Contact Lynn Dempsey
214-768-8617
August 10, 2016
Education Advocacy for Children in the Child Welfare System: A Symposium and Community Conversation” at SMU August 11-12
DALLAS (SMU) The W.W. Caruth, Jr. Institute for Children’s Rights at SMU Dedman School of Law is hosting a two-day “Education Advocacy for Children in the Child Welfare System: A Symposium and Community Conversation” August 11-12.
WHAT: Children in foster care face hurdles beyond the common student’s educational challenges. Foster children may face multiple residential and school changes, court appearances or other appointments during the school days, or may miss school days entirely to visit with parents and siblings.
WHY: According to national studies, children in foster care are more likely to be suspended or expelled from school and score lower on statewide standardized tests. These students are also more likely to repeat a grade, are less likely to graduate, and are more likely to drop out of school entirely. The Texas Education Agency Public Education Information Management System reports that children in foster care in Texas are more likely to leave school because they dropped out, rather than graduate. These students also have lower high school achievements, are more likely to be in special education, and are less likely to be in the gifted and talented programs.
WHEN: August 11 at 6:30 p.m. the symposium opens with a reception and a keynote address by Regina Calcaterra, The New York Times best-selling author of “Etched in Sand”. Ms. Calcaterra’s memoir details her story of resilience and determination, detailing how she and her siblings survived growing up homeless on Long Island.
August 12, 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. multi-disciplinary presenters, participants, and stakeholders in the child welfare system: educators, health care providers, foster agencies, lawyers, social workers, foster parents, and former foster children.
WHERE: SMU Dedman School of Law’s Karcher Auditorium (Storey Hall) on the SMU Campus, 3315 Daniel Ave., Dallas
DETAILS / SPEAKERS/SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
MEDIA PARKING: For interviews related to the Symposium, contact Lynn Dempsey at or 214-768-8617.
THE W.W. CARUTH, JR. INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AT THE SMU DEDMAN SCHOOL OF LAW
The W.W. Caruth, Jr. Institute for Children’s Rights at the SMU Dedman School of Law has a mission to pursue innovative, bold theories and projects to address the fundamental, overarching challenges of child abuse and neglect. The Institute has set its current focus on education advocacy for children in the child welfare system. Diane M. Sumoski, Esq., the Director of the Institute as well as the Director and Supervising Attorney of SMU Law’s W.W. Caruth, Jr. Child Advocacy Clinic stated, “To plan this Symposium, we brought together a dedicated group of people working for organizations that are devoted to improving the educational success of children in the child welfare system. This Symposium is our collaborative effort answer the call of the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families, to raise awareness, collaborate, educate, and, ultimately, make a difference in the lives of these children who constitute our future.”
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SMU is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, SMU enrolls approximately 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.
The School of Law at SMU was founded in 1925. It was named Dedman School of Law in 2001 in honor of Dallas benefactors Nancy and Robert H. Dedman, Sr., and their family. SMU Dedman Law enjoys a national and international reputation of distinction. It is among the most competitive law schools in the country for admission, as well as one of the most successful in the placement of its graduates.