Why do teachers expect parents to buy a bunch of expensive school supplies?

Question

I bought my child the basic supplies they needed and spent over 30 dollars (quite a bit for me on my income) and now a list was sent home requiring a hundred dollar calculator, computer ubs drive, and bunch of books that can't be found at the library, etc. I can't afford to buy any of this stuff and I think if the teachers want it they should pay for it. They use the excuse that it is need for college, well what is you aren't going to college? Not everyone has the money and can't get loans and grants and scholerships. I remember when I graduated high school I heard about all the scholarships but it turns out they were only given to people involved in sports or minorities, nothing for a white A and B student lilke myself.
Teachers make 30 and 40 k a year and b**** about their income but they expect me to buy over a hundred dollars worth of stuff tomorrow when I make less than 800 and month. Teachers don't seem as smart as they think they are.

Answer 1

go to a school board meeting and request to speak up in a meeting.
If you go the route of the 'chain of command' like principal, super, etc
They usually try to get you to be quiet.
But, the board members are the top of the heap and sometimes take these things seriously, especially since these meetings are in the public eye.

Answer 2

Um, it's not the teachers who 'require' these things it's your school board that tells the teachers what is needed. Go to your child's teacher and school principle and tell them you can't afford this. I'm sure there's either a parents council or a contingency fund to help parents cover costs. BTW what grade is your child in?

In the good old days the school provided alot of those things, not computers of course or calculators. And there are misguided yuppie board members who think every parent has this stuff because they do. Make it known to your teacher, your principle and schoolboard trustee that this is a bit much. There must be second hand books you can find or the school should be able to find for you.

But don't automatically blame the teachers, trust me without them your little darling probably wouldn't amount to a hill a beans. Nobody would without good teachers! So kknock off the attiude.

Answer 3

Approach the principal. Most PTA/PTO's have an emergency fund for situations like yours. It is all confidential. See if they will buy the supplies for your child. As for the calculator, look on ebay or put a FREE ad in your local Pennysaver. You should be able to pick up a scientific calculator for a few bucks.

Now...your attitude needs a serious adjustment. Boohoo, you didn't go to college! (FYI: Bill Gates is a college dropout!) Look how tough it is for you to make ends meet, and you want the same for your kid? What incentive are you giving your child if he/she already figures there is no chance for higher education?

There really are plenty of scholarships available; I, too, was a white A-student who didn't do sports, and I paid for over 2 years strictly on scholarships! You are suppose to want a better life for your child, not the same life! Maybe you could get a second job or your child can start applying NOW to see what is available.

I don't know what part of the country you are in, but if your HS teachers are only making around $40k, they aren't really making that much. Up here in New England, $70K+ isn't unusual. But please, PLEASE, stop grousing and start DOING! Obviously you have a computer, so getting all the scholarship and grant info should be relatively easy.

Finally, have your kid find a part-time job with a local company that offers to pay for an employee's college expenses. When he/she graduates from high school, they can start full-time and get their tuition reimbursed. Good luck,and as for your past situation, all I can say is: Cry me a river, build me a bridge and GET OVER IT!

Answer 4

As a teacher I always buy supplies for kids who can't afford. Or we can get donations through the family resource center. Teachers do make 30-40 but most earn every penny as we have to go to college for what seems like forever and pay for it too. That income cannot afford to buy every student expensive supplies. I'm sure that if you let the school know they will help you. IF not, you need to complain!!

Answer 5

A lot of teachers do spend their own money buying supplies for the class, and of course stationary that they would need themselves. If the school can't afford to buy sharpie markers (because of cutbacks all across the country nowadays), then students bringing their own can help the class run better for group projects, for example. Of course, in the perfect world, taxes would supply schools adequately but most of the school glue sticks are dried out and none of the highlighters work, so in these cases, it helps if students can bring them to school.

Answer 6

You're too harsh. The world has changed, and more and more it's a job requirement that you know how to use computers and keep them at hand; and the schools are now using computers more often as part of the class routine. So you have to get used to it and your daughter needs those things if she is going to have a fair chance of succeeding in life. I'm sorry you earn $10k per year--it's not a living wage--but $30k or $40k is just barely getting by, the more so as most teachers have families to support. If you don't want your daughter to be in your shoes 20 years from now, you have to help her out here.

Answer 7

that's the public school system.
think about all the things your kid is learning in public school.
is it even worth the 30 bucks you just shelled out?
talk to your church about private school or homeschooling.
i assume you go to church .