As a non-profit whose mission is to advance equity in education, AdoptAClassroom.org regularly surveys our teachers. One of the questions we ask often is how much do teachers spend on supplies for their students. Understanding classroom needs directly from teachers helps our community support where we can make the largest impact.

Unfortunately, we discovered that during the 2020/2021 school year teachers are spending more out of pocket on classroom supplies than ever before. Teachers spend an average of $750 of their own money each year so their students can succeed. 


We surveyed 5,400 PreK-12 teachers at public, private and charter schools representing all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. 80% of the teachers who responded described their school as high-needs, where 50% or more of students receive free or reduced lunch. 

  • Teachers spent an average of $750 on school supplies out of pocket during the 2020-2021 school year. The highest amount ever.
  • 30% of teachers spent $1,000 or more on school supplies.
  • Teacher spending has increased 25% since AdoptAClassroom.org first began surveying teachers in 2015. 

  • Students Didn’t Have What They Needed for Distance Learning

    • According to teachers, 55% of students had few or no supplies at home when distance learning began. 
    • 65% of teachers said students were less likely to participate during distance learning because they did not have what they needed. 
    • 55% said they had students who did not engage with their education last school year at all.

    COVID-19 Limited Student Access to Needed Supplies in the Classroom

    • 80% of teachers said students had less access to supplies they needed because they could not share classroom materials. 
    • 70% of teachers said they had to change their lesson plans because they did not have the resources they needed.

      Teachers Purchase PPE and Cleaning Supplies for the Classroom

      • To mitigate the impact of COVID-19, teachers spent an average of $160 out of pocket on personal protective equipment and related supplies for their classrooms during the 2020-2021 school year.

      Teachers Need Support for a Successful Year

      • 95% of teachers said their classroom supply budget will not be enough to meet their students’ needs. 

        Challenges Teachers Expect this School Year

        • 70% – Getting the supplies needed to create an inclusive classroom for all students.
        • 65% – Helping their students overcome the trauma of COVID-19.
        • 65% – Providing their students with the school supplies they need to learn.
        • 60% – Getting their students who have been disengaged during the pandemic back on track.
        • 65% – Rebuilding and/or improving their school community.
        • 50% – Making up for teacher or staff turnover or shortages at their school.
        • 30% – A lack of training and resources to address racial inequality for their students.
          When it comes to the supplies that would help their students have a successful year, teachers said they needed the following:
          How much teachers spend on supplies is up to us. Support AdoptAClassroom.org and provide immediate relief to classrooms and schools nationwide so all teachers and students have what they need to succeed. Now more than ever, they need our help.