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No, I understand that but I think its a silly law.
Why? Think it through. If it's not required by law then school systems cut that part of the budget (kind of like they've done for the things that started the thread) and people would complain even more.
Not to mention the elephant in the room no one has really mentioned and that's socioeconomics.
I taught in a mostly middle/upper middle class high school and even there it was a struggle to get kids to have the minimal something to write with and on. They all did, however, have the latest electronic gizmo and $300 sneakers.
The elephant is that a bit over 50% of students in the US are on Free And Reduced Meals, the measure for poverty schools have to use for data.
What makes you think families who can't/won't buy pencils for their kids would pony up for a book?
And once again, in the body of this thread just like in ones about FARM, people ignore the reality that there are legions of dysfunctional families out there who can't or won't feed their kids let alone buy them pencils.
Count yourself lucky. Oh, it wouldn't be corporeal punishment. But everything else from withholding grades to not allowing participation in activities until the "discrepancy" was cleared up. It's a very effective means for quieting activist parents.
Activist parents? I'm not sure what you mean by that. If children are receiving failing grades because they don't have a pencil. That hurts the child, not their parents. I, and most teachers I know, keep extra supplies in the classroom. A child missing supplies should never be a reason they are excluded from any particular lesson.
Why? Think it through. If it's not required by law then school systems cut that part of the budget (kind of like they've done for the things that started the thread) and people would complain even more.
Not to mention the elephant in the room no one has really mentioned and that's socioeconomics.
I taught in a mostly middle/upper middle class high school and even there it was a struggle to get kids to have the minimal something to write with and on. They all did, however, have the latest electronic gizmo and $300 sneakers.
The elephant is that a bit over 50% of students in the US are on Free And Reduced Meals, the measure for poverty schools have to use for data.
What makes you think families who can't/won't buy pencils for their kids would pony up for a book?
And once again, in the body of this thread just like in ones about FARM, people ignore the reality that there are legions of dysfunctional families out there who can't or won't feed their kids let alone buy them pencils.
I don't know what to say. I make sure my kids have everything they need to succeed in school. I don't blow money on sneakers and phones and video games or whatever else.
I value education and I don't mind putting my own money toward it - outside of taxes I mean.
And we qualify for free and reduced lunches. I can tell you - without a shadow of a doubt - that we absolutely can afford to purchase extra items for school so our kids' teachers don't have to. That's MY responsibility as a parent, not the teachers.
I don't know what to say. I make sure my kids have everything they need to succeed in school. I don't blow money on sneakers and phones and video games or whatever else.
I value education and I don't mind putting my own money toward it - outside of taxes I mean.
And we qualify for free and reduced lunches. I can tell you - without a shadow of a doubt - that we absolutely can afford to purchase extra items for school so our kids' teachers don't have to. That's MY responsibility as a parent, not the teachers.
Thank you. I might remind the parents who are complaining about the high cost/amount of school supplies that my wife, myself, and millions of other nonparents have been paying for American kids to go to school for decades. We personally pay around $5000 a year. That's a lot of paper towels.
Thank you. I might remind the parents who are complaining about the high cost/amount of school supplies that my wife, myself, and millions of other nonparents have been paying for American kids to go to school for decades. We personally pay around $5000 a year. That's a lot of paper towels.
Having volunteered at my children's schools over the years and knowing many teachers personally, I know how much of their own money goes into their classrooms and students. Stocking classroom libraries, buying student supplies, helping kids get clothing, etc. I'm happy to buy my kids whatever they need for school.
I have one going into 7th and one going into 5th. We have the option to order the supplies pre-packaged online. So, so much easier than going store to store trying to find everything. And I think the teachers prefer it because everything is uniform (same brands, etc). Each one was about $40, I think. They will be waiting for the kids on the first day of school.
That's MY responsibility as a parent, not the teachers.
Actually, I think it is the district and state's responsibility. But they do nothing but cut funding to schools, so the costs are passed on to the teachers and parents.
When I was in school (forever ago), we didn't have to buy anything. We showed up to school and our desks were already stocked with pencils, crayons, paper, glue, etc. Sad that now the state won't even give schools enough money to buy janitorial supplies.
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