Quiz: Back to School Spending

1. For most Kindergarten through 12th-grade students, the school year runs about¹

Schools tend to start earlier in southern regions compared to farther north. More than 67% of students in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee started school the week of August 7. What is the most popular week for students to return to the classroom?²

Back-to-school supplies are a must as kids prepare for the classroom. The growing reliance on tablets, computers, and other electronics has driven costs higher in recent years. How much should families be prepared to spend for back-to-school supplies this year?³

A Ticonderoga wood pencil can be found in almost any elementary school. The average #2 pencil can be sharpened 17 times before it’s out of service.⁴

Pencils are considered zero gravity since they can work upside down. But pencils have limits. They don’t work underwater.⁵

6. How much does the federal government spend each year on primary and secondary education programs?⁶

7. Proponents say that working while going to high school helps teach the value of money and time-management skills. Critics say it can hurt academic achievement and that these jobs don’t teach skills that can lead to career advancement. What percentage of high school students work?⁷

Back-to-college shopping tends to be more expensive than costs for high school students. What percentage of shopping is done online for college?⁸