Deal or Basis for DCs? Advice Needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Math acceleration at BASIS is objective fact, but PP can't seem to get beyond her own non-objective bias and own agenda, to be able to understand that.

Not a fact if it isn't successful. Merely an assertion.

What are your criteria for success, PP? How many of the 8 kids in Algebra II would have to pass the comp for you to concede hat the class was a success?

[Anonymous]

As a basis parent, I can see success in the accelerated Algebra class, even before the end of the term. My DC is being challenged in every class. Previously, DC would never (or almost never) get anything wrong on a math test and the homework far to easy for DC to take seriously. Now DC often gets homework problems wrong. He then has to go back to correct mistakes. This is learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Math acceleration at BASIS is objective fact, but PP can't seem to get beyond her own non-objective bias and own agenda, to be able to understand that.


Not a fact if it isn't successful. Merely an assertion.


What are your criteria for success, PP? How many of the 8 kids in Algebra II would have to pass the comp for you to concede hat the class was a success?

Well, all of them. Considering the comp has not been given and you can't say that any of those 8 kids will pass, then we are a long way from your proclaiming success and expecting anyone to concede anything. Yet. Maybe you should worry less about being right and let the kids try and pass the class. You really shouldn't be so pushy.

[Anonymous]

They took a placement test that has been used for about 10 years to get placed in Algebra II and they get assessed weekly - so there would easily have already been over a dozen opportunities to see how those students are doing. Also, some of the students in Algebra II participated in the STARS program for several months and were assessed on their Algebra skills there as well. Any of them that is struggling would already have been identified and they would be looking to move any struggling student back down to a lower level.

Ultimately the mere fact that the option even exists is a success over the status quo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
And, it boggles the mind that people would be so staunchly opposed to the possibility of the DC area ever getting any kind of accelerated curriculum option. Why must we fight to deliberately keep the bar extremely low and deny students any option of ever having a more robust curriculum? Can anyone out there name any other free public option in the DC area that offers in this kind of accelerated program? I can't.

It's often not the curriculum per se that isn't robust in DCPS middle schools, it's the prep and vetting of students. IMO, things look a lot better on paper at Deal than they are in class, particularly English.

Do you know anyone whose kid has availed of the LEAP option in specific subjects at an AZ branch?

My college roommate, whose kids are in one of the Tucson BASIS high schools, tells me that the LEAP system is quite poorly managed there. In theory, kids can advance very quickly in English, science and social studies, but in practice, it's a fight for parents to get them accelerated. This is mainly because the school's timetable, coupled with the restricted availability instructors for students working far above BASIS' version of grade level, are in the way. I hear that very few kids actually take AP tests in 9th grade, let alone 8th. The roommate also mentions that the assessment system for accelerating beyond math isn't remotely straightforward and, hence, easy for a parent to navigate.

Sounds like you're sold on a program you haven't participated in yet, a concept that hasn't necessarily worked well in AZ...The approach sounds grand, but please get back to us a couple years hence with a report on how it worked out.

[Anonymous]

It's entitled "Deal or Basis for DC? Advice needed" -- not "Tell me how Basis is awful and DCPS is wonderful". Of course there have been boosters for both sides on this.

[Anonymous]

Wow. As we just saw with the several deleted posts, clearly there is at least one serious anti-BASIS operative with a vested interest in trashing BASIS in the most vulgar and foul language imaginable. Unbelievable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
And, it boggles the mind that people would be so staunchly opposed to the possibility of the DC area ever getting any kind of accelerated curriculum option. Why must we fight to deliberately keep the bar extremely low and deny students any option of ever having a more robust curriculum? Can anyone out there name any other free public option in the DC area that offers in this kind of accelerated program? I can't.

It's often not the curriculum per se that isn't robust in DCPS middle schools, it's the prep and vetting of students. IMO, things look a lot better on paper at Deal than they are in class, particularly English.

Do you know anyone whose kid has availed of the LEAP option in specific subjects at an AZ branch?

My college roommate, whose kids are in one of the Tucson BASIS high schools, tells me that the LEAP system is quite poorly managed there. In theory, kids can advance very quickly in English, science and social studies, but in practice, it's a fight for parents to get them accelerated. This is mainly because the school's timetable, coupled with the restricted availability instructors for students working far above BASIS' version of grade level, are in the way. I hear that very few kids actually take AP tests in 9th grade, let alone 8th. The roommate also mentions that the assessment system for accelerating beyond math isn't remotely straightforward and, hence, easy for a parent to navigate.

Sounds like you're sold on a program you haven't participated in yet, a concept that hasn't necessarily worked well in AZ...The approach sounds grand, but please get back to us a couple years hence with a report on how it worked out.

How convenient, that a stauch, dyed-in-the-wool anti-DC-Charter operative would "just happen to have" a BASIS Tucson parent as "college roommate". What a coinky-dink, what odds.

[Anonymous]

PP suggests via supposed second hand anecdotal information that the process for accelerating students at BASIS is somehow inscrutable and not straight-forward, and that parents have to fight for it. Our experience at BASIS is the complete opposite. Several 5th and 6th graders at BASIS DC are currently on target to enter the LEAP program, our DC is one of them. The process was straightforward, they administered placement exams. We didn't have to fight for it at all - in fact we were initially hesitant but were encouraged by BASIS staff to try it, and that we would have the option of dropping back to the regular curriculum if it wasn't working out.

