How Does Student Mobility Affect New Orleans Students?
A Research Snapshot by Beth Glenn analyzes student mobility in New Orleans schools.
How Does Student Mobility Affect New Orleans Students?
Published
by Beth Glenn
Student mobility is a common concern, particularly in high-poverty areas where mobility rates are high. There is some evidence that mobility may [undermine educational outcomes](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0002831218822828). A related concern is that school choice policies, which may have certain benefits, might lead to even higher mobility rates. This study from Non-Resident Research Fellow Beth Glenn analyzes New Orleans students’ school moves made between 2015 – 16 and 2018 – 19 and draws the following conclusions: 1. New Orleans’ almost-all charter district and nearby Jefferson Parish’s more traditional school district had similar levels of student mobility. 2. New Orleans students who were Black or economically disadvantaged moved more frequently than their New Orleans peers. 3. New Orleans students who moved one or more times had lower achievement outcomes before their moves than students who never moved. The study focuses on moves that happened during the school year and those that occurred when students moved during the summer from a school that offered their next grade the following year. On one hand, these types of moves may have negative effects on student outcomes because students lose relationships from their previous school and may experience gaps or repetition in curriculum. On the other hand, students may benefit from such moves if they are moving to a higher quality school or a school that better suits their needs. While student mobility due to school closures and takeovers may occur in school choice settings, this study excludes such moves.