FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2023
Contact: Christina Mazzanti
703-717-5333
christina@aaeteachers.org
AAE Statement of Support for Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2023
Mission Viejo, CA – The Association of American Educators (AAE), a national professional association serving educators in all fifty states, endorses H.R. 5357: Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2023 which, as introduced, would increase the Educator Expense Deduction to $1,000.
“This bill reflects an appropriately bipartisan response to a financial burden facing educators nationwide, stated AAE Executive Director Colin Sharkey. “We are pleased to see Congress responding to AAE’s demand to increase the educator expense deduction to $1000 and encourage members to take swift action to pass this bill.”
AAE’s recent national survey of educators revealed 94% of survey respondents support increasing the deduction to $1,000. Nearly 97% of survey respondents are purchasing classroom supplies out-of-pocket with the average amount spent at $673 per year, more than double the current $300 Educator Expense Deduction (EED). Classroom teachers earning between $35,000 and $50,000 are spending $715 on average and classroom teachers working in school districts with 75% or more students eligible for free or reduced price lunch are spending $761. Nearly four in ten teachers report the amount spent increases each year.
“Our nation’s dedicated educators annually dip further into their own pockets to ensure our students have essential classroom supplies,” added AAE’s Sharkey. “We know nearly half of America’s teachers are parents, many of whom are also purchasing supplies for their own children, and none of our educators are immune from the pressures of inflation. A public school teacher earning $44,000 should not feel she has to spend 2% of her take home pay on essential school supplies for the classroom—and we certainly should not be taxing her on top of that sacrifice.”
AAE has been advocating for an increase in the Educator Expense Deduction to $1,000 since 2020, and is now urging Congress to bring the deduction in line with the realities of educators’ out-of-pocket expenses and the skyrocketing cost-of-living through H.R. 5357.
In addition to an increase of Educator Expense Deduction to $1,000, AAE calls for a portion of the cost of reliable home internet access, which is a standard tool for today’s educator, to be added as an allowable expense. Nearly seven in ten survey respondents use their home internet service more than five hours each week to fulfill their duties as an educator, despite this expense not being eligible for the EED. 94% of respondents also support including some broadband costs in the deduction.
The survey, available to all AAE members, was conducted online August 8 – 11, 2023. Results are not weighted and are based on 1,151 professional educator completed surveys, the vast majority of which are by classroom teachers in public district schools.
The Association of American Educators (AAE) is the largest national, nonunion, professional educator organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to educator empowerment and advocacy—promoting professionalism, collaboration, and excellence without a partisan agenda. AAE is committed to a teaching profession that is student oriented, well respected, and personally fulfilling. AAE serves members in all fifty states and welcomes professionals from all education entities. Membership includes $2 million professional liability insurance, employment rights coverage, professional resources, and many other benefits. Classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, student teachers, university professors, and supporters can learn more at joinaae.org.
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