Basis 8th grade to Walls-vent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

+1. Just like with comps, if you've been paying attention in class, you will pass. There's no need to be stressing out over this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

Their AP score actually determines their final grade, so it is a lot of pressure for 8th graders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

Do you have an 8th grader in this class? My kid has come home talking about how nobody in the class did well on certain assignments. Will be interesting to hear how the mock AP went - which is a reminder that I should ask kid.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

+1. Just like with comps, if you've been paying attention in class, you will pass. There's no need to be stressing out over this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

+1. Just like with comps, if you've been paying attention in class, you will pass. There's no need to be stressing out over this.

You don’t get a 3, 4 or 5 on an AP exam by just paying attention in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

Also, don't assume that most BASIS kids are excelling in math; a lot of them do struggle despite some truly great math teachers at BASIS. By the time the kids need to take SAT/ACT/etc. their math instruction is so advanced that they mess up on the "more basic" math these tests target. The admin constantly talks about the need to organize math revision camps before major tests to improve math test scores. Acceleration works but only to an extent.

Sounds like they are excelling in math but need more prep in dumbed-down math and test-taking skills for standardized tests.

Your response does not make sense. If you have a strong math foundation, you should not need test taking skills for the math portion of the SAT. Yes, you need to do practice tests to gain speed and familiarity but you should not need test taking tricks. And basic math is way more useful than advanced math. How many people use calculus after college? Very few at the end of the day

How many people use physics, chemistry, biology, etc after college?

Maybe your kid should go to vocational school and become a plumber?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

+1. Just like with comps, if you've been paying attention in class, you will pass. There's no need to be stressing out over this.

You don’t get a 3, 4 or 5 on an AP exam by just paying attention in class.

huh? you do if the course is taught well.

My kids are at at Big3 High school. No one studies for the AP exams and they almost all get 5s. My kids have received at 5 on every AP exam they've taken, without any outside studying (and half of these are not even AP courses--just took the exam following the on-level course).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

+1. Just like with comps, if you've been paying attention in class, you will pass. There's no need to be stressing out over this.

You don’t get a 3, 4 or 5 on an AP exam by just paying attention in class.

huh? you do if the course is taught well.

My kids are at at Big3 High school. No one studies for the AP exams and they almost all get 5s. My kids have received at 5 on every AP exam they've taken, without any outside studying (and half of these are not even AP courses--just took the exam following the on-level course).

Let me guess, your kids are not in 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

+1. Just like with comps, if you've been paying attention in class, you will pass. There's no need to be stressing out over this.

You don’t get a 3, 4 or 5 on an AP exam by just paying attention in class.

huh? you do if the course is taught well.

My kids are at at Big3 High school. No one studies for the AP exams and they almost all get 5s. My kids have received at 5 on every AP exam they've taken, without any outside studying (and half of these are not even AP courses--just took the exam following the on-level course).

Let me guess, your kids are not in 8th grade.

You wouldn't need to guess if you knew how to read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids.
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.

I feel the same way about the current 8th graders being asked to take the AP US Gov exam in early May. They are just not developmentally ready for AP exams in 8th grade and the College Board will not even give them credit for it.

100% this. I don’t want my 8th grader taking AP exams. What scores are these 8th graders getting on AP gov?
Why put so much unnecessary pressure on kids who are not yet in HS?

This is the first year the 8th graders in DC are taking AP exams en masse, so we will have to wait until July/August for the results. BASIS in Arizona had 8th graders take AP exams in the past but they no longer do. In all fairness, the school pays the exam fees but still, it is excessive.

It's not a lot of pressure? It's just a test.

+1. Just like with comps, if you've been paying attention in class, you will pass. There's no need to be stressing out over this.

You don’t get a 3, 4 or 5 on an AP exam by just paying attention in class.

The average BASIS DC AP score for US Gov and Politics is 3.

[Anonymous]

“I’m concerned that 8th grade might be too soon to deal with AP exams.”
“But my students in grades 9-12 don’t study and do well.”
Objection, your honor, non-responsive.