Basis DC just withdrew its request to amend their charter and add elementary school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people happy about this? I'm not a basis parent and would t send my current preschooler to basis elem if I had the choice. BUT it seems like DC needs more,not less, legit legitimately challenging charter schools. Plenty of schools serve struggling, high risk kids but what about the kid that really is years ahead of classmates? Basis seemed like a good fit for some of those kids.

I'm a current BASIS parent. I read the application and it was a cut and paste job from other cities and didn't really address the challenges the DC school has had. The DCPCSB members who spoke at the hearing were full of praise for the results the current students have achieved but were also very concerned about the steady drop in the numbers of students of color and with disabilities at BASIS DC over the last 5 years and the overall attrition rate.

The Board asked hard questions about whether they are truly committed and capable of serving any and all students in the city who would get in through the lottery. The proposal didn't suggest that they were and they were told to shore up their application in the month between the hearing and the vote.

From a political and optics perspective BASIS didn't do itself any favors by saying in the application that they were only interested in locating in Wards 1-6 or by having only 1 of the BASIS DC Board members in attendance for the p public hearing (there were 5 or 6 BASIS.ed staff from Arizona there). The local Board member who went was unfortunately unable to answer many questions about the plans (solely because she was pretty new to the Board and wasn't privy to the discussion about deciding to pursue an elementary school).

Maybe the DCPCSB would have approved the application. But I think it would have been a split decision or come with some conditions or criticism. If that's true BASIS would not want to risk that, so instead they withdrew the plan a week before the vote.

Thanks for this update! Its good to hear that the DCPCSB has some standards and independence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason some people are happy is that they like their elementary school option(s) but not their middle school. If Basis starts at elementary school, then Basis middle school won't be available to people who use their neighborhood school or other charter first.

Well that's quite selfish!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason some people are happy is that they like their elementary school option(s) but not their middle school. If Basis starts at elementary school, then Basis middle school won't be available to people who use their neighborhood school or other charter first.

Well that's quite selfish!

Is it? Any more selfish than people who want it to start earlier to solve their needs? Obviously, the kids there now started in middle school, and others with younger children have, logically, had that in mind as a possible path.

The real problem is the near non-existence of good middle schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason some people are happy is that they like their elementary school option(s) but not their middle school. If Basis starts at elementary school, then Basis middle school won't be available to people who use their neighborhood school or other charter first.

Well that's quite selfish!

Is it? Any more selfish than people who want it to start earlier to solve their needs? Obviously, the kids there now started in middle school, and others with younger children have, logically, had that in mind as a possible path.

The real problem is the near non-existence of good middle schools.

It's completely selfish, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason some people are happy is that they like their elementary school option(s) but not their middle school. If Basis starts at elementary school, then Basis middle school won't be available to people who use their neighborhood school or other charter first.

Well that's quite selfish!

Is it? Any more selfish than people who want it to start earlier to solve their needs? Obviously, the kids there now started in middle school, and others with younger children have, logically, had that in mind as a possible path.

The real problem is the near non-existence of good middle schools.

It's completely selfish, yes.

And you choose to send your kids to a poorly-performing school so that more spots at good schools are left open for other kids?

[Anonymous]

The cynic in me says it's because they just realized they can open basis private schools now in the district and get tuition voucher money AnD federal money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The cynic in me says it's because they just realized they can open basis private schools now in the district and get tuition voucher money AnD federal money.

The for-profit charter school gravy train is about to begin! Get on board!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The cynic in me says it's because they just realized they can open basis private schools now in the district and get tuition voucher money AnD federal money.

Doubtful. Tuition vouchers will be too small. Their private tuition is $27K/year and they do and cannot have financial aid as a for-profit independent.

[Anonymous]

Kleptocracy is poised to take over and no one better than Rhee (or Moskowitz) and BASIS to profit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kleptocracy is poised to take over and no one better than Rhee (or Moskowitz) and BASIS to profit!

BASIS DC is a de facto for profit/private organization. The school makes sure to keep certain families happy, including some FARM students for the show. By the same token, they get rid of students as they please, regardless of their academics. A student can get all A's all year long until the final exam, which can render the A to a C or a D. Even by DC Charter standards, it is utterly disgusting what is being done to these children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kleptocracy is poised to take over and no one better than Rhee (or Moskowitz) and BASIS to profit!

