Fact Sheets

BILL FACT SHEET: FOSTERING GRADUATION SUCCESS

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On January 26, 2022, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf signed into law Act 1 of 2022, the Fostering A Smooth Transition for Graduation Act. This Act, which is effective immediately, amends the school code to support students experiencing educational instability by ensuring access to timely graduation and the full range of educational opportunities. The law defines “education instability” as one or more school changes in a year due to homelessness, an adjudication of dependency or delinquency, or a court-ordered voluntary placement or custody agreement. Without targeted support, youth who are forced to change schools due to homelessness, or foster care or juvenile justice system involvement, are at high risk of not graduating high school. Act 1 helps youth experiencing education instability achieve school success through graduation planning, smoother transfer of academic credits, and targeted educational supports.

We will be updating our materials soon. Download the fact sheet below to learn more about the details of S.B. 324, which both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature passed unanimously and Governor Wolf signed into law. 

 

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About the Expert
Kate Burdick Headshot

Kate Burdick is a Senior Attorney at Juvenile Law Center with over a decade of experience advocating for youth in the justice and child welfare systems. She first started at Juvenile in 2009 as the eighth Sol and Helen Zubrow Fellow in Children's Law, then later served as an Equal Justice Works Fellow (sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, LLP) and Staff Attorney. Between fellowships, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Michael M. Baylson of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.