Supporting Science Education with Out of Pocket Teacher Expenses
Emily Cayton and M. Gail Jones
As science teachers are preparing for the summer, many will be planning lessons and purchasing supplies for their classes next year. But just how much do science teachers spend on their classes from their own personal funds? After conducting a nationwide survey of middle and high school science teachers, a research team at North Carolina State University has an answer for us. Their research revealed that 70 percent of science teachers do not have adequate funding to support science instruction for their students, leading to almost 95% of science teachers spending their own money to support learning in their classroom. To discuss their research and its implications for science instruction in urban, rural and suburban schools, Emily Cayton (Graduate Research Assistant) and M. Gail Jones (professor of STEM Education) join us to close out season 11 of Lab Out Loud.
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Links:
- Cayton, Emily and Jones, M Gail. 11 May 2018. Science teachers sacrifice to provide lab materials for students. 11 May 2018. The Conversation.
- The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation
Connect with our guest:
- Twitter: @CaytonScience and @NanoGail
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Perhaps I missed this, but what is the range of per student spending by teachers? I teach 9 th grade bio in an urban district. I spent typically $1500/year of my own money on consumables for 100 students, one lab per week. I do have a budget, but I spend that on equipment and labware – microscopes, thermometers, beakers, dissection tools and specimens. My own money goes toward supplies I can pick up at the grocery store and drugstore.
Hello Christine, our guests explained that some teachers reported personal spending as high as $5000. I’ll ask Emily Cayton if she can provide more details.