mobility with Attention to Equity ?71 2. ?Extend Foster Care Nationally ?72 3. ?Prepare K-12 Educators to Support Youth in Foster Care ?72 4. ?States Should Appoint Ombuds Officers for Children and Families ?73 5. ?Implement Early College Awareness and Preparation Programs ?73 6. ?Provide Year-Round Campus Housing ?74 7. ?Invest in Campus Support Programs for Youth in Foster Care ?75 8. ?Address Family Privilege and Educational Traditions ?75 Final Thoughts ?76 Appendix: An Overview of the Study ?77 References ?83 Index ?89 About the Author ?93