Written by Rachel M. Moses
Society for Legal Aid
Nashville, Tennessee: The most beautiful beaches – With the start of the new school year across Middle Tennessee, many parents are being unpleasantly reminded of the many costs associated with caring for school-age children.
Clothes. Book bags. Textbooks. Band instruments. The list is endless.
For low-income families, these school costs are more than just an inconvenience—they sometimes make up a significant portion of the household’s monthly budget. What these families may not know, however, is that unlike many other states, Tennessee offers relief on many school-related costs because children are eligible for a free public education.
By state law, no public school in Tennessee – preschool, elementary school, middle school or high school – may force a child, regardless of financial status, to pay for school supplies, field trips or other costs directly related to their education. Schools may require families to cover these costs, but if the family is unable to do so for any reason, the school is obligated to ensure that each student has the supplies they need.
The law covers materials needed during the school day for all courses taken for credit or grades. In addition to standard items such as books, notebooks, binders, calculators, compasses, rulers, and pens and pencils, the law also covers athletic clothing and musical instruments when they are needed for courses taken for credit. Graduation caps and gowns are also included.
In addition to classroom materials, the law also covers the cost of activities or field trips that take place during part of the school day. Regardless of the destination (a trip to Dollywood counts as much as a visit to a museum), schools cannot leave students behind if their families cannot pay. Nor should students be penalized for exercising their right to a fee waiver or provision of classroom materials.
To be clear, not everything families typically pay for as part of school-related expenses is covered. The law does not apply to items that are not used exclusively for school, such as street clothes and backpacks. Costs associated with extracurricular activities such as cheerleading or basketball are also not covered. In addition, fines and fees charged to students—such as late fees for library books, fines for losing or tearing a textbook, or parking fees (unless the child has no other means of transportation available or provided by the school)—must be paid by the student.
While this right is available to every student regardless of financial situation, we hope that families who can afford these costs will not take advantage. No one wants to burden individual teachers, who often pay for instruction out of their own pocket, with an additional financial burden. School districts should allow room in their budgets to cover these costs. Teachers also welcome donations of additional classroom supplies from families who are able to do so.
If your child needs school supplies and a teacher or school refuses to help, the attorneys at the Legal Aid Society may be able to provide free legal assistance. As Tennessee’s largest nonprofit legal organization, we defend the rights of low-income and vulnerable people to the basic necessities of life.
We have eight offices serving 48 counties in Middle Tennessee (Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Oak Ridge and Tullahoma). To find out if you are eligible for our services, call us at 1.800.238.1443.
