"According to new research released by the National School Supply and Equipment Association, over 30 percent of teachers spent less on both school supplies and instructional materials in the 2009-2010 school year than the previous year. Teachers and schools alike can no longer afford to purchase classroom necessities that will give children the equal opportunity to learn. Budgets are tightening at every level, increasing the burden on low-income families to provide the essentials for their children, such as pens, pencils, binders and even reams of paper for use in school printers."