Predictors of High School Completion and College Entry at Ages 19/20

Securing a job and earning a living wage is increasingly linked to finishing high school and earning a college degree. Foster care youth are less likely than their peers to achieve these academic milestones. This study explored factors that might cause these young adults to lag behind, including demographic characteristics, academic performance, maltreatment, and foster care history. Findings show youth were less likely to finish high school if they were behind academically, had alcohol or substance use problems, experienced sexual abuse, or lived in urban areas. They were less likely to attend college if they had repeated a grade, had lower reading proficiency, experienced early parenthood, and had more foster care placements. Receiving foster support beyond age 18 was associated with increased likelihood of completing high school and entering college.