Learning pods gain popularity amid pandemic but raise questions over equity

The arguments raised in this story are no different than when calculators and PCs were becoming mainstream.  Families with the means to afford these learning tools were getting an "unfair advantage" over kids with poorer families.

In other words, the poorer kids will be competing with the richer kids for jobs, and having access to things like high-speed Internet will be the deciding factor.

Maybe they have to take a new perspective on the problem.  It isn't that "Ritchie Rich" has better electronics.  It's that the government, who pretends to be the sole arbiter of "free education" (at tax payer expense) chooses not to offer these resources to "disadvantaged" families.

If, say, 30% of the kids in a school have the means to pay $10K-$15K per child per year for in-home Leaning Pods, that REDUCES the demand on public schools by almost a third.  Are they so blind they can't figure out that equates to a 30% increase in funding for the kids that are still attending public schools?  If fixed costs are controlled, then there is plenty of money to spend on the "disadvantaged students" and give them the same (or better) resources.

The district could offer free or steeply discounted internet services to their students.  They could hire a few of the professional Learning Pod teacher types to offer the same classes to public school enrollees.  And, if the families see the public education QUALITY reaching that of the private options, it's logical they would opt back into the public system -- which necessarily qualifies the school for more funding.

Competition is a good thing for CONSUMERS.  The only ones who don't like it are the ones on the losing end of the "game".

Our schools are run by teacher's unions.  Maybe it's time we started Parent and Student Unions, to fight for a fairer share of the education budget.

It's been a long time since Hawaii's state-run school board system was examined.  We are the only state in the country that does this.  Every other state funds schools at the city and county level, placing the decisions and spending at the local community level.  I've heard the supply warehouse for the state's schools is jam-packed with stuff they bought over the years (at someone's benefit) and was never used -- or, in many cases, needed.

Lingle tried to address that very problem, but she was given zero support by the Legislature.  Nothing will change until those with high-paying government jobs are ousted and the system revamped to produce positive results vs. funneling ever-increasing gobs of cash to them.

America has turned into a nation of cry babies. How dare you educate your kids! If there were a sinking ship but only half enough life boats they would demand no one get life boats.

This is a great topic to bring attention to.

I’ve heard something like almost 70 cents on a dollar for education goes towards paperwork/bureaucracy. I’m not even surprised by that figure.

We decided years ago since my job had health benefits my wife would start homeschooling the kids, despite the fact that she was starting to make really good money, as we didn’t want our kids in the system, and 3 kids in private school, juggling schedules, wasn’t going to work.

There are a lot of charter schools here that are both home schooling/learning in class a few times a month just to check their progress if a parent was worried about their child’s learning progress. Home schooling is daunting but much needed given how society acts these days. The fact that the DOE has been trying for several years to shutdown the charter school my child attends PROVES we are in the right place.

I’m not holding my breath but something like Rand Paul’s school choice bill would be amazing.  Put these indoctrination camps out out business!

Learning pods gain popularity amid pandemic but raise questions over equity

The arguments raised in this story are no different than when calculators and PCs were becoming mainstream.  Families with the means to afford these learning tools were getting an "unfair advantage" over kids with poorer families.

In other words, the poorer kids will be competing with the richer kids for jobs, and having access to things like high-speed Internet will be the deciding factor.

Maybe they have to take a new perspective on the problem.  It isn't that "Ritchie Rich" has better electronics.  It's that the government, who pretends to be the sole arbiter of "free education" (at tax payer expense) chooses not to offer these resources to "disadvantaged" families.

If, say, 30% of the kids in a school have the means to pay $10K-$15K per child per year for in-home Leaning Pods, that REDUCES the demand on public schools by almost a third.  Are they so blind they can't figure out that equates to a 30% increase in funding for the kids that are still attending public schools?  If fixed costs are controlled, then there is plenty of money to spend on the "disadvantaged students" and give them the same (or better) resources.

The district could offer free or steeply discounted internet services to their students.  They could hire a few of the professional Learning Pod teacher types to offer the same classes to public school enrollees.  And, if the families see the public education QUALITY reaching that of the private options, it's logical they would opt back into the public system -- which necessarily qualifies the school for more funding.

Competition is a good thing for CONSUMERS.  The only ones who don't like it are the ones on the losing end of the "game".

