Parents estimate teachers spend $382/year

Ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week, one recent report said parents estimate teachers spend about $382 a year of their own money on classroom supplies. (tallahassee.com) The 2026 observance runs from Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 8, and National Teacher Day falls on Tuesday, May 5, according to the National Education Association and National Parent Teacher Association. (nea.org) (pta.org) That parent estimate sits below what teachers themselves reported in a 2025 AdoptAClassroom.org survey: an average of $895 out of pocket during the 2024-2025 school year. The same survey said the median school supply budget from schools was $200 and 97% of teachers said that was not enough. (adoptaclassroom.org) AdoptAClassroom.org said teacher out-of-pocket spending has risen 49% since 2015, when the group put the figure at $600. It also found 82% of teachers said inflation and rising supply costs were a concern. (adoptaclassroom.org) The spending estimate is landing as districts in northern Illinois and elsewhere are cutting staff and closing budget gaps. Northern Public Radio reported April 16 that several districts in the region are dealing with multi-million-dollar deficits and reductions in classroom positions. (northernpublicradio.org) One example is Rockford Public Schools, where district leaders said they were eliminating 110 positions to close a $15 million deficit for the 2026-2027 school year. Families were told to expect fewer supports in reading, math, attendance and special education services. (nationaltoday.com) Researchers at the Learning Policy Institute said teacher shortages remain widespread even before local cuts are counted. Their 2025 overview said about 1 in 8 teaching positions nationwide were either unfilled or staffed by teachers not fully certified for the assignment. (learningpolicyinstitute.org) In Illinois, a February 2026 report from the University of Illinois Chicago said the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief program sent $7.8 billion to the state between 2020 and 2025. That report tied current budget pressure to the end of that aid, along with enrollment and cost strains. (indigo.uic.edu) The National Education Association says solving educator shortages requires long-term recruiting and retention strategies, not one-time fixes. Teacher Appreciation Week starts May 4 with schools and parent groups again being asked to thank teachers who are still covering basic classroom costs themselves. (nea.org) (pta.org)