UCLA

This dissertation closely examines the experience of foster youth attending California community colleges and how campuses are responding to their educational needs. Foster youth have the least successful educational outcomes of any population of young Americans. They also represent one of the most vulnerable and academically at-risk populations in the nation. This lack of success is due to many factors, not the least of which is the instability and discontinuity encountered by changing schools frequently due to placement changes. But while this instability greatly impacts their academic preparation and achievement, other obstacles further impede their educational success. This dissertation looked at how three Los Angeles County community colleges, in particular, were responding to these obstacles and the needs of foster youth attending their campuses.

The study design utilized a qualitative method, specifically case study methodology. This method was employed because there is little research done in this area. The case study of the three programs working with foster youth assisted in the understanding of the complexity of this issue within the context of each campus and allowed the researcher to build upon the limited body of knowledge with the hope of strengthening current programs. The data consisted of individual interviews, observations, review of primary program documents and a background questionnaire. The individual interviews were conducted with both student and staff. A total of thirty-two students and nine staff were interviewed across the three campuses.

The data collected was used to generate themes that helped to answer the research questions posed for this study. The research and findings identified the experience of foster youth and the types of support they stated were needed while attending community college in order to meet their educational objectives. The findings will be important in assisting child welfare and post-secondary institutions identify the supports needed to help foster youth become college and career ready in order to meet their post-secondary educational goals.