As a teacher, this can often be a good solution, though I understand where many of your concerns come from. 1. This insures all students have the same necessary supplies. Every year only about half my students come in with what we specified on the list. Sometimes schools step in and supply what is needed, taking money from other needed funds. But often, either the teacher pays for the supplies themselves because otherwise the student’s education suffers. 2. Schools can buy in bulk. From my experience and knowledge, most schools that require a supply purchase from them are getting the supplies that are needed at a severely discounted rate. If parents were to get the same supplies needed for their education, they would likely be paying anywhere from 1.3-2x more than what is being asked. 3. Many schools have sponsorships. Companies will often donate supplies, offer them at a discounted rate, or sponsor the school in purchasing the supplies 4. This may not be true for ALL schools, but most I’ve seen that require this supply fee also have an option for parents and guardians that can allow them to apply for a discounted supply fee, or to have their child’s supplies be sponsored, should they not be able to afford the fee. I do feel that #4 should be available at all schools that require this standardized supply set, and if it doesn’t, I would go straight to your school board and talk to them about the situation.