Suggestions and Strategies

Additional strategies to reduce the negative effects of student mobility include professional development of school staff; identification of families in need of services; newcomer programs to help students become accustomed to a new environment; effective records-transfer policies; supportive attendance and disciplinary policies; outreach to parents and families regarding programs, policies, and services offered by the school and community.

Professional Development for School Staff

All school staff should receive general awareness training regarding the needs and circumstances of children who are highly mobile. If specific categories of mobile students are present in an LEA (local education agency), such as migrant or homeless students, additional professional development should be provided in order to increase staff's sensitivity to and understanding of children's circumstances and needs. This is particularly important for staff members who are responsible for enrolling, assessing, and placing newcomer students.

Identification of Families in Need of Services

In rural school districts, the provision of and access to services often may be limited or may stigmatize families who are already struggling to meet their basic food and shelter needs. Rural school districts are uniquely positioned to identify mobile families needing services. Frequent moves or absences may alert school staff to a family crisis, presenting the school with an opportunity to intervene through outreach programs or by providing referrals that can prevent or lower the rate of student mobility and its negative effects. Partnerships with social service agencies can provide school staff with the necessary information and training to identify families in need as well as to develop programs to support students.

Newcomer Programs

Programs to welcome new students and their families can facilitate a smoother transition for the student; provide an opportunity for preliminary academic assessment and placement; foster positive interactions among students, families, and school staff; help parents understand school policies and goals; develop home support systems for learning; encourage family involvement with the school and decision making; and provide families and students with access to useful information about the school and community. Some programs use "buddy systems" to pair a new student with an existing student who can help the newcomer navigate the new building, schedule, and rules.

Effective and Efficient Records Transfer

Schools can facilitate efficient and effective records transfers by educating parents on moving and records-transfer requirements. Since moves can be either sudden or planned, school districts should implement policies that facilitate sending records, requesting records, and following up on records requests. One school district respondent stated that parents fill out a records-transfer request when withdrawing their student. By facilitating records transfers prior to or coinciding with a move, schools can reduce the time it takes for records to reach the student's new school. In the case of receiving a student without records, a preliminary assessment of academic needs can increase accuracy in placement, identify needed academic support, and reduce the likelihood of academic and social disruption.

Supportive Attendance and Disciplinary Policies

Since high mobility is strongly correlated with attendance and behavioral problems, punitive attendance and disciplinary policies can increase the chances of school failure. After a certain number of absences (altogether or per academic period), a supportive attendance policy is one that initiates certain types of academic and/or social support, or one that encourages meeting with a student and family at a mutually convenient time to review reasons for absences and create a plan for improving attendance. Similarly, a supportive disciplinary policy might initiate an evaluation to determine whether academic and/or social support is needed, as well as begin to provide academic and/or social support during the disciplinary period.

Outreach to Parents and Families

Outreach programs, including home visitation programs, can help parents and families understand school programs and policies as well as community services that might be useful for the family. Again, partnerships with social service agencies help both agencies and schools share and provide helpful information to families. Conducting workshops for and mailing information to all community members casts a wide net for general information about community services and programs. Home visitation programs help to reduce the stigma for families with specific needs while still connecting families with useful services and information.

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