PP suggests that it's just success on paper - yet the reality of it is that DC and most of the other accelerated 5th and 6th graders are still making honor roll and 90% club as was seen in the grading period awards and from what we know as parents talking to each other, that success is very much on target - not to mention that the national rankings are based on ACTUAL success numbers from AP courses and numbers passed, and ACTUAL college acceptance numbers, et cetera - not just a function of what's touted on paper, or how many took AP courses (but maybe didn't pass).

[Anonymous]

A quick look at greatschools.org for the Tucson Basis school, shows that there is back and forth about that school as well, some love like/dislike/hate it. One interesting note: a “hate it” poster on that forum sounds like a different type then the hate it dc posters- an ultra-conservative:

“There is also a persistant REJECTION of Americanism, no Pledge of Allegiance ( I am fighting for with Dept of Ed right now) LAW..Az State statutes! Teacher and staff self-expression of multiple facial PIERCINGS and TATTOOS more important than emphasis on Education.I realize we are diverse culture, student body, extremely diverse at lower school..We are, Americans FIRST, patriotism, respect, pride and honor for our country, growth of good character ALSO just as important to teach our young kids, Not teachers roll modeling to sit in her chair, not recite, while 5 brave kids stand up to recite the pledge. I just want to throw up..”

And here is the rebuttal

“The previous post is full of judgments about the way the teachers LOOK (in fact, one of the reasons I love the school - they are teaching that those things DON'T matter). And we all know which teacher you are talking about - one of the most beloved and respected by the students, in fact. Schools are not required to do the Pledge in any state. Also, there is a flag and the Constitution posted on the wall in EVERY single classroom. If that is the most important thing to you, then clearly education is not a priority and BASIS is not for you.

I’d guess that you’ll get strong reactions to the basis model, anywhere you go.

[Anonymous]

Wondering why almost 3 months since the opening of the school, there are still no comments on Greatschools.org from current BASIS DC parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A quick look at greatschools.org for the Tucson Basis school, shows that there is back and forth about that school as well, some love like/dislike/hate it. One interesting note: a “hate it” poster on that forum sounds like a different type then the hate it dc posters- an ultra-conservative:

“There is also a persistant REJECTION of Americanism, no Pledge of Allegiance ( I am fighting for with Dept of Ed right now) LAW..Az State statutes! Teacher and staff self-expression of multiple facial PIERCINGS and TATTOOS more important than emphasis on Education.I realize we are diverse culture, student body, extremely diverse at lower school..We are, Americans FIRST, patriotism, respect, pride and honor for our country, growth of good character ALSO just as important to teach our young kids, Not teachers roll modeling to sit in her chair, not recite, while 5 brave kids stand up to recite the pledge. I just want to throw up..”

And here is the rebuttal

“The previous post is full of judgments about the way the teachers LOOK (in fact, one of the reasons I love the school - they are teaching that those things DON'T matter). And we all know which teacher you are talking about - one of the most beloved and respected by the students, in fact. Schools are not required to do the Pledge in any state. Also, there is a flag and the Constitution posted on the wall in EVERY single classroom. If that is the most important thing to you, then clearly education is not a priority and BASIS is not for you.

I’d guess that you’ll get strong reactions to the basis model, anywhere you go.

LOL. I heard BASIS was run by a bunch of Kenyan born Muslim Socialists. No really, it must be true. I heard it on the Internets somewhere.

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

I won't be surprised if BASIS encounters problems accelerating kids like crazy outside math either, and not for lack of will. It's expensive to run pullout groups and advanced classes with low attendance. It's also very difficult for a school to develop student timetables accomodating of extensive "looping up" (younger kids taking certain classes designed for much older kids).

Basis wouldsurely have selected a roomier building, one with a gym and auditorium, if it had the spare cash to afford the staff to run a bona fide G/T program. What is significant is the franchise's willingness to do far more ability grouping at the MS level than DC public has seen to date. They seem set on a great deal of acceleration even if almost all the kids on the highest tracks (or at least the youngest kids on the regular tracks) are, horrors, white and Asian. Kudos to BASIS for taking this brave step when DCPS schools haven't yet. If that statement makes me a booster, although my kids aren't of middle school age yet, fabulous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I won't be surprised if BASIS encounters problems accelerating kids like crazy outside math either, and not for lack of will. It's expensive to run pullout groups and advanced classes with low attendance. It's also very difficult for a school to develop student timetables accomodating of extensive "looping up" (younger kids taking certain classes designed for much older kids).

Basis wouldsurely have selected a roomier building, one with a gym and auditorium, if it had the spare cash to afford the staff to run a bona fide G/T program. What is significant is the franchise's willingness to do far more ability grouping at the MS level than DC public has seen to date. They seem set on a great deal of acceleration even if almost all the kids on the highest tracks (or at least the youngest kids on the regular tracks) are, horrors, white and Asian. Kudos to BASIS for taking this brave step when DCPS schools haven't yet. If that statement makes me a booster, although my kids aren't of middle school age yet, fabulous.

Basis has been working on and refining that model acceleration and the associated timetables and sequencing since the 1990s. - those programs are shown on the BASIS website - https://www.basisschools.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94&Itemid=111