BASIS: PCSB staff recommends conditional continuance due to SWD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But is it discrimination against other SN to advertise that BASIS could be a very good fit for kids with SN that make them pretty rigid?

If they're advertising in a way that suggests they will only support specific disabilities or profiles, then yes, that would be extremely problematic. You see private schools and camps advertise in that way and it's clearly meant to exclude kids with higher support/perceived higher support needs, as well as, frankly, kids with autism who are "too" autistic.

Remember just because Basis is a charter does not mean they are exempt from supporting kids with SN of all levels. They can't just pick and chose. The Charter Board pointed out that Basis has basically no higher-needs kids.

The SN boosters here are missing the point altogether in their zeal and assumptions.

The point is that Basis would likely make a great fit for any student who does well with structure, clear expectations, focus on individual work, lots of emphasis on organization and concrete curriculums. Many kids with HFA would fit the bill.

Emphasising those strengths and talking about how this kind of learning can benefit some students would be a way to message that out to families with all types of kids, including HFA or others and might encourage kids who otherwise wouldn't think to apply.

"SN Booster"? Really? Forgive me for having "zeal and assumptions" as I attempt to ensure my child with disabilities gets an education.

As much as you want Basis to be exempt from special education laws, it is not. It would be great if Basis established and funded an HFA program and advertised it. That doesn't allow it to screen for certain disabilities and levels of disabilities. Clearly Basis has a serious issue retaining and serving kids with disabilities. Falling back on "oh the few we have do well" does not fix that problem.

Do you feel a school focused on AP test prep would benefit your SN child? If so, apply. I have a non SN child, and because of the above would skip Basis for our family. Different strokes for differenr folks.

Sure, it could benefit him if it had the right supports in place. That's the whole point of special education. My SN kid likes tests. But he also needs social skills support, some support with organization, a behavioral plan ...

So he has something like Aspbergers, executive functioning challenges and needs an IEP? I would imagine most any school in Basis tier can support him well (not solve,.since it's not a problem to be solved, but support). Does this otherwise describe him (from Basis website): "BASIS DC students are hungry for challenge, curious about the world around them, and unafraid of the extra effort required to meet and exceed the high standards of BASIS Curriculum Schools". If so, why not contact the school instead of going off a bunch of heresay?

It's not "hearsay." It's the informed opinion of multiple therapists/medical professionals who talk to a lot of families on the Hill, which is a main source of Basis students. I'll go to the open houses, but the informed opinions plus the Charter Board's actions absolutely give me pause. If Basis responses in a legitimate and transparent way and staffs up their special ed team, maybe. As it stands now, I can't even find the name of the special ed coordinator on their website.

Basis isn’t a good fit for some kids. A kid that isn’t into academics and wants to play big-league varsity football won’t do well at Basis. He can get all the support he wants but it will be a slog for him and his parents

The same is true for SPED kids. As you can see from the comments, some SPED kids do great at Basis. Many of these are HFA or ADHD but there is a variety of disabilities there. Other SPED kids won’t do well. But that is not because they are disabled but because they would do better in a less rigorous school.

Sure, Basis (like other schools) can and should do a better job on SPED issues. But the “violations” laid out in the 10-year report are pretty minor, along the lines of not requiring teachers to do a webinar about how to recognize SPED.

Basis could provide all the services it can to put a SPED kid on par with a non-SPED kid but that doesn’t change the rigor of the Basis curriculum, the amount of work kids have to do and the level of that work, the pre-comps and comps, and the lack of social promotion (i.e., moving kids to the next grade level even though they fail a course). All kids, SPED and non-SPED, would have it easier at another school. IDEA just levels the playing field; it doesn’t transform your kid into something he or she is not.

Given your many posts here about your kid and your negative views about Basis, it might make sense to consider another school. Just something to think about.

As the old expression has it: be careful what you wish for.

Good luck with your choice.

Nailed it! Thank you.

right nailed it … the charter is at risk just due to some mere technicalities. meanwhile you have Basis boosters on this thread openlu saying kids with disabilities should “go elsewhere” and that federal disability law should not apply to Basis. You guys are not doing Basis ANY favors here.

No, the charter is not at risk; if you think that you are in la-la land. No one is saying kids with disabilities should go elsewhere. There are plenty of such kids at Basis and many are going very well. No one is saying that federal disability law shouldn't apply at Basis.

And remember there is a lottery to get into the school, and many do not get in. There is a good chance your kid won't even be admitted, and you can just send your kid to your in-bounds school or another charter.

I really think that you are just a troll. Stop spreading misinformation. I feel sorry for your kid and certainly hope that he/she doesn't go to Basis. With your negative attitude, illogic, exaggerations, combative attitude, and inflammatory rhetoric, you and likely he/she would be miserable there. Stop wasting everyone's time on this forum and send a letter to the school/PCSB with all your complaints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But is it discrimination against other SN to advertise that BASIS could be a very good fit for kids with SN that make them pretty rigid?

