How do parents of underpriviledged children afford public school?

Public school is supposed to be free. But fees for everything seems to make it anything but free. $15 to take Advanced Placement biology, $40 for band class and $11 for a Spanish workbook are normal fees. Lab fees, band fees, art fees and ill-defined "activity" fees are proliferating in cash-strapped public schools at a time when many families are watching their spending.

Schools routinely charge students for goods and services and contend that the fees are permitted by state law. There are often fees for items such as workbooks, computer supplies, paintbrushes and gym suits. In addition, schools sometimes charge for use of lockers, musical instruments, football uniforms and parking spaces. Students who owe money may be excluded from graduation or be denied a report card.
Without fees, education officials say, schools might have to cut courses, swap acrylic paints for pencil and paper or send the band onto the field in T-shirts.

The bottom line is that public schools should have everything directly related to a school's curriculum be available to all free of charge. These fees need to stop because they are directly hurting those who don't have the means to pay. Education should be free truly free.