5254 Educational Stability
The Child Welfare Case Management Provider (CWCMP) shall coordinate with the school system to ensure children in the custody of the Secretary receive educational resources which meet their individual needs. Coordination shall include discussing stable school placement and arranging transportation, if needed, to keep the child in the same school of origin.
A. All school-age children in the custody of the Secretary shall attend school as required by state law. The school shall be accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education. The CWCMP, child’s parents, and child’s placement shall support the child in achieving completion of secondary education. If the child wishes to pursue post-secondary education, support achieving this goal shall also be provided.
B. All school-age children in the custody of the Secretary shall be maintained in their school of origin whenever possible. When making placement decisions, educational considerations shall include but not limited to:
1. The child’s proximity to their school of origin
2. The appropriateness of the educational placement
3. Whether transportation to the school of origin can achieve educational stability for the child
C. When the CWCMP becomes aware of a child’s placement change or impending placement change, they shall follow the Educational Stability Process Map (Appendix 5P) and immediately contact the school district’s foster care Point of Contact (POC) for the school of origin to inform them of the child’s move and potential change in school location. The foster care POC will then identify a school professional with knowledge of the child’s educational background to participate in a Best Interest Determination (BID) if needed.
D. When a placement change is anticipated to move a child into the boundaries of a new school a Best Interest Determination (BID), as defined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), shall occur with the school of origin (sending school) prior to the move to ensure educational stability and determine if it is in the child’s best interest to remain in the school of origin.
1. The BID, at a minimum, should include the CWCMP and the sending school foster care POC or designee. The purpose of the BID is to discuss what is needed to ensure educational stability based on the needs and the best interest of the child. A BID may be held by phone, or virtual meeting.
2. Additional persons with knowledge pertinent of the child’s case may be invited by the CWCMP to participate in the BID in person, virtually, or by providing written input to be considered by the staffing team. Additional persons who may be included:
a. Child or youth, if appropriate
b. Biological Parents, if parental rights are still intact
c. Placement Providers
d. Guardian ad Litem
e. Educational Advocate
f. DCF Staff
g. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
h. ICWA Tribal Contact or Representative (if applicable)
i. Community Corrections or Court Services staff, if the youth has been identified as a Crossover Youth
E. Participants in the BID should consider:
1. Length of Time Enrolled in School of Origin
2. Learning Behaviors or Disabilities
3. Safety Factors
4. Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities
5. Distance of New Placement from School of Origin
6. IEP and 504 Plan Services
7. Child Preference
8. Parent Preference, if parental rights are still intact
9. Child’s Attachment to School of Origin
10. Placement of Siblings
11. Influence of School Climate
12. Availability and Quality of Services
The BID decision and participants shall be documented on Part A of the Educational Enrollment Information for School Placement Form PPS 5254.
F. Potential BID Outcomes:
1. When it is determined to be in the best interest of the child to stay in their school of origin, the school district and CWCMP shall coordinate to develop a transportation plan for the student to get to and from school. Coordination shall include addressing the availability and cost of the transportation needed. Additional transportation costs may be reimbursed by the CWCMP, paid by the school district, or shared. Considerations when coordinating transportation include:
a. Age of child
b. Type of transportation available
c. Flexibility in school schedule
d. Impact of extracurricular activities on transportation options
e. Maturity and behavioral capacity of the child
f. Traffic patterns
g. Additional needs of the child (i.g. presence of paraprofessional, car lifts)
2. When it is determined to be in the best interest of the child to transition from their school of origin, the CWCMP shall inform the receiving school and forward the PPS 5254 within 3 working days of the BID Decision.
The CWCMP will update the PPS 5254 and PPS 5120 each time a child experiences a change in school or a change in placement, even within the same district. This includes placements where the school is on-site, such as correctional facilities, detention centers, state hospitals, and some residential facilities. This update is not required when the child returns home to the parent.
The CWCMP shall provide all documentation regarding the BID process and outcomes to the Tribe as required by ICWA.
G. Children in the custody of the Secretary may be approved to be home schooled when their placement has signed an Adoptive Placement Agreement and if the CWCMP and court approve.
H. K.S.A. 38-2285, requires the board of education of a school district award a high school diploma to any person requesting a diploma if the person:
1. is at least 17 years of age
2. is enrolled or resides in such school district
3. is or was a child in the custody of the Secretary at any time after turning 14 years of age
4. has achieved the minimum high school graduation requirements adopted by the State Board of Education.
I. The requirement identified in H.4 is applicable even if those requirements do not meet the requirements of the local school board.