Barriers are factors that impede a student from getting to school. While some barriers affect families in low-income communities more, others such as transportation cut across all income levels.

Negative School Experiences include a range of challenges, such as bullying or unfair disciplinary practices, that cause a student or a student's family  to avoid school.

Lack of Engagement is the result of factors such as the  absence of a relationship with at least one caring adult,  or culturally relevant and engaging instruction, which results in a student feeling little or no  connection to school.

Misconceptions are common ideas about attendance that families or students believe to be true but are not. For example, too often missing class is only seen as a problem  if absences are unexcused.