Moving forward: Educational outcomes for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) exiting foster care in the United States

Year Published:

Abstract

Unprecedented numbers of unaccompanied children have migrated to the Southern border of the United States in recent years. Yet, little is known about how these children fare after arrival, including the few who are placed in the federally sponsored Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) foster care programme. Existing research suggests that unaccompanied refugee children, unaccompanied migrant children and foster children each face significant barriers that limit their educational attainment. This study examines educational attainment for children exiting the URM programme in 2015 (n = 193). Longer stays in care are associated with higher educational attainment. Permanent legal status predicts increased high-school graduation rates, but not college enrolment. Significant variation emerged between children from the Northern Triangle region of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) compared with other countries of origin, as well as across countries within this region. These results are discussed in light of United States policies that may influence the educational attainment of unaccompanied migrant youth.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to help students in immigrant and refugee families complete secondary education?

There is some moderate evidence that trusted adult support increases academic achievement. Three articles highlight the importance of support from a trusted adult on academic achievement. Two suggestive studies focus on parental support, while another impact evaluation focuses on trusted adults. Students who had the support of their parents or trusted adults were more academically […]

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Unspecified

INTERVENTION: Foster care

OUTCOME AREA: Youth Programs

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2018

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