New Publications on the WSIPP Website

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy has recently posted the following publications online:

The 2008 Washington State Legislature directed the Institute to study the effects of truancy provisions of the 1995 "Becca Bill," which requires school districts to file truancy petitions in juvenile court when students accumulate a specified number of unexcused absences. The 1995 Becca laws were implemented statewide and a random assignment study—the type of study offering the best scientific evidence—was never possible or envisioned. In addition, the available historical data do not allow us to measure a vital aspect of the Becca laws: the number of unexcused absences from school. Without this information, it is impossible to employ appropriate statistical methods to study the question of the Becca Bill’s effectiveness.

We know from our analysis that before their truancy filing, petitioned students were already at much higher risk for negative outcomes. For example, prior to receiving the truancy filing, petitioned youth had a GPA of 1.3, compared with a GPA of 2.7 for non-petitioned students. And, prior to the filing, 31 percent of the petitioned students had previously been convicted of a crime compared with 8 percent of non-petitioned students. The outcome disparities persisted. For example, of all students in Washington during the 2002–03 school year, only 20 percent of those with petitions graduated from high school by 2008, compared with 77 percent of their non-petitioned peers. Similarly, 20 percent of the students with petitions were subsequently convicted of a crime in Washington compared to 4 percent of students without petitions. (February 2010) Marna Miller, Tali Klima, Corey Nunlist. #10-02-2201.

http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/10-01-3902.pdf

The 2006 Legislature passed 2SHB 2002, which allowed up to 50 youth (per year) pursuing postsecondary education or training to remain in a foster care placement until they reached age 21. The bill directed the Institute to “conduct a study measuring outcomes for foster youth who have received continued support,” and “include measurements of any savings to the state and local government.” This evaluation compares outcomes for Foster Care to 21 participants with a matched group of foster youth who completed high school before the program was available. Based on this analysis, we found that youth enrolled in the program attended college for a longer period in the first two years after high school graduation, received food stamps for fewer total months, and were less likely to be arrested for a misdemeanor or felony crime. Positive outcomes associated with Foster Care to 21 saved taxpayers $1.35 for every dollar spent on the program, according to our estimates. (January 2010) Mason Burley, Stephanie Lee. #10-01-3902.

http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/10-01-3901.pdf

The 2009 Legislature directed the Institute to “evaluate the adequacy of and access to financial aid and independent living programs for youth in foster care. The examination shall include opportunities to improve efficiencies within these programs.” In the past decade, the number of programs focused on Washington foster youth transitioning to adulthood has grown from three to 15. We estimate that 3,365 youth accessed one or more of these programs in 2009—roughly 60 percent of those eligible for the state’s Independent Living program (for foster youth ages 15 to 21). Over $11 million in total was spent on these programs―approximately $3,300 per youth. The state spent close to $5 million, nearly half of which went toward housing programs, over a quarter toward college preparation and student financial aid, nearly a fifth toward health insurance, and 5 percent toward helping youth finish high school.

In Washington, 34 percent of students in foster care graduate on-time from high school, compared with 71 percent of their non-foster peers. We recommend the legislature consider reallocating funding to help more foster youth finish high school. The 2009 legislation (HB 2106) directing performance contracts for child welfare services offers an opportunity to consolidate foster youth transition services into the smallest number of contracts and emphasize key outcome measures. (January 2010) Shawn Whiteman, Roxanne Lieb, Mason Burley. #10-01-3901.

If you have any questions, please call (360) 586-2677.

To view all recently released WSIPP reports visit: http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/date.asp?time=6