Student Barriers to Education Checklist – School Attendance Challenges

💜 Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being 0 / 12 ▾

Anxiety about school or specific classes

Low mood or depression

Frequent stress or feeling overwhelmed

Emotional dysregulation or difficulty managing feelings

School-related anxiety or school avoidance

Low self-confidence or self-esteem

Feelings of loneliness or isolation

Fear of failure or perfectionism

Difficulty coping with change or transitions

Experiences of grief or loss

Self-harm concerns or significant emotional distress

Other concerns related to mental health

🧡 Physical Health 0 / 10 ▾

Chronic illness or medical condition

Frequent headaches, stomach aches, or physical complaints

Fatigue or low energy

Poor sleep or insomnia

Irregular sleep schedule

Medication side effects

Nutrition or food insecurity concerns

Physical disability affecting school participation

💛 Learning & Academic Barriers 0 / 10 ▾

Difficulty understanding lessons or instructions

Struggling with reading, writing, or math

Learning disability or suspected learning difficulty

Attention or concentration difficulties

Executive functioning challenges (organization, time management, planning)

Feeling academically behind peers

Lack of academic supports or accommodations

Overwhelming workload or assignments

Difficulty with online learning or technology

💙 Social & Relational Barriers ▾

Bullying or peer/school staff conflict

Cyberbullying

Feeling unsafe at school

Lack of sense of belonging at school

Negative relationships with peers

Difficulty forming friendships

Cultural or identity-based discrimination

Feeling misunderstood by teachers or staff

Lack of a trusted adult at school

🧠 Neurodiversity & Disability Needs 0 / 7 ▾

Classroom environment not meeting learning needs

Autism spectrum differences

ADHD or attention-related challenges

Sensory sensitivities

Difficulty with transitions between activities or classes

Need for individualized learning support

Lack of appropriate accommodations

Difficulty navigating school systems or expectations

🏡 Family & Home Circumstances 0 / 10 ▾

Family stress or conflict

Family illness or caregiving responsibilities

Housing instability or homelessness

Financial stress or poverty

Food insecurity

Lack of quiet space for homework

Limited access to the internet or technology

Family mental health challenges

Parental work schedules affecting supervision

Family relocation or immigration stress

🚌 Transportation & Access 0 / 6 ▾

Difficulty getting to school

Long commute or unreliable transportation

Safety concerns on route to school

Bus or transportation issues

Weather-related barriers

Physical accessibility challenges

🏫 Systemic & Institutional Barriers 0 / 7 ▾

Strict attendance policies that do not consider health or disability needs

Lack of flexibility in scheduling or learning approaches

Limited access to counselling or support services

Long wait times for assessments or supports

Communication challenges between school and family

Language barriers

Lack of culturally responsive supports

🌍 Community & Environmental Factors 0 / 6 ▾

Lack of community support

Exposure to violence or unsafe neighbourhood conditions

Limited access to youth programs or activities

Social isolation outside school

Negative peer influences

Substance use concerns