Many schools have successfully reduced the effects of student mobility through awareness campaigns, classroom strategies, and community support programs. Barbara Buell of the Chicago Panel on School Policy notes that, when looking at school reform and ways to raise student achievement, “people often forget about student mobility and the role it plays.” These sites help illuminate the issues surrounding student mobility.
The McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the federal law that entitles children who are homeless to a free, appropriate public education, and requires schools to remove barriers to their enrollment, attendance, and success in school. Congress recently reauthorized the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth program. This Web page provides up-to-date information on the act, as well as resources for advocates, teachers, service providers, and administrators.
Staying Put Chicago
The Web site of the Chicago Panel on School Policy provides background on its unique program designed to decrease mobility and improve student transfer processes throughout school systems. The panel is a nonprofit organization that advocates for quality education in the Chicago public schools.
ERIC Digests
These digests provide succinct overviews of the issues related to mobile students. Many of the digests on mobility address the specific needs of migrant students.
- “Highly Mobile Students: Educational Problems and Possible Solutions” http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed338745.html
- “Migrant Students Who Leave School Early: Strategies for Retrieval” http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed335179.html
- “Migrant Students at the Secondary Level: Issues and Opportunities for Change” http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed296814.html
- “The Migrant Student Record Transfer System (MRSTS): An Update” http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed357909.html
- “Instructional Strategies for Migrant Students” http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed388491.html
- “Migrant Students Attending College: Facilitating Their Success” http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed423097.html
Education World
“Student Mobility: Helping Children Cope With a Moving Experience”
Dealing mainly with the psychological aspects of changing schools, this online article provides parents and teachers with useful suggestions for making moves easier for kids. This article includes a list of additional resources.
NCREL—Educational Policy Publications: Student Mobility
The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) provides readers with a thorough view of the issues involved in student mobility and gives special attention to mobility in rural areas. A research review explores the prevalence of mobility and its effect on students and schools. This site also highlights federal, state, and local initiatives that address mobility, as well as suggestions, strategies, and additional resources that can be used by virtually any school district.
Education Week
“Moving Targets”
Through anecdotal and research-driven evidence, this article explores the key issues surrounding student mobility. The article surveys a wide range of programs implemented to combat mobility and includes resources for further investigation.