Teachers face significant challenges with student engagement post-pandemic, as revealed in a Pew Research Center survey of over 2,500 public school teachers. Nearly half report low student interest in learning, with 58% of high school teachers seeing this as a major issue. Additionally, 72% of high school and a third of middle school teachers cite cellphone distractions as a major problem. These issues are more pronounced in high-poverty schools. Teachers also identified poverty, absenteeism, and mental health issues as key student challenges. Despite school policies, enforcing cellphone restrictions is difficult, likened to managing an addiction. Teachers believe educating students on responsible phone use is essential.
Teachers report that student apathy is a significant challenge in classrooms, and cellphones are exacerbating the issue.
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