What are the problems that students face?

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We asked teachers about some of the challenges students at their school are facing. Three problems topped the list:

-Poverty (53% say this is a major problem among students who attend their school)

-Chronic absenteeism (49%)

-Anxiety and depression (48%)

Poverty cuts across the urban-rural divide, with roughly equal shares of teachers in urban schools (62%) and rural schools (60%) saying this is a major problem among their students. In suburban schools, a smaller share of teachers (42%) say the same.3

Chronic absenteeism (that is, students missing a substantial number of school days) is a particular challenge at high schools, with 61% of high school teachers saying this is a major problem where they teach. By comparison, 46% of middle school teachers and 43% of elementary school teachers say the same.

Anxiety and depression are viewed as a more serious problem at the secondary school level: 69% of high school teachers and 57% of middle school teachers say this is a major problem among their students, compared with 29% of elementary school teachers.

Fewer teachers (20%) view bullying as a major problem at their school, although the share is significantly higher among middle school teachers (34%).

(This report was written based on the Pew Research Center’s report on the situation of teachers at the K-12 levels.)