Migrancy of students and families has been identified as a risk factor for inner city students, both through practical experiences in Winnipeg School Division and through research findings from around the world.
For many years the response of the educational system was to address the issue through increased supports within the schools. However, it became evident that this approach was not effective in ensuring academic success for students and did not necessarily reduce dropout rates before graduation.
In 1991 efforts were begun to identify agencies which are impacted by migrancy, and to bring them to the table to discuss common concerns and brainstorm for solutions. In fall 1992 the present Inner city Migrancy Steering Committee was constituted. It was noted at that time that highest migrancy rate in a Winnipeg school Division school for the 1991-92 year was 84%, and that the trend was an upward one. An example of how this translated into reality for students was the student who moved 16 times within the first few years of school. Migrancy initiatives that arose from these efforts are outlined here.
Research findings were compiled to give an empirical base to the information that the committee prepared to raise public awareness.
One major outcome of the migrancy committee was the development of the housing registry which allows people to find available rental housing in there current school area and therefore not have to move.
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