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High student mobility seems to occur as frequently in rural districts as in urban districts, but little research has focused specifically on rural student mobility. Correlations between characteristics of rural communities, the current state of rural schools, and the factors that contribute to high student mobility suggest that student mobility is a substantial issue in rural areas. This issue becomes timely with the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, which reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act's Education for Homeless Children and Youth. To comply with the Act, states and districts must recognize student mobility as a barrier to student achievement and address the implications. This paper discusses ways in which student mobility occurs, particular factors that increase the risk of rural families becoming mobile, and findings from research on student mobility. High student mobility negatively affects educational achievement for students and schools, creating an achievement gap between mobile and nonmobile students. Frequent relocation disrupts regula