Here's a concrete example for math that could have been adopted in English-language classrooms (other languages might be available; I didn't look.) This is a plug-and-play Singapore Math curriculum that could be used in grade 3-5 distance learning classes. The program is expanding down to grades 1-2 this year.
A full video series for one year of curriculum costs $85 and, depending on which textbooks you want, and whether you incorporate workbook exercises, let's add another $50 for books, shipping, and taxes.
That's $135 for a bare-minimum, no-teacher solution that could then free up teacher resources for the highest-need students, roughly 1.1% of the average annual per capita student budget in the US.
The schools could even take the initiative to bulk purchase the texts and workbooks, and have them shipped directly to students' homes.
Multiple layers of redundancy. Opportunities for students to accelerate. Teacher time freed up to target high needs students. Low cost and evidence-based. In a pandemic, what's the downside? Frankly, in normal times, what's the downside?
