Table 1-12
School program representatives reporting various issues as serious problems for mathematics and science instruction, by school level: 2012
(Percent)
 
Mathematics instruction   Science instruction
Issues Elementary Middle High Elementary Middle High
 
Student issues
High student absenteeism 8 13 16 8 13 13
Inappropriate student behavior 10 16 10 9 15 8
Low student interest in mathematics or science 14 25 30 5 11 13
Low student reading abilities 22 24 20 16 19 19
Teacher issues
Insufficient time to teach mathematics or science 13 12 10 27 17 10
Lack of opportunities for teachers to share ideas 15 14 9 20 16 13
Lack of teacher interest in mathematics or science 2 1 2 4 3 2
School issues
Inadequate funds for purchasing equipment and supplies 12 18 16 30 32 28
Lack of parental support 15 17 15 10 14 9
 

SOURCE: Banilower ER, Smith PS, Weiss IR, Malzahn KA, Campbell KM, Weis AM, Report of the 2012 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education (2013).

Science and Engineering Indicators 2014