IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 733 
Recognizing the importance of improving the high school graduation rate 
of foster youth. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 10, 2007 
Mr. WELLER of Illinois (for himself, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. ENGLISH of Penn-
sylvania, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, and Mrs. BACHMANN) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and 
Labor 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the importance of improving the high school 
graduation rate of foster youth. 
Whereas an average of about 7,000 students become dropouts 
from high school in the United States every school day; 
Whereas, in an average week during the 2006 school year, 
about 8 percent of youth ages 16 through 19 were nei-
ther enrolled in school nor working; 
Whereas about 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year; 
Whereas about 84 percent of people in the United States 25 
years and older have completed high school, but only 
about half of foster youth graduate from high school; 
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•HRES 733 IH 
Whereas many children entering foster care may have edu-
cational deficits and therefore need additional attention 
in order to graduate in a timely manner; 
Whereas for foster youth aging out of the foster care system, 
1 in 4 will be incarcerated within the first 2 years after 
leaving the system and over 1 in 5 will become homeless 
at some time after age 18; 
Whereas high school dropouts are more likely than graduates 
to be periodically unemployed, to go on government as-
sistance, or to become incarcerated; 
Whereas median earnings in 2006 for those who have not 
completed high school were $18,641 per year, and me-
dian earnings for those completing high school was 40 
percent higher at $26,123 per year; 
Whereas, in 2006, the poverty rate for those with less than 
a high school education was about twice as high as for 
those who have completed high school—23.7 percent 
versus 11.5 percent; 
Whereas graduating from high school leads to higher lifetime 
earnings, better health, fewer teen births, parents who 
raise healthier and better educated children, lower crime, 
less reliance on government programs and services, and 
higher participation in civic activities such as voting and 
volunteering; 
Whereas countless social workers, judges, foster parents, ad-
vocates, and others are working tirelessly to help foster 
youth; 
Whereas the months of September and October mark the 
start of a new school year; and 
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•HRES 733 IH 
Whereas the start of the school year is an opportunity to en-
courage all students to stay in school at least until grad-
uating from high school: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the importance of increasing the 
rate at which foster youth graduate from high 
school; 
(2) expresses concern that the current high 
school graduation rate of foster youth is too low; and 
(3) supports efforts to improve the high school 
graduation rate of foster youth, including through 
increased coordination between child welfare and 
educational agencies. 
Æ 
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