EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE RECEIVING SERVICES IN AN URBANFAMILY PRESERVATION AND REUNIFICATION SETTING

In recent years, the number of children placed in child welfare progra ms has substantially increased. The familiar, social, and mental healt h needs of this child population has been well documented. However, th eir educational status and needs have received less attention. This st udy examines the educational performance of children who are receiving services from an urban child care service agency, with an emphasis on family preservation and reunification. The participants for the study were 56 children (30 boys; 26 girls), ranging from first to eighth gr ade or between ages 6 and is. Information on the educational performan ce of the participants was collected using the Educational Status Form , a 24-item questionnaire. Data Included educational performance, atte ndance pattern. and family status. No relationships were reported betw een school performance and family status. The results of the study, li mitations, future research needs. and the need for early intervention are discussed.