Alabama is progressing in education in many ways, especially for students throughout the state.

However, one group within the state’s educational system seems to be encountering some obstacles to achieving this progress – teachers.

Teachers in Alabama have to take on many challenges that those in other states may not have to. For example, reading and math scores in the state last year put Alabama as the second to last ranked state. in addition, the salary for Alabama’s teachers on average is one of the lowest in the country.

Now, educators not just in the Yellowhammer State, but throughout the country are facing yet more difficulties, according to new study by myelearningworld.

Scott Winstead, founder and editor in chief of myelearningworld, believes the situation is not likely to improve any time soon.

“Unfortunately, the trends indicate this is only going to get worse over time unless things radically change,” he said. “All of the data shows teacher spending has been going up every single year, and it’s due to several factors.”

The study showed that teachers on average in the U.S. are having to now spend three times more on expenses than can be deducted. According to the study, the typical teacher spent an average of $820.14 out of pocket on school supplies in 2022. Overall, teachers spent an estimated $3 billion on essential classroom materials and supplies in 2022.

In 2002, the educator expense deduction was put into place which allows teachers to deduct a maximum of $250 of out of pocket expenses when filing their federal returns. In 2022, the maximum deduction increased to $300.

Another factor that has caused this is a lack of qualified teachers, he said.

“The teacher shortage we’re seeing right now means that the average teacher has more students in his or her class than before, which means they have to purchase more supplies than they did in the past to accommodate everybody,” Winstead said. “At the same time, inflation is driving the cost of goods up.

“So, not only are teachers having to buy more classroom supplies, but those supplies are more expensive than ever.”

Winstead also pointed out the increase from $250 to $300 took two decades to happen.

“It’s also worth pointing out that it took 20 years for them to increase the max educator deduction from $250 to $300, so I wouldn’t expect another increase any time soon,” he said. “Meaning teachers will just have to eat the extra costs of buying necessary supplies for their classrooms.”

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.