Our schools are run by teacher's unions.  Maybe it's time we started Parent and Student Unions, to fight for a fairer share of the education budget.

It's been a long time since Hawaii's state-run school board system was examined.  We are the only state in the country that does this.  Every other state funds schools at the city and county level, placing the decisions and spending at the local community level.  I've heard the supply warehouse for the state's schools is jam-packed with stuff they bought over the years (at someone's benefit) and was never used -- or, in many cases, needed.

Lingle tried to address that very problem, but she was given zero support by the Legislature.  Nothing will change until those with high-paying government jobs are ousted and the system revamped to produce positive results vs. funneling ever-increasing gobs of cash to them.

I grew up in some of the best public schools
in the world.
I had the choice of Spanish, French, German, Latin,  and Mandarin
in school from 7th to 12th grades.
Math, sciences, history, and shop classes to cover the spectrum.
Plus about any sport you could imagine. I did a 5 minute mile
when I was 14 years old.
Then Democrats took over and unions started to rule.
That school district today is a Ghetto.
Inspector and I grew up in the same general area
and he may concur.  I probably Egged his high school
after a football game.
Solution is to go all private schools and taxes go to vouchers.
Let parents select what their kids learn, not racist
social justice workers AKA union teachers.
We ALL want all kids to grow up and live happy and
free lives regardless of race or cultural backgrounds.
I'm done.
 

This is a great topic to bring attention to.

I’ve heard something like almost 70 cents on a dollar for education goes towards paperwork/bureaucracy. I’m not even surprised by that figure.

We decided years ago since my job had health benefits my wife would start homeschooling the kids, despite the fact that she was starting to make really good money, as we didn’t want our kids in the system, and 3 kids in private school, juggling schedules, wasn’t going to work.

There are a lot of charter schools here that are both home schooling/learning in class a few times a month just to check their progress if a parent was worried about their child’s learning progress. Home schooling is daunting but much needed given how society acts these days. The fact that the DOE has been trying for several years to shutdown the charter school my child attends PROVES we are in the right place.

I’m not holding my breath but something like Rand Paul’s school choice bill would be amazing.  Put these indoctrination camps out out business!

Now that most schools are still on lockdown, they are forced to hold remote classes via Zoom or services like these Learning Pod companies. 

Public school teachers have actually told students and parents that they are not allowed to let the parents monitor what the kids are doing online in these classes.

 

What are they afraid the parents are going to see?  Very suspicious.  When my kids started elementary school, we were encouraged as parents to visit the classrooms whenever we wished.

Sounds like a teacher's union "protection" mechanism so teachers can't be called out for incompetence or pushing an ideology the parents don't follow/like.

Now that most schools are still on lockdown, they are forced to hold remote classes via Zoom or services like these Learning Pod companies. 

Public school teachers have actually told students and parents that they are not allowed to let the parents monitor what the kids are doing online in these classes.

 

What are they afraid the parents are going to see?  Very suspicious.  When my kids started elementary school, we were encouraged as parents to visit the classrooms whenever we wished.

Sounds like a teacher's union "protection" mechanism so teachers can't be called out for incompetence or pushing an ideology the parents don't follow/like.

Yup. Super suspicious.

My middle is in private school, because he missed that BS cutoff date by two days. After that Off to the charter school, which is 99% home school anyway.

DOE and teacher’s unions don’t give a rip and most colleges these days, They churn out crap these days. I had to explain to an engineer, an actual gainfully employed engineer, why there is a finance charge on loans. Mind blown.

Yup. Super suspicious.

My middle is in private school, because he missed that BS cutoff date by two days. After that Off to the charter school, which is 99% home school anyway.

DOE and teacher’s unions don’t give a rip and most colleges these days, They churn out crap these days. I had to explain to an engineer, an actual gainfully employed engineer, why there is a finance charge on loans. Mind blown.

Loans have finance charges?

Who knew?      

The engineer is demonstrating a high degree of entitlement.  If I loan you $1,000 for a year, and you pay it back ontime, you should only be required to pay back $1,000 total.  Otherwise, it's just not "fair."

He/she will be paying off those student loans until after they die.

Sounds like one of those car buyers who shops around for the lowest payments.  No clue how much the vehicle will cost over time.