BASIS DC is a de facto for profit/private organization. The school makes sure to keep certain families happy, including some FARM students for the show. By the same token, they get rid of students as they please, regardless of their academics. A student can get all A's all year long until the final exam, which can render the A to a C or a D. Even by DC Charter standards, it is utterly disgusting what is being done to these children.

Many things to criticize about BASIS but the grading scale - which puts a very large weight on the final exams - is well publicized and applies to all students equally. It's readily available on the website (see link below) and discussed at every open house and prospective student event. No one should be surprised by this. If your child is doing well on tests all year -- without test corrections -- they'll be fine. If they are struggling they need to be going to student hours regularly and practicing with a parent at home.

http://www.basisdc.org/parent-student-handbook.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people happy about this? I'm not a basis parent and would t send my current preschooler to basis elem if I had the choice. BUT it seems like DC needs more,not less, legit legitimately challenging charter schools. Plenty of schools serve struggling, high risk kids but what about the kid that really is years ahead of classmates? Basis seemed like a good fit for some of those kids.

I'm a current BASIS parent. I read the application and it was a cut and paste job from other cities and didn't really address the challenges the DC school has had. The DCPCSB members who spoke at the hearing were full of praise for the results the current students have achieved but were also very concerned about the steady drop in the numbers of students of color and with disabilities at BASIS DC over the last 5 years and the overall attrition rate.

The Board asked hard questions about whether they are truly committed and capable of serving any and all students in the city who would get in through the lottery. The proposal didn't suggest that they were and they were told to shore up their application in the month between the hearing and the vote.

From a political and optics perspective BASIS didn't do itself any favors by saying in the application that they were only interested in locating in Wards 1-6 or by having only 1 of the BASIS DC Board members in attendance for the p public hearing (there were 5 or 6 BASIS.ed staff from Arizona there). The local Board member who went was unfortunately unable to answer many questions about the plans (solely because she was pretty new to the Board and wasn't privy to the discussion about deciding to pursue an elementary school).

Maybe the DCPCSB would have approved the application. But I think it would have been a split decision or come with some conditions or criticism. If that's true BASIS would not want to risk that, so instead they withdrew the plan a week before the vote.

Thanks for this update! Its good to hear that the DCPCSB has some standards and independence.

Indeed. And they're demonstrably higher than DCPS (but that just about goes without saying any more).

[Anonymous]

The DCPCSB will vote on 11/21 on whether to renew BASIS' 5 year charter. The materials for this decision are on the DCPCSB website and are pretty positive. The staff recommends the charter be renewed.

Link to materials here: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=2116656#anchor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The Board asked hard questions about whether they are truly committed and capable of serving any and all students in the city who would get in through the lottery. The proposal didn't suggest that they were and they were told to shore up their application in the month between the hearing and the vote.

From a political and optics perspective BASIS didn't do itself any favors by saying in the application that they were only interested in locating in Wards 1-6 or by having only 1 of the BASIS DC Board members in attendance for the p public hearing (there were 5 or 6 BASIS.ed staff from Arizona there). The local Board member who went was unfortunately unable to answer many questions about the plans (solely because she was pretty new to the Board and wasn't privy to the discussion about deciding to pursue an elementary school).

I watched the entire hearing. The board seems to place an unreasonable emphasis on issues like school location and the ability to serve special needs students. If Basis wants to open a charter in ward 2, near their current school, let them. If someone else wants to open a charter in ward 8, let them. If Basis wants to open a charter emphasizing rigorous academic achievement or have a grading system that is final exam heavy, great. If someone else wants to open a charter focused on remedial education, also great. Does the charter board criticize Yu Ying because it only caters to students and parents who want Mandarin immersion? I have no issue with the charter board ensuring schools adhere to fair and open access through the lottery, meet reasonable educational benchmarks, provide an acceptable physical environment and otherwise ensure students aren't being mistreated, but it was clear from the hearing that they go well above and beyond this to impose their own preconceptions and are limiting the ability for parents to decide which school is best for their child.

[Anonymous]

For those of you who are complaining that it was withdrawn, did you write letters in support of the expansion during the public comment period?

Being silent has consequences too!