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| Version 10 | Version 11 |
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| Do Learning Pods Endanger Equality? | Do Learning Pods Endanger Equality? |
| (4 days later) | |
| To the Editor: | To the Editor: |
| In “Perpetuating Segregation With ‘Pods’” (Op-Ed, July 23), Clara Totenberg Green warns about the worsening of inequities as schools remain closed and parents with the means to do so organize small learning groups for their children. | In “Perpetuating Segregation With ‘Pods’” (Op-Ed, July 23), Clara Totenberg Green warns about the worsening of inequities as schools remain closed and parents with the means to do so organize small learning groups for their children. |
| No schooling plans in the time of the coronavirus are going to solve racism or the disparity between rich and poor. Alluding to white supremacy won’t help either. | No schooling plans in the time of the coronavirus are going to solve racism or the disparity between rich and poor. Alluding to white supremacy won’t help either. |
| All parents will do what is best for their own children, especially in a crisis. As poor — and, therefore, many minority — parents have fewer resources to help their children, the state should come in to address the inequity. Providing computers, internet access and money for day care would help, since we failed to address the Covid-19 virus in time for school to reopen. | All parents will do what is best for their own children, especially in a crisis. As poor — and, therefore, many minority — parents have fewer resources to help their children, the state should come in to address the inequity. Providing computers, internet access and money for day care would help, since we failed to address the Covid-19 virus in time for school to reopen. |
| Facing the systematic racism in society means changing laws and policies that disadvantage minority groups. Help addicts and young people rather than lock them up. Train the police to defuse situations rather than threaten violence. Ensure fair elections. Provide health care for the sick and working poor. And so on. | Facing the systematic racism in society means changing laws and policies that disadvantage minority groups. Help addicts and young people rather than lock them up. Train the police to defuse situations rather than threaten violence. Ensure fair elections. Provide health care for the sick and working poor. And so on. |
| Belle Sumter Carmichael ColemanBirmingham, Ala. | Belle Sumter Carmichael ColemanBirmingham, Ala. |
| To the Editor: | To the Editor: |
| I share the concerns noted in your Op-Ed. My 45 years’ experience as an educator convinces me that every time more children with greater needs end up concentrated in the same learning environments, educational progress suffers. | I share the concerns noted in your Op-Ed. My 45 years’ experience as an educator convinces me that every time more children with greater needs end up concentrated in the same learning environments, educational progress suffers. |
| But let’s use this special moment in our history to have some necessary, tough conversations and build some critical community bridges. As far as the learning pods are concerned, perhaps principals and teachers can make proactive calls today to those parents forming such pods and ask if they are willing to add some low-income kids, even if their parents can’t contribute much. Find low-income parents willing to participate in this arrangement. | But let’s use this special moment in our history to have some necessary, tough conversations and build some critical community bridges. As far as the learning pods are concerned, perhaps principals and teachers can make proactive calls today to those parents forming such pods and ask if they are willing to add some low-income kids, even if their parents can’t contribute much. Find low-income parents willing to participate in this arrangement. |
| Don’t be afraid to try something bold; these children need you to be strong. Even if only one pod takes you up on your request, it will have been worth the effort. | Don’t be afraid to try something bold; these children need you to be strong. Even if only one pod takes you up on your request, it will have been worth the effort. |
| Lonnie PalmerPalm Beach Gardens, Fla. | Lonnie PalmerPalm Beach Gardens, Fla. |
| To the Editor: | To the Editor: |
| I am a public elementary schoolteacher in Minnesota. Last spring, I struggled to connect with my students online; it was so hard for them to get the help they needed. They don’t yet have the skills to reach out electronically when they don’t understand. | I am a public elementary schoolteacher in Minnesota. Last spring, I struggled to connect with my students online; it was so hard for them to get the help they needed. They don’t yet have the skills to reach out electronically when they don’t understand. |
| This fall, I plan to keep my Zoom room open all the time during school hours. I’m going to encourage kids to stay there with me, with cameras and audio off maybe, but just a click away from expert help. | This fall, I plan to keep my Zoom room open all the time during school hours. I’m going to encourage kids to stay there with me, with cameras and audio off maybe, but just a click away from expert help. |
| Parents who have the resources to form pods but don’t want to perpetuate racism can reach out to their schools and volunteer to be a “go to” in such a virtual space. They could be the encouragers/tech support/problem explainers that a lot of kids were missing when they were trying to learn from home. (It would be a great thing for college students looking for a way to make a difference, too.) | Parents who have the resources to form pods but don’t want to perpetuate racism can reach out to their schools and volunteer to be a “go to” in such a virtual space. They could be the encouragers/tech support/problem explainers that a lot of kids were missing when they were trying to learn from home. (It would be a great thing for college students looking for a way to make a difference, too.) |
| Updated Aug. 17, 2020 | |
| The latest on how schools are navigating an uncertain season. | |
| Are there still other problems? Sure. But this would be one way for people of privilege and means to support the success of all students while still supporting their students. | Are there still other problems? Sure. But this would be one way for people of privilege and means to support the success of all students while still supporting their students. |
| Michelle MartinNorthfield, Minn. | Michelle MartinNorthfield, Minn. |
| To the Editor: | To the Editor: |
| Education must be part of the discussion on racial justice. | Education must be part of the discussion on racial justice. |
| We need to rethink schooling that isn’t based on an agricultural era calendar, an industrial era delivery system, inadequate teacher training and a skimpy curriculum that no longer addresses the whole child living in today’s multiracial, multicultural world. | We need to rethink schooling that isn’t based on an agricultural era calendar, an industrial era delivery system, inadequate teacher training and a skimpy curriculum that no longer addresses the whole child living in today’s multiracial, multicultural world. |
| The Covid virus has forced us to appreciate how important public education is to our democracy and our economic success. Shouldn’t we respond with an education system that is in tune with the times? | The Covid virus has forced us to appreciate how important public education is to our democracy and our economic success. Shouldn’t we respond with an education system that is in tune with the times? |
| Mary BillsRancho Santa Fe, Calif. | Mary BillsRancho Santa Fe, Calif. |