Randall Erwin

This Foster Care State Plan provides comprehensive guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) across Oklahoma. Its central objective is to ensure the educational stability and minimize disruptions for children and youth in foster care, empowering them to achieve challenging state academic standards and access free, appropriate public education. Key components of the plan include detailing legal requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Fostering Connections Act, outlining specific responsibilities for State Educational Agencies (SEAs), LEAs, and Child Welfare Agencies (CWAs), establishing clear procedures for transportation, and addressing student data privacy. The overarching vision is to eliminate barriers to enrollment, attendance, and school success, promoting college- and career-readiness through robust inter-agency collaboration.

This plan details how Albion Public Schools will utilize ESSER III funds to address the impacts of the pandemic. Key objectives include implementing prevention and mitigation strategies for safe in-person learning, addressing the academic impact of lost instructional time through evidence-based interventions, and providing social and emotional support for students. A significant focus is placed on tailoring interventions for disproportionately impacted student populations, including those from low-income families, students of color, English learners, children with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and migratory students, to ensure their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs are met.