Why do US teachers have to ask parents to bring basic school supplies? - eviltoast

I’ve also seen US teachers spending hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to stock classrooms.

I spent a lot of time in European schools and I’ve never heard of teachers having to stock their own classrooms or fundraise for things like playgrounds, etc.

  • phillaholic@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    10 months ago

    I wonder if there are some holes in their methodology with regards to how people are paid in the US vs Europe. Like are they factoring in government benefits of teachers and staff that aren’t part of work like they are in the US. Salary and Benefits is a huge part of the cost, as well as land and construction costs.

    • vortic@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      10 months ago

      That’s true. They may not be factoring in government benefits. Things like universal health care.

    • Anamnesis@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      10 months ago

      Well, healthcare and other benefits aren’t likely to account for the discrepancy, as pretty much all teachers get benefits (with the exception of adjuncts at the university level, who are absolutely fucked).

      • phillaholic@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        10 months ago

        My understanding is salaries are higher in the US in part because of the lack of universal healthcare, and other things that end up coming out of people’s pockets when compared to Europe. I did a little digging on the site, and it does look like salary and benefits are up to 80% of the cost.