Student mobility is the concept of a student changing schools some time during the school year, which is often caused by moving residences. In Cuyahoga County, 16 out of 100 school-aged children in moved in the past year.
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention notes that moving three or more times in one year, often called “multiple moves,” has been associated with negative health outcomes in children. Children who move frequently are more likely to have chronic conditions and poor physical health. They may also be less likely to have consistent health insurance coverage.
Academic performance and impact from mutiple moves
The more frequently a Cleveland Municiple School District student moves, the lower their academic performance and can lead to a 30% increase in the likelihood that a student will drop out. Test scores were the highest for students who had no school moves or only one summer move over the previous two years.
Insights/Notes
- The number of school changes over two years is an independent predictor of test scores. There is a statistically significant relationship between more school moves and lower test score. Race is also an independent predictor of test scores.
- Children of ages 5-17 in Cleveland were slightly more likely to have moved than those in the suburbs to have moved (18% vs. 15%). The vast majority of kids who moved stayed within Cuyahoga County (82% of movers).
- https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-health/interventions-resources/housing-instability
Source(s):
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2018 1-year estimates.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2018 1-year estimates.