OK, let me preface this by stating that I live in one of the "richer" districts [Pleasanton]. We are given a list at the beginning of the year of "required" supplies that the kids must bring to class. This list includes kleenex, paper towels, marker pens, and generally has about $100 worth of stuff. This isn't a financial problem for most of the parents [I guess the theory is if you can afford to live in Pleasanton, you can afford to buy the school supplies]. We get solicited for money just about every week and have four or five fundraisers going on simultaneously. We also have the highest paid teachers in the county, with 20/1 ratios up to the third grade and 33/1 in 4th/5th grades.

That being said, education is no longer the focus of the schools.... test scores are. Kids are being taught to score well on the statewide standardized test scores, thus guaranteeing more funding for the next year, and so on. It's almost like the school districts are trying to pump out a generation of test-taking experts rather than educated, well-rounded individuals. It's a horribly cynical cycle of chasing state funding for the purpose of self-preservation.
ToddCommish