Study Finds Teachers Use their Own Money for School Supplies
Friday, May 18th, 2018 -- 7:59 AM
(AP) -Nearly all public school teachers report digging into their pockets to pay for school supplies, spending nearly $480 a year, far more than the federal $250 tax deduction available to teachers.The findings by the National Center of Education Statistics released Tuesday come as teachers across the country are walking out of classrooms to protest low pay and demand pay raises. Helping teacher’s pay for class supplies was a key demand during the Arizona teachers' strike. Ninety-four percent of public school teachers say they spent their own money on notebooks, pens and other supplies in the 2014-15 school year without reimbursement, according to the study. The average amount spent was $479. About 44 percent spent $250 or less, while 36 percent spent $251 to $500.
Currently, teachers who spend their personal money on children's classroom needs are able to reduce their taxable income by $250. That amounts to roughly $30-$60 in savings for each teacher, according to the American Federation of Teachers, a relatively small sum that is still regarded as a token of appreciation by educators. The study also found that teachers in high-poverty schools were more likely to spend personal money on school supplies.
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