I've been asked a few times recently if there are things school districts can do to help parents create equitable learning pods to support students during online instruction. But I think that premise is flawed, and here's why: 1/

Parents seem to be pursuing pandemic learning pods as an option because they realize (correctly) that it's hard for one teacher to effectively teach 20 or 30 students online. And they see pods as a way to give their kids small-group interactions and hands-on instruction. 2/

If that's the goal, let's reframe the debate: What parents want for their kids right now, and what kids need, is not private learning pods but *small class sizes.* One teacher. Less than 10 kids. All regularly interacting together online. All getting hands-on support. 3/

If we reframe the debate that way, then there is a potentially equitable solution. And that's giving public school districts the money they need to hire enough teachers so that every student can be part of a small class, taught by a single teacher, with hands-on support online.//

Oh, and I should clarify here that by "hands-on support," I don't mean in-person instruction. Of course, that would be great if districts have money to open safely. But that seems unlikely in most places. And individual support is still possible with small groups online.