High School Graduation of Youth in Foster Care

One of DCYF’s strategic priorities is that we create successful transitions to adulthood for youth and young adults in our care. Graduation from high school is an outcome indicator for this priority. Statewide, the 2021 four year graduating cohort included 84,828 students, 83% of whom graduated on time. In most years, an additional 2-3 percent of the class have graduated by the end of their fifth year. Among that 2021 cohort, 657 youth were indicated as having been in foster care. Youth who have not been in foster care graduated at the rate of the overall class, whereas 48% of youth who had been in foster care graduated on time. In recent years, an additional 2-10% of those youth did graduate from high school after their fifth year.

Four Year Graduation Rate, by Foster Care Status, Classes of 2013-2021
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Five Year Graduation Rate, by Foster Care Status, Classes of 2013-2021
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