Effects of student mobility on academic performance

This action research project examined the effects of student mobility on academic performance. Student mobility is defined as students moving from one school to another for reasons other than academic promotion. Students in grades 9 and 10 and the faculty involved in their education in a West Central Minnesota school district during the 2007-2008 school year were surveyed. The NWEA test scores for this same group were also collected and separated into mobile versus non-mobile students. The scores of each group were compared to see if a negative discrepancy was present. The findings of this study revealed that there is a discrepancy in academic scores between mobile and non-mobile students. Furthermore, the likelihood of mobile students graduating with their peers goes down considerably with the more moves a student makes. Results of this study will provide relevant information for educators interested in assisting students who are mobile.