Rising back-to-school costs force teachers to fund their own classrooms
Teacher Lindsey Collier spent roughly $2,000 on supplies for her new Howard County first-grade class as inflation and supply-chain pressures push classroom costs higher.
Lindsey Collier, entering her 11th year of teaching, spent about $2,000 this summer to outfit her new first-grade classroom in Howard County, Maryland, after receiving only a small stipend of $200-$300 for supplies. She purchased items such as shelving, rugs, stools, a whiteboard film, books, and a $500 math game, noting that many of these costs are now higher due to inflation, tariffs and supply-chain disruptions. Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation report an 8% rise in the price of common school supplies over the past year, while a Deloitte survey shows almost half of parents intend to take on debt for back-to-school expenses.
Elizabeth Pancotti of Groundwork Collaborative said teachers often buy additional materials beyond what parents provide, adding to the financial burden. Howard County Public Schools did not comment on the issue, and Collier relies on personal networks and crowdsourced wish lists to help cover costs.
Why it matters
Teachers are shouldering rising classroom expenses, highlighting funding gaps that affect education quality and family finances.
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