The Intersection of Pandemic-Era Student and Teacher Mobility: Evidence From the St. Louis Metropolitan Region

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Abstract

Over the COVID-19 pandemic, many school districts experienced heightened student and educator mobility, exacerbating disruptions to instruction and student learning. In this paper, we examine the intersection of student and teacher mobility and its relationship with school characteristics and student outcomes using detailed panel data pertaining to the population of St. Louis-area students and teachers, respectively, including both pre-pandemic and pandemic-era school years. We find teacher turnover and student retention are positively associated, while teacher retention also positively predicts student ELA and math scores, and fewer disciplinary infractions. Variation in student retention between schools, but not within schools, predicts student ELA and math scores. Future analyses will examine additional high school student outcomes including attendance, graduation, and college-going behavior.

Authors

• J. Cameron Anglum, Lehigh University

• Jason F. Jabbari, Washington University in St. Louis

• Yung Chun, Washington University in St. Louis