Residential education: An emerging resource for improving educational outcomes for youth in foster care?

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in the use of boarding schools for disadvantaged youth, including youth in the child welfare system. However, concerns about group placements and the failings of other congregate care services like residential treatment have raised questions about the role of residential schools for foster care youth. This study presents results from the first national survey of residential education programs. Based on a sample of 67 residential education programs, findings offer a description of enrolled students and the services they received through residential schools. Results suggest that the number of applications programs received was more than double the number of youth enrolled in residential schools and schools reported that almost half of program graduates enter college. Implications for policy and future research are also presented.