ABSTRACT
Children spend over 1,000 hours a year at school, not including before and after school activities. Making those hours a positive experience is the job of all stakeholders. Educators are seldom aware of the challenges and issues that adopted students face. These issues include language and skill acquisition, behavioral adjustments, microaggressions, trauma, and the effect of separation and loss. Schools and districts are often underprepared and lack the knowledge to adjust curricula to be sensitive to the history and needs of adopted children. School–family partnerships can be instrumental to the success of the adopted student. This chapter provides the theoretical framework for educators to begin to understand the challenges that manifest in schools. Furthermore, it provides supports for teachers when building mutually trusting relationships. The supports and interventions suggested will help teachers determine the types of services and level of support necessary for the student to progress. Using a strength-based approach builds teacher credibility and leads to improved outcomes.
