www.nea.org
Open in
urlscan Pro
2606:4700::6810:caf1
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/out-pocket-spending-school-supplies-adds-strain-educators
Submission: On October 18 via manual from IN — Scanned from DE
Submission: On October 18 via manual from IN — Scanned from DE
Form analysis 2 forms found in the DOM
/search
<form action="/search" class="header__search-fields u-input-text-focus-primary-medium-dark" role="search">
<div class="input-text__wrapper">
<label for="header-search" class="visuallyhidden"> Search </label>
<input type="text" class="input-text js-hide-show-focus" name="keys" id="header-search" autocomplete="off">
<div class="autocomplete-results">
<h4> Suggested Results </h4>
<ul class="autocomplete-results__list"></ul>
<a href="" class="autocomplete-results__see-all">See All</a>
</div>
</div>
<button type="submit" class="btn--large btn"> Search </button>
</form>POST all-news-articles
<form class="clearfix" method="post" novalidate="" action="all-news-articles" accept-charset="utf-8" autocomplete="on">
<div data-name="undefined" data-subview="submit_view" data-subview-index="0"></div>
<fieldset class="at-fieldset ContactInformation" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation">
<legend class="at-legend">Contact Information</legend>
<div class="at-fields">
<div class="at-row FirstName LastName"><label class="at-text FirstName" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation-FirstName">First Name<input type="text" autocomplete="given-name" x-autocompletetype="given-name" required=""
title="First Name (required)" name="FirstName" value="" maxlength="20">
</label><label class="at-text LastName" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation-LastName">Last Name<input type="text" autocomplete="family-name" x-autocompletetype="surname" required="" title="Last Name (required)" name="LastName"
value="" maxlength="25">
</label></div>
<div class="at-row at-row-solo PostalCode"><label class="at-text PostalCode" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation-PostalCode">Zip Code<input type="tel" autocomplete="postal-code" x-autocompletetype="postal-code"
pattern="^\d{5}([\-]\d{4})?$" required="" title="Zip Code (required)" name="PostalCode" value="" maxlength="10">
</label></div>
<div class="at-row at-row-solo EmailAddress"><label class="at-text EmailAddress" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation-EmailAddress">Email<input type="email" autocomplete="email" x-autocompletetype="email"
pattern="^([\w!#$%&'*+\-\/=?\^`{|}~]+\.)*[\w!#$%&'*+\-\/=?\^`{|}~]+@((((([a-zA-Z0-9]{1}[a-zA-Z0-9\-]{0,62}[a-zA-Z0-9]{1})|[a-zA-Z])\.)+[a-zA-Z]{2,62})|(\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}(:\d{1,5})?)$" required="" title="Email (required)"
name="EmailAddress" value="" maxlength="100" placeholder="email@email.com">
</label></div>
<div class="at-row at-row-solo at-row-full YesSignMeUpForUpdatesForBinder"><label class="at-check YesSignMeUpForUpdatesForBinder" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation-YesSignMeUpForUpdatesForBinder"><input type="checkbox" required=""
name="YesSignMeUpForUpdatesForBinder"> <span class="at-checkbox-title-container"><span class="at-checkbox-title" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation-YesSignMeUpForUpdatesForBinder-label">Opt in to email updates from
NEA</span></span>
</label></div>
<div class="at-row "><label class="at-text PersonalUrl" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation-PersonalUrl"> <small>(Optional)</small><input type="text" autocomplete="on" false="" title="" name="PersonalUrl" value="" maxlength="">
</label></div>
<div class="at-row ">
<div class="at-markup TrackingPixel" id="NVSignupForm538944-ContactInformation-TrackingPixel" style="display: none;"><img alt=""
src="https://secure.ngpvan.com/v1/Track/hzszcwRk60GL3WWGaCAXPA2?formSessionId=9c88ea04-ba60-4308-8c2f-523fc12908de&bName=chrome&dType=desktop&formVersion=4/27/2022 8:53:26 PM|&fUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmVhLm9yZy9uZWEtdG9kYXkvYWxsLW5ld3MtYXJ0aWNsZXMvb3V0LXBvY2tldC1zcGVuZGluZy1zY2hvb2wtc3VwcGxpZXMtYWRkcy1zdHJhaW4tZWR1Y2F0b3Jz&fRef="
style="display:none"></div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
<div class="at-form-submit clearfix">
<input type="submit" value="Subscribe" class="at-submit btn-at btn-at-primary">
