News Summary
A new legislative commission has convened to address the alarming graduation rates for foster youth in Rhode Island, which are significantly lower than their peers. With only 43% graduating high school, urgent measures are necessary to improve these outcomes. The commission aims to produce actionable strategies and a report by mid-2026. Key challenges include chronic absenteeism and academic struggles faced by these vulnerable students. The commission seeks to learn from states with successful programs and improve educational opportunities for foster children.
Providence, Rhode Island – A newly formed legislative commission aimed at addressing the dismal graduation rates for students in foster care convened for its first meeting on August 13, 2025, at the Rhode Island State House. This initiative comes in response to alarming statistics indicating that only 43% of foster youth in Rhode Island graduated high school in 2024, the lowest rate among all student demographics in the state.
Data released by the state reveals that the graduation rate for students experiencing homelessness stands slightly higher at 59%. The graduation rate for foster youth has seen a troubling decline from 51% in 2023, accompanied by a dropout rate of 26%, which is the highest in the state.
The commission, officially named the Special Legislative Commission to Study Educational Outcomes for Children in State Care, consists of 17 volunteer members, including state officials, educators, and child welfare advocates. Representative Julie Casimiro will chair the commission, with Jeannine Nota-Masse, superintendent of Cranston Public Schools, serving as vice chair.
During the inaugural meeting, Rep. Casimiro highlighted the need for urgent improvements, citing that only 178 students in foster care could have graduated last year. The stark contrast between the average graduation rate of 84% for all students in Rhode Island and the significantly lower rate for those in foster care underscores the challenges faced by this vulnerable population.
Nationally, the graduation rate for foster youth hovers around 50%, suggesting that this issue is not unique to Rhode Island. The commission aims to change these outcomes by producing a final report for the General Assembly by July 1, 2026, with a planned end date of August 15, 2026.
Beyond graduation rates, foster students also contend with a range of educational challenges, including a chronic absenteeism rate of 41%, compared to 26% for their non-foster peers. Furthermore, many foster youth struggle academically, averaging five failed courses throughout high school, especially among those with disabilities.
Rep. Casimiro characterized the current graduation figures for foster youth as “beyond dreadful,” pointing to previous efforts to address similar issues in 2012. David Sienko from the Rhode Island Department of Education reported recent strides in improving data collection relating to foster youth, although concerns remain about data dissemination as only 15 school districts responded to a survey regarding their use of this critical data.
Challenges such as confusion surrounding kinship care being misclassified, transportation barriers, and funding deficits were also acknowledged by commission members. As illustrated by personal testimonies shared, the impact of these issues can be devastating. For instance, there are accounts of a traumatized 17-year-old boy receiving inadequate supervision at home, highlighting the need for greater vigilance and support.
In light of these various challenges, the commission plans to explore effective strategies other states have employed to enhance educational outcomes for foster youth. The next commission meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2025, as efforts continue to pave a path toward higher graduation rates and better educational opportunities for foster children in Rhode Island.
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Additional Resources
- Rhode Island Current: Foster Kids Struggle to Graduate High School
- WPRI: Teen Hopes to Inspire Others from Foster Care
- Providence Journal: Obituaries
- WPRI: RI Kids Count Factbook Takeaways
- BestColleges: State Scholarships for Foster Care Students
- Wikipedia: Foster Care in the United States
- Google Search: Foster Care Education
- Google Scholar: Foster Care Academic Outcomes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Foster Care
- Google News: Foster Care Graduation Rates
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
