Twenty-fifth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

A growing number of children are entering the foster care system every year. The trauma experienced by these children negatively impacts them. There has been limited research relating to teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of foster children’s needs. This study sought to further research by determining current teachers’ perceptions of foster children through a survey study. The survey results indicated the necessity for increasing awareness among teachers regarding foster children’s unique needs and challenges. This study has brought a heightened awareness of the teachers’ perceptions towards this growing population of students relative to the challenges facing foster children. Teachers must be aware of the issues these students face while providing adequate interventions to meet the needs of these students. This amplified awareness can influence professional development offerings to ensure teachers are supplied access to information to help them become more capable of providing more accurately guided treatments, strategies and interventions so that these children can have improved attachment capabilities, and thus break the foster care cycle. Examining the perceptions of teachers can also inform higher education institutions of what content needs to be added to teacher education preparatory programs.