Terrance is an eighth-grade student with multiple foster placements. Which approach is most effective for obtaining his academic and behavioral history?

• A. Schedule an interview with Terrance's new foster parents
• B. Call Terrance's previous school
• C. Consult with Terrance's case worker
• D. Contract Terrance's previous foster parents

Answer: (C)

When a student has multiple foster placements, the most reliable way to get a complete academic and behavioral history is to consult with the youth’s case worker. The case worker coordinates services across placements and schools, and they have the authority and access to share verified information with proper consent. They can provide a full picture, including prior schools, IEPs or 504 plans, behavior supports, attendance patterns, services received, and placement history, along with context that helps you interpret the data and plan appropriate supports.

Other options fall short in different ways. Interviewing new foster parents might yield helpful impressions, but they may not have the full official record or timely access to historical data. Calling the previous school can produce records but may involve delays, privacy hurdles, or gaps in context. Contracting with previous foster parents isn’t appropriate for obtaining formal history and doesn’t guarantee a complete or authorized record. Partnering with the case worker ensures a comprehensive, coordinated, and ethically shared history to guide intervention.