Student misbehavior in American classrooms continues to worsen years after the pandemic, and a growing number of teachers say a lack of parental support is a major part of the problem.
Data from the EdWeek Research Center's 2026 State of Teaching survey, which polled more than 5,800 teachers nationwide, found that 35% of respondents said their students' behavior was "a lot worse" than the previous year, while 64% reported that behavior has worsened overall.
The problem is especially severe at the elementary level, where 76% of teachers said behavior has declined, according to The Hill.
These findings build on a trend that has only intensified since students returned to classrooms after COVID-19 shutdowns. A separate EdWeek survey from December 2024 found that 72% of educators said students were misbehaving more than in fall 2019, up from 66% in 2021. A nationwide NEA poll of 2,889 educators found that 81% said students are acting out, making behavior nearly as pressing a concern as pay.
Teachers describe students who are more disruptive, defiant, and sometimes physically aggressive. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center report, 80% of teachers said they address behavioral problems at least a few times a week, with 58% saying it happens daily.
In Delaware, a state education survey found the average teacher spends seven hours per month managing outbursts, with middle school teachers losing closer to 10 hours of instruction time, Education Week reported.
When asked what would help, teachers consistently pointed to parents. In the Education Week survey, 58% said parents need instruction on teaching their children to behave in school. More than half also said limiting how much parents can undermine school consequences would have a major positive impact.
Teachers say when they reach out about issues, they are often met with defensiveness. "When you call parents to speak to their child, either you're not getting an answer, or you're getting negative feedback, as if you're saying something bad about their child," one Chicago teacher told Education Week. "We're just looking for their support."
Experts say the roots of the crisis run deep. Children born during the pandemic missed critical early social experiences, and a 2025 survey found that 76% of elementary school leaders agreed the pandemic continues to harm behavioral development. Excessive screen time, rising child poverty, and reduced recess have also been cited as factors.
Schools are responding with varied strategies. Some have adopted restorative practices focused on conflict resolution, while states like West Virginia have passed laws giving teachers more authority to remove disruptive students. Still, more than 75% of educators in the NEA survey reported a lack of parental support in handling discipline, as per the Los Angeles Times.
