Teacher selling ads on students tests

Here's one way to deal with school cuts. A teacher in San Diego, Tom Farber, is selling ads on his quizzes. Details from USA Today:

Farber had a problem. At 3 cents a page, his tests would cost more than $500 a year. His copying budget: $316. But he wanted to give students enough practice for the big tests they'll face in the spring, such as the Advanced Placement exam. "Tough times call for tough actions," he says. So he started selling ads on his test papers: $10 for a quiz, $20 for a chapter test, $30 for a semester final. San Diego magazine and The San Diego Union-Tribune featured his plan just before Thanksgiving, and Farber came home from a few days out of town to 75 e-mail requests for ads. So far, he has collected $350. His semester final is sold out.

LAist's take: "Farber shouldn't have to put his own money down--the average teacher spends $430 of their own money each year--but does he have any other choices?"

--Shelby Grad

Photo: Anacleto Rapping/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Duane Storey]

It's commendable what he's trying to do, but really he's just masking a government problem. As long as people come up with band-aids like this, the real solution to the problem (adequate funding) may never emerge.

[Dave]

Innovative. Not sure how ethical it is; but interesting and sad that so many teachers have to pony up (with their own earnings) the budget shortfalls of the local and state governments -just to insure students get a decent chance at an advanced education.