Importance of Stability

 

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See also District-Induced Instability

Here, 'stability' refers to several factors:

1. duration of program consistency
2. duration of individual student's enrollment in a school
3. consistent classroom roster over the course of an academic year

[Documentation needed.]

Several studies strongly suggest that typically developing, underachieving students can often make grade level expectations after about three years in a stable strong program.

Conversely, studies show that moving a student from one building to another or changing the program or staffing in a building, whether for family reasons, or due to a district intervention, can set a student back academically. Multiple transfers over several years puts students at increased risk of drop-out or late graduation.

Anecdotes from SPS:

• http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2009/10/open-thread_30.html