No.

The latest federal data, from the 2019-20 school year, does not show that Maine teachers spend an average of $500 a year out of pocket on student supplies.

National Center for Education Statistics survey data shows 94% of Maine public school teachers spent their own money on classroom supplies without reimbursement that year.

The average amount spent was $340 among all Maine public school teachers, including those who spent nothing. Among those who spent money, the average rose to $361.

A 2019 Maine Center for Economic Policy analysis, citing an Economic Policy Institute report based on NCES survey data, estimated Maine public school teachers spent an average of $356 annually on supplies for students.

The $500 figure is closer to the national average. NCES found public school teachers nationwide averaged $445 across all teachers and $470 among those who spent their own money.

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Sources

• National Center for Education Statistics: Average amount of their own money that public and private school teachers spent on classroom supplies without reimbursement
• Economic Policy Institute: It’s the beginning of the school year and teachers are once again opening up their wallets to buy school supplies
• Maine Center for Economic Policy: This year, Maine teachers will spend $5.2 million of their own money on school supplies