Teachers Forced to Foot School Costs
Schools across the country routinely complain about budget shortfalls. But a recent study shows that teachers are doing more than speaking up for their classrooms – they're funding them. According to findings from the Teacher Buyer Behavior report for 2006-2007, from Quality Education Data, Inc. (QED), an education market research firm, teachers regularly take money out of their own pockets, in order to pay for classroom supplies.
In fact, teachers of grades K-12 spend an average of $475 of their own money, per year, on class materials. For elementary school teachers, the average is a whopping $539. "The findings for the new Teacher Buyer Behavior report reinforce teachers' deep commitment to educating children, regardless of the price tag," says Andy Lacy, QED's general manager.
Close to 1,000 teachers participated in the survey. The majority said they used personal money to buy student rewards (85 percent), materials for classroom decoration (75 percent), and professional materials (59 percent). And they expect to continue doing so. Only a third of teachers felt more funds would arrive in upcoming years. In fact, many felt that their personal contributions would need to increase in the coming years, in order to get the job done.
So what kind of supplies are the most needed? For middle school teachers, it's materials that support differentiated instruction. Elementary school teachers also lack these types of supplies, but report needing something a lot more simple... books. Especially nonfiction trade paperbacks.
When the holidays roll around, or when your class decides to give an appreciation gift, make sure you ask your teacher what they'd like, rather than going all out with an apple-themed sweatshirt or a Teacher Of The Year director's chair. Chances are, they'll want something surprisingly simple – supplies that help keep their classroom humming, and their kids inspired.
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Comments from readers
than that each year. I spend about $1500.00 per year.
I rarely buy student rewards anymore. My money is spent on basic supplies such as construction paper, glue and pencil sharpeners.
A large percent is spent on teacher resource items to differentiate instruction and create learning centers. Another large expense is to replace consumable materials for science. There are only enough supplies for one school year. After that, it is up to us.
It feels wrong. I am observed and evaluated based on the district’s curriculum, yet to follow that curriculum I need the supplies. Do I buy them, or do I take an unsatisfactory evaluation?
Finally, during a district wide professional development day this year, the lady who is in charge of the science curriculum, passed out a paper to every teacher. She explained that it is MANDATORY for every student to have a science inquiry notebook this school year. The paper listed the choices starting with the most desirable (a black and white composition notebook) to the least desirable (a spiral notebook) and included the names of stores and current prices "for our convenience!" Can you believe that?????? Here is my district telling me where I can go buy their supplies!!! I thought that took a lot of nerve. I don't care if notebooks are ten cents. I refused to buy them because that is NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY!