Should teachers stop spending their own personal funds on classroom supplies?

[Sancho]

20. My wife and I started teaching in the mid-70s, and spent money on the classroom every year.

I suspect the vast majority of teachers spend some. In a few cases, we've had local donations from parents, or some district fund that we could tap, but usually we just buy stuff that is needed.

Honestly, the US puts the MIC on a pedestal without any limits to spending. Education is at the bottom of the list. It's easier to get money for almost anything than the school system. Highways, aircraft carriers, tax incentives for business, tourism advertising, ball stadiums, and airports - spend millions or billions on just about anything - but try to get schools moved to the top of any state or federal list!

Teachers in some places are on strike. College students don't want to become educators any more.
That's the main reason that much of the rest of the world is doing a better job of education.

Teachers spending their own money for basic materials is one small symptom of huge problem.

Fortunately, the baby boom generation produced a lot of college graduates, and the economy of the 50s and 60s built a pretty effect school system highlighted by the introduction of special education in the early 70s. Since then, it's been a constant battle and decline.

I was lucky to teach when things weren't too bad, but it's hard to recommend the profession right now.

The next generation may have to depend on AI and distance learning, because the personal attention of good teachers is rapidly becoming a myth in American schools.