69ý

Opinion Blog

Ask a Psychologist

Helping 69ý Thrive Now

Angela Duckworth and other behavioral-science experts offer advice to teachers based on scientific research. Read more from this blog.

Budget & Finance Opinion

What Teachers Are Likely Missing From Their Back-to-School Wish Lists

Some materials that make a difference in student learning might be surprising
By Samantha Keppler — September 06, 2023 2 min read
What school resources make a difference?
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

What resources do schools really need to make a difference in student performance?

I had the same question when I was a teacher, which is one reason why I became a researcher. Here’s something I wrote about the topic for as a :

It was the end of the school day, and I was tired. I grabbed a stack of about 130 equation worksheets to grade on the train ride home and picked up the dry-erase markers (that I bought myself) and put them in my purse. I’d bring the pens back in the morning, but I didn’t want to risk someone taking them after I left for the day.

My principal poked her head into my classroom and said with a wink, “Friendly reminder! You need to make sure your word wall is up by tomorrow morning.” She then moved on to the next classroom to repeat the message.

I sighed and thought, “Are you kidding me? What a waste of my time.”

My principal was passionate about making our school beautiful.

I was passionate about getting my students to pass the New York state algebra regents exam.

My principal wanted every classroom to have a word wall, where important subject-area concepts would be defined and displayed on colorful paper. She wanted bulletin boards showing student work on creative projects that demonstrated high levels of thinking. She brought in large, beautiful planters that lined the hallways with greenery. She found money to buy new wood-veneer tables for half the school’s classrooms to replace the old-fashioned single desks.

Meanwhile, I just wanted printer paper, dry-erase markers, and calculator batteries.

To me, the time and money spent on making our school and classrooms beautiful was just a distraction. Those things don’t help my students learn math. Or do they?

After three years of teaching, I went to graduate school in part to study how resources—from basic supplies to new furniture—affect teachers and students. What my research found surprised me: When teachers had their requests for classroom environment resources (like rugs, seating, or shelving) fulfilled on the crowdfunding platform DonorsChoose, their and (in new research) the teachers were less likely to leave the profession.

The small, basic supplies I needed still matter, but they can only help so much. My principal was right. She was creating more than just a beautiful space—she was building a welcoming and positive environment for students to learn and teachers to work.

ٴDz’t assume that classroom appearances aren’t important when it comes to learning.

Do invest in both classroom basics and school beautification. Set aside some of the school budget or mobilize parents, community members, and donors. School resources matter for student learning because supporting what educators want—not just what they need—can make all the difference.

Related Tags:

The opinions expressed in Ask a Psychologist: Helping 69ý Thrive Now are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

Events

School & District Management Webinar Crafting Outcomes-Based Contracts That Work for Everyone
Discover the power of outcomes-based contracts and how they can drive student achievement.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in 69ý
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by 
School & District Management Webinar EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?
What issues are keeping K-12 leaders up at night? Join us for EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

Budget & Finance Districts Won’t Owe Extra Overtime Costs After Court Nixes Federal Rule
The incoming Trump administration is not likely to appeal the decision.
2 min read
Image of a clock, calendar, and a pencil.
Tatomm/iStock/Getty
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Budget & Finance Quiz
Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About STEM Funding?
Answer 6 questions about funding STEM education.
Content provided by 
Budget & Finance No More School Lunch Fees for Low-Income Families, USDA Says
Districts have until 2027 to eliminate processing fees for students who get reduced-price meals.
3 min read
TIghtly cropped photograph showing a cafeteria worker helping elementary students select food in lunch line. Food shown include pizza, apples, and broccoli.
iStock/Getty
Budget & Finance Don't Forget About Money for 69ý: How Public Education Fared at the Polls
Voters approved billions for school construction bonds in California—but rejected more than $4 billion in bond spending in Houston.
5 min read
Photo collage of U.S. currency and stock market trading graph.
Getty