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Teacher Puts Ads on Tests to Pay for Copies

Budget cuts force test-happy prof to take drastic action

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 2, 2008 2:17 PM CST
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(Newser) – When his suburban San Diego high school cut his photocopy budget to $316, calculus teacher Tom Farber had a problem. Because he gives a lot of tests—to make sure his students have enough practice for their AP exam, he says—he racks up $500 a year in 3-cents-per-page copy costs. So he got resourceful. Farber began selling ad space on his test papers, at $10 to $30 a pop. “Tough times call for tough actions,” he says.

The plan pulled in $350, though not everyone’s thrilled with the arrangement. “The advertisers are paying for something, and it’s access to kids,” says the director of a nonprofit that fights commercialization of schools. But the principal thinks the ads are reasonable. Roughly two-thirds are inspirational messages from parents, while the rest come from local businesses. “It’s not like, ‘This test brought to you by McDonalds or Nike.’”

With budgets shrinking, one math teacher came up with an interesting way of paying for his tests.
With budgets shrinking, one math teacher came up with an interesting way of paying for his tests.   (Shutterstock)
With budgets shrinking, one math teacher came up with an interesting way of paying for his tests.
With budgets shrinking, one math teacher came up with an interesting way of paying for his tests.   (Shutterstock)
With budgets shrinking, one math teacher came up with an interesting way of paying for his tests.
With budgets shrinking, one math teacher came up with an interesting way of paying for his tests.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Dec 3, 2008 1:40 AM CST
Ads on test papers? Our educational system is a shame if money isn't available for our children
Mr.C
Dec 2, 2008 9:59 PM CST
There is a nonprofit that fights commercialization of schools?
US • Media • Money

 
high school • advertising • school budget • tests

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