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Why do teachers pay for school supplies with their own money?

Apr 7, 2023
Instructors are investing their cash, along with their skill and passion, in their students' education.
School supplies are often in short supply in the classroom, so many teachers dig into their own pockets to provide them.
Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images

Back-to-school shopping makes a comeback

Jul 5, 2021
The expanded federal child tax credit could help many parents foot the bill for supplies.
Family shopping-for-school budgets are likely to get a boost from the recently expanded federal child tax credit.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

"And then it occurred to me that I could just make the box of supplies myself"

Nov 17, 2020
Teacher Nia Grigsby started The School Box Toolbox when her own daughters were running low on supplies early in the pandemic.
School Box Toolbox supplies for first and second grade students.
Courtesy of Nia Grigsby

Back-to-school supplies are a little more expensive — and complicated

Aug 11, 2017
An Ohio business wants to pick out those specific items for you and deliver it to school.
Back-to-school supplies can add up.
Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Teachers spend hundreds of dollars on back to school supplies

Aug 11, 2017
We spoke with a Los Angeles teacher about the school supplies she buys for her classroom each year, and what she wishes the school budget would cover.
A school teacher shops for back to school supplies in California. 
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images