Education: foster youth.

(1) Existing law expresses the Legislature's intent that all pupils in foster care who are homeless, as defined, have a meaningful opportunity to meet the pupil academic achievement standards to which all pupils are held. Educators and specified juvenile justice entities must work together to maintain school placements and educational programs and resources, as specified. In all instances, educational and school placement decisions must be based on the best interests of the child. This bill would define "best interests of the child" for purposes of that provision. (2) If out-of-home placement is used to attain case plan goals, existing law requires the decision regarding choice of placement to be based upon selection of a safe setting that, among other things, is available in close proximity to the parent's home, to the child's school, or both. This bill instead would require a setting that is available in close proximity to the parent's home and promotes educational stability.