Survey: 23% of teachers cite poor student behavior as reason for considering exit

Teacher Tapp, a teacher survey platform, has highlighted student behavior as a primary reason for teacher attrition. This issue ranks among the top concerns at elementary and middle school levels.

According to a December 2024 EdWeek Research Center survey, student behavior in schools has significantly worsened since the pandemic. The survey found that 72% of educators reported increased misbehavior compared to fall 2019. Nearly half of the respondents indicated that students are misbehaving "a lot" more, which marks an increase from previous years. Educators attribute this trend to declining student motivation, increased classroom disruptions, and a growing toll on teacher morale.

MyPayMySay states that teachers increasingly face legal risks due to student behavior, making personal liability insurance essential. Educators can be held liable for incidents such as improper discipline or negligence leading to student injuries, even when acting in good faith. Professional liability insurance provides financial protection by covering legal defense costs and potential settlements.

New federal guidance encourages schools to use functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) more broadly to address problem behaviors and reduce suspensions. The U.S. Department of Education found these tools effective in identifying root causes of behaviors and creating targeted strategies for improvement. K-12 Dive reports that applying FBAs and BIPs proactively can reduce disruptions like name-calling or work avoidance while supporting positive classroom environments.

According to its website, Teacher Tapp is a daily survey app allowing educators to share their views on topics such as education policy, workload, and classroom issues. The platform gathers data offering meaningful insights to help inform decisions throughout the education sector.