New agreement hopes to improve education of those under the care of CAS

By Katrina Geenevasen

A new initiative launched by local school boards and the Children’s Aid Society is aimed at seeing more teens graduating from high school.

Kate Lewis-Smith, a coordinator of the Partnering for Student Success Agreement, said the agreement hopes to improve the educational experiences of those in the care of the society.

“It really is a partnership that’s evolved to address the education of youth in care,” said Lewis-Smith. “There is a significant difference in the graduation rates of children in care versus those in the general population.”

Lewis-Smith said children who have a history of frequently changing schools have a harder time getting a high school diploma than other children in the community.

This is problematic because education leads to employment and effective participation in community life.

“So we’re looking at the special needs of those in care, and rising to the need,” said Lewis-Smith.

Four local Children’s Aid Societies and three local Boards of Education are a part of the new agreement.

Collectively, they hope to help local youth “realize their full potential”.

In a press release, Mehroon Kassam, chair of the crown ward education championship team, said children and youth need someone to believe in them, and someone who will advocate on their behalf.

“We believe that children and youth in care have a right to be protected, cared for and educated in a way that maximizes their life opportunities,” said Kassam.