Abstract
Brief Literature Review
Student mobility can present a multitude of challenges for teachers, administrators, schools districts, as well as the students and families involved (Schuler, 1990). School processes and overall functioning are diminished as consistent teaching of standards and skills are often disrupted when teachers must attempt to accommodate new students. Such moves are oftentimes the result of changes in a student's or his/her family's life (Kerbow, 1996). They can vary in how voluntary, predictable, or desirable they may be for the student and the family.
Statement of the Problem
Districts across the nation have yet to establish adequate record-keeping methods for mobile students or a uniform policy to adequately meet the pressing social and academic needs that mobile students are facing on a daily basis (Lash & Kirkpatrick, 1990). This study investigated the relationship between student mobility and academic performance.
Methodology
The writer analyzed the California Standards Test (CST) data for the mobile student population at Nor Cal Elementary School in the Nor Cal Unified School District. A staff survey using a Likert scale regarding mobile students' academic performance and social adaptations was given to gauge teacher reactions to the mobile students in their classrooms. An additional survey was administered to teachers in regards to any perceived contextual constraints that existed on campus. This data was used to compare how mobile students were performing as compared to the stable, non-mobile student population.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Mobile students at Nor Cal Elementary performed lower on their CSTs than their non-mobile peers at each grade level, second through sixth grade. Currently, no additional resources are provided to teachers to address mobility issues in their classrooms while student records often take weeks to months to arrive, making it difficult for teachers and administrators to pinpoint specific areas of need for their mobile students. A uniform district policy regarding the tracking and transferring of student data would undoubtedly help to lower school and administrative backlog while serving to give teachers the timely information they need to immediately begin the process of addressing the academic and social needs of their mobile student population.