Here’s how you can help teachers as students head back to school

Come this new school year, consider taking time to help teachers in underfunded schools meet their students’ needs.

In the past decade, U.S. public education has undergone massive budget cuts, leaving many classrooms without fundamental resources. A recent study published by the American Federation of Teachers, a nationally organized union, cites a decrease in teacher’s salaries and an increase in teacher-to-student ratios.

And yet, the vast majority of teachers still spend their own money on classroom supplies. According to the United States Department of Education, 94% of teachers report paying for school supplies, without reimbursement. The same study calculated teachers spend on average $479 annually of their own money on classrooms, with 15 percent reporting closer to $800 annually.     Read more…

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