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Whose responsibility is it to provide school supplies?

The parent? The school? The community (organizations who collect and donate school supplies)? Have you seen your child's school supply list yet and what do you think about it?

Public Comments

1. The parents. And yes, i've seen the supply list. It shouldn't cost me more than $15 to buy everything on it. School supplies are dirt cheap.
2. Parents. Expecting the state to provide everything for your child isn’t reasonable.
3. its the parents responsibility because the child is their responsibility
4. Depends on the school system and depends on what kind of supplies. A stocked pencil case should be the parents' responsibility, in my opinion, but some schools (like my daughters' school, for example) makes the kids each have a tray of watercolor paints for art class and scissors and stuff like that which I think the school really should have for them. We got our school supply lists about a week ago and most of the stuff is pencils, colored pencils, erasers, and stuff like that. I'm a bit curious why my 2nd and 3rd graders need their own pairs of scissors and paint sets, but I'm not gonna question it...
5. It's the parents, when my children were in elementary and middle school it was relatively cheap however high school was a completely different story.Our schools have a drop off bin so you can donate supplies to the children in need. School doesn't start here until 9/6. The elective classes in high school supplies add up through out the year .
6. I think it should be the responsiblity of the parents. Our children have the opportunity of getting a free education from Pre-K through 12th grade (okay, okay, not "free" - it's taxpayers money I know - but not straight out of pocket hundreds of dollars in tuition anyway). I think the least parents can do is supply the basics of pencils, paper, etc. School supplies aren't expensive, and even the lengthiest of supply lists can be spread out and can't possibly total more than $30 or so. In the case where a parent *truly* cannot afford them there are programs and places to obtain them for free. And as always these programs are there to help people get through tough times, not to be depended and taken advantage of year after year.
7. The school provides the education, textbooks, and teachers. Whereas, it's definitely the responsibility of the parents provide the supplies to ensure their children capable of being successful as possible while attending. Of course schools typically will provide supplies such as a classroom set of calculators, pens, etc. but by no means is there an obligation for them to do so.
8. The parents. Yes, just got the lists in the mail for my soon to be kindergartner and fourth grader and I anticipate that supplies, backpack, etc for both will cost me around $40.
9. I think it's the parent's responsibility. I couldn't accept any handouts from the community organizations because I think they should be reserved for children whose parents can't afford to buy school supplies and I know my husband and I are well off. My son is starting school next month and he will be in kindergarten and his supply list is about $15-20 so no biggie.
10. i think its the parents responsibility as long as the school does not collect those supplies and 'share' them among the other students.if I have to buy school supplies then they are just for my children. the stuff is too expensive to just hand out. thats why they have community organizations that hand out free supplies for those who cannot afford them. i haven't gotten the list yet but i am sure it will be extensive.
11. The School. That way everyone has the same everything and I won't be as pist if someone elses kid stole something I bought for my kid.