Luis Reyes describes how he has overcome the temptations of the streets to apply himself academically. He’s close to graduating from high school and is making preparations for college. He looks at why many foster youth lack direction and can’t focus on school.

Prompts for discussion and/or writing:

--Luis almost lost himself to the streets, before a violent encounter made him go back to school. Has anything changed your attitude about school at some point in your life? What was it? How did your attitude change?

--Do you feel education is important to your future? Why or why not?

--Luis finds out he has a talent for writing and wants to develop this talent in college. Do you have a special talent you want to develop in school? What is it?

--Why do so many foster youth have a hard time focusing on school in general and on college in particular?

--One foster youth tells Luis, “I don’t have a plan. I’m waiting for a plan to come to me.” Do you have a plan for college or for life after foster care? If so, what is it? If not, what keeps you from coming up with a plan?

Group activity: Youth can work in pairs or in small groups. Tell the groups they are in charge of educational services in their agency. They are to come up with new ideas and rules to help foster youth plan for their education after leaving foster care. For example, they could recommend that adult mentors work individually with foster youth in planning their education. Go around the room, list the suggestions on the board, and discuss.