With cash money in short supply, parents were unable to provide their children with the necessary clothes, supplies, and textbooks for school. Textbooks weren't even furnished in some states to attend school.

In most rural areas, taxes went unpaid. With the loss of incoming money, school boards were forced to try other strategies to keep their schools operating. School terms were shortened, along with the teacher's salaries.

The Dick and Jane series taught millions of children to read and write. These series introduced only one word per page and a limited vocabulary per book to the students.

Many American writers produced a lot of fiction through the thirties. Some of the novels throughout this depressing period explained what was happening in the country during the Great Depression. People explained what happened during the Dust Bowl, racism, and attempts to rise above the poor thirites.