</div>
</form>Text Content
Skip Navigation
Menu
Close
* Student Success
* Your Rights & Workplace
* Professional Excellence
* Advocating for Change
* Join Our Movement
Take Action
Search nea.org …
SEARCH
Close
Search
SUGGESTED RESULTS
See All
Search
* About NEA
* NEA Affiliates
* Media Center
* NEA Member Benefits
* Resource Library
* NEA Today
* All News & Articles
* Topics
* NEA Today Magazines
More NEA Sites
* EdVotes
* EdCommunities
* NEA Foundation
Contact Us
*
*
*
*
Great Public Schools Engaged Families & Communities School Health & Safety
Recruit & Retain Educators Teacher Quality Student Assessments
Fair Pay & Benefits Union & Educator Voice Student Debt Support Inclusive
Workplaces Resource Library
Just & Equitable Schools Student Engagement Professional Learning Leadership
Development Conferences & Events
Action Center Racial & Social Justice Funding for Students & Schools Educator
Pay & Benefits Every Student Succeeds Act COVID-19: Creating Safe and Just
Schools New From NEA
Become A Member Become a Community Ally Connect with Us Join a Campaign Donate
Our Mission, Vision, & Values Our Leaders Our Members Governance & Policies
Partnerships Contact Us Grants & Funding
Press Releases
All News & Articles Topics NEA Today Magazines
* All News & Articles
* Topics
* Topics
* Education Policy
* Health, Wellness, & Safety
* Professional Practice
* Racial & Social Justice
* Salary & Workplace Conditions
* NEA Today Magazines
* NEA Today Magazines
* NEA Today
* NEA Today for NEA-Retired Members
* NEA Today for Aspiring Educators
* NEA Today Past Issues
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze
site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you
consent to our use of cookies.
Accept & Close
Home NEA Today All News & Articles
NEA News
OUT-OF-POCKET SPENDING ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES ADDS TO STRAIN ON EDUCATORS
In a nation facing a severe educator shortage, why do we still expect teachers
and support staff to subsidize schools?
By: Amanda Litvinov
Published: 10/14/2022
Share
*
*
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Well over 90 percent of teachers spend their own money on school supplies
and other items their students need to succeed.
2. Just before the pandemic, educators on average spent around $500 of their
own money on classroom supplies over the course of the year. That number is
expected to be considerably higher this year.
3. Under resourced schools and the unstated expectation that educators will
spend their own money on supplies and equipment are factors that drive
educators away from the profession.
Many educators are seeing heftier credit card bills this month. That’s because
educator out-of-pocket spending on school supplies is most concentrated as they
are setting up their classrooms at the beginning of the academic year.
When NEA Today asked educators to tell us what they had spent money on so far
this year, they had a lot to say: Paper and notebooks, binders and clipboards,
crayons and pencils, dry erase markers, glue sticks, and organizing bins came up
a lot. Some said they have to purchase their own soap and hand sanitizer to
supplement what is provided by the district.
Well over 90 percent of teachers spend their own money on school supplies and
other items their students need to succeed. Just before the pandemic, educators
on average spent around $500 of their own money on classroom supplies over the
course of the year, as the New York Times reported. Despite the offset of a
modest tax deduction, having to pay for their own supplies adds to educator
fatigue and worsens their own economic picture.
But the bulk of educator out-of-pocket spending hardly seems optional.
Too many classrooms wouldn’t have a library if they didn’t buy the books and
shelves themselves. Michigan teacher Liz Jorgensen has spent hundreds of dollars
already, adding to her self-funded classroom library. “It’s worth it to have
focused, engaged students during independent reading time rather than off-task
students due to the fact that they don’t like their book.”
Some teachers purchase subscriptions to online reading and science programs that
their students can access all year. Others need lab equipment and other
materials for hands-on lessons that help keep students engaged.
