The Fostering School Success Act aims to improve educational support for students in foster care by amending the Revised Code and establishing new provisions. It defines "student placed in foster care" and mandates collaboration among state education and child services directors to share best practices. The bill requires the creation of local foster care education liaisons in every school district, community school, and STEM school to assist with the identification, enrollment, and resource access for these students. Additionally, it introduces foster family navigators in each school building to serve as primary contacts for students and their families, facilitating access to academic and non-academic services and supporting high school students in planning for their futures.

The legislation also updates requirements for community schools, mandating compliance with a plan for awarding high school credit based on subject area competency and establishing a framework for granting credit through work-based learning experiences. It requires annual reports on activities and financial status from schools and mandates adherence to various sections of the Revised Code. Notably, the bill requires public and private child placing agencies to provide independent living services to youth in their custody, focusing on self-sufficiency preparation. It also repeals existing sections 3314.03 and 3326.11 of the Revised Code to streamline the oversight of community schools.

Statutes affected:
As Reported By House Committee: 3314.03, 3326.11
As Passed By House: 3314.03, 3326.11