Teachers were surveyed about student performance and behavior in public K–12 schools. The majority expressed concerns, with 48% rating academic performance as fair or poor and 49% saying the same about behavior. High-poverty schools had more negative ratings compared to low-poverty ones. The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted students, with most teachers reporting lasting negative effects on behavior, academic performance, and emotional well-being. Top concerns at schools included poverty, chronic absenteeism, anxiety, and depression. High school teachers identified chronic absenteeism and mental health issues as major problems more frequently than elementary school teachers. Additionally, teachers felt they had insufficient influence over discipline practices, particularly regarding parental involvement.