SPENDING ON THE RISE
All of this spending by teachers and support professionals quickly adds up.
One analysis estimates that this academic year, educators will spend more than
$820 out-of-pocket on school supplies.
Colorado art teacher Rozx Gallegos says she’s already spent “$300 this year on
organizing bins, new brushes, canvas boards…..and the year is young. I’ll spend
another chunk before end of year.” Incredibly, one year, she even refinanced her
house to purchase technology for her classroom.
In high-needs districts, educator spending routinely goes beyond classroom
supplies. Some teachers have to purchase fans because their classrooms have no
air conditioning. High inside temperatures can leave staff and students alike
drowsy and distracted. A number of educators mentioned that they spend a lot on
snacks because if they don’t, they routinely see students who are too hungry to
focus on their schoolwork.
“Snacks are the biggest thing that drain my cash,” said Washington teacher Wendy
Van Skyhawk, who works in a district where more than 60 percent of families are
low-income. "Sometimes a granola bar provides just enough energy to fuel
brains.”
If educator out-of-pocket spending really does reach an average $820 this year,
educators nationwide could end up subsidizing schools to the tune of $3
billion.
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATION
Educators who spend their own money on school supplies feel it’s essential to
helping their students learn and feel comfortable in the classroom. But for many
educators, that annual spending does take a toll.
Retired teacher Cheryl Park of Michigan says every year she spent between $1,000
and $2,000 on her classroom. That's “about $40,000 over the course of a 25-year
career” she noted. Throughout that time, she and her colleagues endured a number
of pay cuts.
In a white paper released this month, the National Education Association cited
that under resourced schools and the unstated expectation that educators will
spend their own money on supplies and equipment are factors that drive educators
away from the profession.
Another major factor driving the educator shortage crisis is low pay, which
makes the out-of-pocket spending even more outrageous.
The "teacher pay penalty" is the percentage by which public school educators are
paid less than comparable workers. According to the Economic Policy Institute,
this gap reached an all-time high this year. Teachers on average now earn 23.5
percent less than comparable college graduates.
But educators say they feel compelled to buy essential supplies and make their
classrooms welcoming and comfortable for students.
“Here’s the deal,” explained Virginia teacher Janine Vaughn. “My classroom is my
home away from home and my students’ too. I want it to be comfy, attractive, and
functional. So, I spend my own money to make it that way.”
A STEP FORWARD
This year, educators can deduct up to $300 of qualified out-of-pocket expenses
on their taxes. This represents a $50 increase over the deduction allowed
between 2002-2021. Classroom supplies and equipment and professional development
related to the curriculum in which the educator provides instruction are all
qualified expenses.
The educator expense deduction is particularly valuable, because it is claimed
“above the line,” meaning it can lower an educator’s adjusted gross income, and
it is available to those who itemize deductions as well as those who don’t.
While the increase is a step in the right direction, NEA’s advocacy on the
issues of educator pay and protecting the educator expense deduction are
ongoing.
REFERENCES
See More See Less
LEARN MORE
* 1 SEL Can Help Prevent Bullying
* 2 Teaching While Scared
* 3 Being a Teacher Cost This Retiree $111,384
DO MORE
* 1 Solidarity with Starbucks Workers
* 2 Register for our Facilitated Leveraging Student Assets & Culturally
Responsive Practices to Create Engaging Learning Environments Blended
Learning Course
* 3 Win NEA Today Gear
GET MORE FROM
*
*
*
We're here to help you succeed in your career, advocate for public school
students, and stay up to date on the latest education news. Sign up to stay
informed.
NEW nea.org email signup
Contact Information
First Name Last Name
Zip Code
Email
Opt in to email updates from NEA
(Optional)
GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR EVERY STUDENT
The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional
employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education.
NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to
university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and
in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
About us
Partner with us
Advertise with us
National Education Association
1201 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-3290
* * Careers
* Contact Us
* NEA State Affiliates
* * NEA Councils & Other Organizations
* Governance & Policies
* Research & Publications
* * Legal Guidance
* Resource Library
* Privacy Policy
* Terms of Use
© Copyright 2023 National Education Association
""" "" "