Student MobilityStudent Mobility

Stability is fundamental to progressStability is fundamental to progress

WholenessWholeness

❂ Solutions to problems of student mobility Solutions to problems of student mobility are based on improving the broader social are based on improving the broader social problems of which student mobility is a problems of which student mobility is a reflection. Stability, the foundation of the reflection. Stability, the foundation of the fundamentals of progress, supports fundamentals of progress, supports adaptability, integration, purification and adaptability, integration, purification and growthgrowth

The ProblemThe Problem

❂ What are some problems associated with What are some problems associated with student mobilitystudent mobility• for the mobile student?for the mobile student?• for the teacher?for the teacher?• for the school?for the school?

The mobile student is...The mobile student is...

❂ more likely more likely • to be low-income, migrant, LEPto be low-income, migrant, LEP• to have lower grades and test scoresto have lower grades and test scores• to be retained a gradeto be retained a grade• to be in special educationto be in special education• to have behavior problemsto have behavior problems• to dropout to dropout

❂ less likely to be living with two biological less likely to be living with two biological parentsparents

Urban student mobilityUrban student mobility

Kids Mobility ProjectKids Mobility Project

Effects of student mobility on Effects of student mobility on achievementachievement

Main Point #1Main Point #1

❂ Student mobility affects not only the mobile Student mobility affects not only the mobile student, but the teacher, the class, the student, but the teacher, the class, the school and society. An examination of school and society. An examination of student mobility shows clearly how student mobility shows clearly how stability is the foundation of the steps of stability is the foundation of the steps of progress. progress.

Recommendations for Recommendations for community organizations:community organizations:

❂ school attendance: a strong social valueschool attendance: a strong social value❂ integrate social services between integrate social services between

communitiescommunities❂ safe, quality, affordable housingsafe, quality, affordable housing

Recommendations for Schools:Recommendations for Schools:

❂ effective, proactive monitoring of student effective, proactive monitoring of student attendance attendance

❂ integrated transition policies between integrated transition policies between districts districts

Recommendations for SchoolsRecommendations for Schools

❂ later starting time❂ letters home describing negative effects of mobility on

grades/learning❂ state-national record transfer system❂ keep students in the same school for the whole year, even keep students in the same school for the whole year, even

when they move. when they move. ❂ core district curriculum w/ consistent standardscore district curriculum w/ consistent standards❂ examine patterns of mobility within the school and adjust

curriculum (length of unit, pacing)

Recommendations for TeachersRecommendations for Teachers

❂ maintain high expectations❂ be explicit about expectations❂ give mobile students opportunities for responsibility❂ be knowledgeable about curriculum at other schools❂ use variety of assessments❂ use flexible classroom organization❂ prepare students when moving to another school❂ watch for signs of distress

Main Point #2Main Point #2

❂ The proactive support of the whole The proactive support of the whole community, including community community, including community organizations, school districts, teachers organizations, school districts, teachers and parents can profoundly improve and parents can profoundly improve student mobility problems. Enlightened student mobility problems. Enlightened educators will naturally have a positive educators will naturally have a positive effect on student mobility. effect on student mobility.

CoConnecting the Parts to the Wholennecting the Parts to the Whole

❂ Many urban and migrant families have a mobile Many urban and migrant families have a mobile lifestyle.lifestyle.

❂ Solutions to student mobility involve communities Solutions to student mobility involve communities working together to improve life for all members.working together to improve life for all members.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------❂ Transcendental Consciousness is the home of all Transcendental Consciousness is the home of all

knowledgeknowledge❂ The enlightened individual expresses the values of The enlightened individual expresses the values of

stability, adaptability, integration, purification and stability, adaptability, integration, purification and growthgrowth