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U.S. Department of Education: Strategic Collaboration to Improve Academic Outcomes for Students in Foster Care
Students in foster care are a highly mobile student population, and, as a result of this high mobility, students in foster care often realize academic outcomes that lag behind those of their peers. Title I, Part A (Title I-A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, includes requirements that intend to minimize, to the extent possible, educational discontinuity for this population of students. To fully implement the Title I-A educational stability requirements and improve outcomes for students in foster care, practitioners must collaborate with partners in child welfare agencies and directors of other education grant programs. This session will unpack the Title I-A educational stability requirements and will spotlight strategies for collaborating—across systems and grant programs—to support students in foster care.
This talk was presented at:
2026 National ESEA Conference
February 2026
in
Denver, CO
Speakers
Bryan Thurmond
Bryan Thurmond is an education program specialist in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. In this role, Bryan works on programs for students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care. Prior to joining the Department in 2014 as a Presidential Management Fellow, Bryan began his career as Pre-kindergarten teacher in Prince George's County, Maryland. Bryan holds a Master's degree in early childhood curriculum and instruction and a Juris Doctorate (JD).
Kathleen McNaught
Kathleen McNaught is an attorney and has been with the American Bar Association's Center on Children and the Law for over 23 years. She is the Project Director for the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education. Kathleen provides training and technical assistance around the country on a variety of legal child welfare issues, primarily focused on the educational needs of children in foster care.
ESEA Network
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
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admin@eseanetwork.org | 800-256-6452
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About Us
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (formerly the National Title I Association) is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect with Us
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