Why Do Companies Insist on Getting Rich on School Backs?

I am far from the exception when I say that as a teacher in an urban school I spend more than $1000 of my own money a year on school necessities. This doesn’t bother me, because my students need so much living in an area that gives them so little. What does bother me is when I’m told our school cannot buy that wonderful set of math CDs selling at Scholastic for $14.95 because it is not an approved vendor. Then when I then search the catalog of the “approved vendor,” I discover the same CD set sells for $42.00, and that’s only for one licensed approval.

What bothers me is that some outstanding education software (JumpStart, Reader Rabbit, e.g.) can be purchased online for merely Shipping and Handling costs ($3.95-$5.95), I must buy it myself because the school can only make its purchases from “approved vendor,” who we’ll call Dewey, Cheatum and Howe.

What bothers me is that Connect, Twister, Trouble and other popular games seen in many early elementary classrooms can be bought at Kaybee’s for $10.99, but the school can only buy it from the “approved vendor” for double the price.

What bothers me is that just about every item related to education comes at a steep price. If the latest family board games and craft kits are selling for $12-$20 at Wal-Mart or Toys-R-Us, you can bet the farm that your school’s “approved vendor” is selling the same for $20-$40.

So-called “approved vendors” like Dewey, Cheatum and Howe aren’t the only culprits here. Let’s look at educational retail stores. They are excellent in stocking items that can brighten up a curriculum. But then you find the price tag is steep, leaving a hole in either your wallet or your heart.

Let’s not forget popular field trip sites. While many zoos, museums and amusement parks, give schools decent group rates, that’s about all the generosity generous they extend. Venture into the gift shop and you’ll wind up supplementing the few dollars your students bring to buy souvenirs, or you’ll wind up having to say “you can’t buy that because it costs too much.”

Since when did teachers become banks? What is it about education that drives companies to squeeze every cent they can out of the education system and those who work within it? Why do boards of education continue to make horrible deals that steal money from those who have no say in the matter, the students? And why do people continue to vote these Bozo’s into office?

There are many Dewey, Cheatums and Howes doing business with boards of education, getting rich on the backs of America’s most important natural resource: our children.
It stinks!