Sec. 17. (a) As used in this section, “foster care” has the meaning set forth in IC 31-9-2-46.7.

     (b) As used in this section, “foster care youth” means students in foster care.

     (c) As used in this section, “graduation rate” has the meaning set forth in IC 20-26-13-6.

     (d) The state board shall, in collaboration with the department and the department of child services, annually prepare a report on foster care youth educational outcomes that includes the following:

(1) The annual graduation rate of foster care youth, including the following information:

(A) The graduation rate for each of the following:

(i) Foster care youth who received a waiver from postsecondary readiness competency requirements under IC 20-32-4-4.1.

(ii) Foster care youth who did not receive a waiver from postsecondary readiness competency requirements under IC 20-32-4-4.1.

(B) The number and percentage of foster care youth who received each type of diploma.

(2) The adjusted cohort graduation rate for foster care youth, including the adjusted cohort graduation rate for each of the following:

(A) Foster care youth who received a waiver from postsecondary readiness competency requirements under IC 20-32-4-4.1.

(B) Foster care youth who did not receive a waiver from postsecondary readiness competency requirements under IC 20-32-4-4.1.

(3) The number and percentage for each of the following:

(A) Foster care youth who were promoted to the next grade level at the end of the school year.

(B) Foster care youth who were retained in the same grade level for the next school year.

(C) Foster care youth who were suspended during the school year.

(D) Foster care youth who were expelled during the school year.

(E) Foster care youth who met academic standards on statewide assessment program tests (as defined in IC 20-32-2-2.3) administered during the school year.

The information reported under this subdivision must also be disaggregated by race, grade, gender, free or reduced price lunch status, and eligibility for special education.

(4) The number and percentage of eligible foster care youth who are enrolled in the prekindergarten program under IC 12-17.2-7.2.

(5) The number and percentage of foster care youth who passed the reading skills evaluation administered under IC 20-32-8.5-2.

(6) The number and percentage of foster care youth enrolled in schools, disaggregated by the category or designation of the school under IC 20-31-8-3.

(7) The number and percentage of foster care youth enrolled in schools, disaggregated by the type of school, including public schools, charter schools, and secure private facilities (as defined in IC 31-9-2-115).

     (e) Not later than June 30, 2019, the department shall:

(1) after consulting with the department of child services, develop a remediation plan concerning foster care youth; and

(2) submit a copy of the remediation plan to the following:

(A) The state board.

(B) The department of child services.

(C) The legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.

     (f) Before April 1, 2019, and before April 1 each year thereafter, the department shall submit the report described in subsection (d) to the following:

(1) Department of child services.

(2) Legislative council in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6.

As added by P.L.186-2018, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.246-2023, SEC.25; P.L.150-2024, SEC.4.