|
Teach-nology.com's Teacher Poll of the Week
| School Budgets Woes- How much money do you spend from your own pocket for your class needs annually? | |||||||||||
|
38.3%
29.0%
23.3%
6.1%
3.2% Education is big business. Estimates are that over $200
billion are being spent annually to support public education in the United States. Of local school district expenses, approximately 85
percent of the budget monies are used to pay for administrative and teacher salaries. Monies available for purchase of textbooks
and teaching supplies are typically about 3 percent of the total operating budget for school systems. School
district budgets are not the only monies spent on education in communities. Teachers for years have reported using out of
pocket funds to supplement monies provided by local school districts. Teacher expenditures typically are used to support their
own classroom teaching by purchasing teaching supplies, materials, and equipment.
Many people may not be aware of this, but it is a fact that most teachers spend
a good deal of their own money on supplies for their students and classrooms each year. In some cases, if teachers did not
do this, the students would have to do without certain items.
This is why students are given a supply list at the beginning of each school year. But often, not all students end up bringing all of the supplies on the list—this is why teachers keep extras on hand. Some students’ families may not be able to afford all of the supplies. Other families may simply forget to purchase some of the supplies. Whatever the reason, there are always some students who are missing some items.
But teachers also purchase other items besides supplies for their classes. Teachers buy rewards for the students, such as stickers, novelty erasers and pencils, and other little trinkets. These are especially important in the early grades. Teachers also purchase decorations for the classroom as well as professional materials such as grading books and calendars.
Elementary teachers generally end up spending more on their classrooms than higher grades. This is because middle school students and high school students aren’t generally impressed or motivated by stickers or little novelties.
Teachers do receive some classroom money with which they can buy materials and supplies; however, this amount of money is never enough to purchase everything that is required for the students, the teacher, and the classroom. So, although it seems unfair, teachers end up using their own money to supplement that classroom money.
Most teachers have come to accept the situation; however, it is an unfortunate state of affairs. Schools should receive the funding they need so that teachers do not have to resort to using their own money on the job.
This is why students are given a supply list at the beginning of each school year. But often, not all students end up bringing all of the supplies on the list—this is why teachers keep extras on hand. Some students’ families may not be able to afford all of the supplies. Other families may simply forget to purchase some of the supplies. Whatever the reason, there are always some students who are missing some items.
But teachers also purchase other items besides supplies for their classes. Teachers buy rewards for the students, such as stickers, novelty erasers and pencils, and other little trinkets. These are especially important in the early grades. Teachers also purchase decorations for the classroom as well as professional materials such as grading books and calendars.
Elementary teachers generally end up spending more on their classrooms than higher grades. This is because middle school students and high school students aren’t generally impressed or motivated by stickers or little novelties.
Teachers do receive some classroom money with which they can buy materials and supplies; however, this amount of money is never enough to purchase everything that is required for the students, the teacher, and the classroom. So, although it seems unfair, teachers end up using their own money to supplement that classroom money.
Most teachers have come to accept the situation; however, it is an unfortunate state of affairs. Schools should receive the funding they need so that teachers do not have to resort to using their own money on the job.
The Adopt-A-Teacher campaign will support public school teachers in Houston, Coffee,
Geneva, Covington, Dale, and Henry counties. Each county will have advocates which will help raise the funds within
their county. When each county goal is met, gift cards will be issued to every K-12th grade teacher. We are excited
to introduce this program and look forward to helping bridge the financial gap for our teachers. We hope that you will
consider contributing to this much needed program. After all our children are the ones who ultimately will
benefit!
WHY
HELP ADOPT-A-TEACHER?
Times are hard! They
are for all of us! However, the one place we CANNOT afford to make-do and cutback is in our school system! When
teachers returned to school for the 2008-09 school year their fee replacement money had been cut by the Alabama State Legislature
from $525 to $400. Now that doesn't seem like alot...but have you ever thought about what a teacher has in their
classroom that is NOT provided by the school system or by the PARENTS?
Supplemental
Educational Items
Educational Centers
(Math, Science, Reading, Art)
Decoratives...which
helps keep the classrooms appealing
Copy
Paper
Ink / Toner Cartridges
and the list goes on and on
After being in school a few months a huge announcement came down from the Governor's
office...all Departments in the State Budget would be in proration which unfortunately includes the Department of Education.
Although the school budgets had been approved there was not enough money to fulfill the needs. A vast majority
of teachers are hired at the start of a school year on a contract, so salaries HAVE TO BE Paid. Meaning that other
parts of the budgets will suffer. Vital parts of the budget are suffering...including money to go directly in the classroom.
|
|