Extracurricular activity participation and educational outcomes among older youth transitioning from foster care

Abstract

This study examined factors associated with extracurricular participation and whether participation in extracurricular activities is associated with completing high school and attending college among a sample of older youth transitioning from foster care (n=312). Results indicated that better self-reported grades and greater educational aspirations were associated with extracurricular participation. Participation in extracurricular activities was associated with graduating from high school, but not starting college by age 19. Consistent with provisions of the Preventing Sex trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014, results suggest that efforts that make extracurricular participation a normative aspect of the developmental experience of foster youth are important for their educational well-being.