If they're advertising in a way that suggests they will only support specific disabilities or profiles, then yes, that would be extremely problematic. You see private schools and camps advertise in that way and it's clearly meant to exclude kids with higher support/perceived higher support needs, as well as, frankly, kids with autism who are "too" autistic.

Remember just because Basis is a charter does not mean they are exempt from supporting kids with SN of all levels. They can't just pick and chose. The Charter Board pointed out that Basis has basically no higher-needs kids.

The SN boosters here are missing the point altogether in their zeal and assumptions.

The point is that Basis would likely make a great fit for any student who does well with structure, clear expectations, focus on individual work, lots of emphasis on organization and concrete curriculums. Many kids with HFA would fit the bill.

Emphasising those strengths and talking about how this kind of learning can benefit some students would be a way to message that out to families with all types of kids, including HFA or others and might encourage kids who otherwise wouldn't think to apply.

"SN Booster"? Really? Forgive me for having "zeal and assumptions" as I attempt to ensure my child with disabilities gets an education.

As much as you want Basis to be exempt from special education laws, it is not. It would be great if Basis established and funded an HFA program and advertised it. That doesn't allow it to screen for certain disabilities and levels of disabilities. Clearly Basis has a serious issue retaining and serving kids with disabilities. Falling back on "oh the few we have do well" does not fix that problem.

Do you feel a school focused on AP test prep would benefit your SN child? If so, apply. I have a non SN child, and because of the above would skip Basis for our family. Different strokes for differenr folks.

Sure, it could benefit him if it had the right supports in place. That's the whole point of special education. My SN kid likes tests. But he also needs social skills support, some support with organization, a behavioral plan ...

So he has something like Aspbergers, executive functioning challenges and needs an IEP? I would imagine most any school in Basis tier can support him well (not solve,.since it's not a problem to be solved, but support). Does this otherwise describe him (from Basis website): "BASIS DC students are hungry for challenge, curious about the world around them, and unafraid of the extra effort required to meet and exceed the high standards of BASIS Curriculum Schools". If so, why not contact the school instead of going off a bunch of heresay?

It's not "hearsay." It's the informed opinion of multiple therapists/medical professionals who talk to a lot of families on the Hill, which is a main source of Basis students. I'll go to the open houses, but the informed opinions plus the Charter Board's actions absolutely give me pause. If Basis responses in a legitimate and transparent way and staffs up their special ed team, maybe. As it stands now, I can't even find the name of the special ed coordinator on their website.

Basis isn’t a good fit for some kids. A kid that isn’t into academics and wants to play big-league varsity football won’t do well at Basis. He can get all the support he wants but it will be a slog for him and his parents

The same is true for SPED kids. As you can see from the comments, some SPED kids do great at Basis. Many of these are HFA or ADHD but there is a variety of disabilities there. Other SPED kids won’t do well. But that is not because they are disabled but because they would do better in a less rigorous school.

Sure, Basis (like other schools) can and should do a better job on SPED issues. But the “violations” laid out in the 10-year report are pretty minor, along the lines of not requiring teachers to do a webinar about how to recognize SPED.

Basis could provide all the services it can to put a SPED kid on par with a non-SPED kid but that doesn’t change the rigor of the Basis curriculum, the amount of work kids have to do and the level of that work, the pre-comps and comps, and the lack of social promotion (i.e., moving kids to the next grade level even though they fail a course). All kids, SPED and non-SPED, would have it easier at another school. IDEA just levels the playing field; it doesn’t transform your kid into something he or she is not.

Given your many posts here about your kid and your negative views about Basis, it might make sense to consider another school. Just something to think about.

As the old expression has it: be careful what you wish for.

Good luck with your choice.

Nailed it! Thank you.

right nailed it … the charter is at risk just due to some mere technicalities. meanwhile you have Basis boosters on this thread openlu saying kids with disabilities should “go elsewhere” and that federal disability law should not apply to Basis. You guys are not doing Basis ANY favors here.

No, the charter is not at risk; if you think that you are in la-la land. No one is saying kids with disabilities should go elsewhere. There are plenty of such kids at Basis and many are going very well. No one is saying that federal disability law shouldn't apply at Basis.

And remember there is a lottery to get into the school, and many do not get in. There is a good chance your kid won't even be admitted, and you can just send your kid to your in-bounds school or another charter.

I really think that you are just a troll. Stop spreading misinformation. I feel sorry for your kid and certainly hope that he/she doesn't go to Basis. With your negative attitude, illogic, exaggerations, combative attitude, and inflammatory rhetoric, you and likely he/she would be miserable there. Stop wasting everyone's time on this forum and send a letter to the school/PCSB with all your complaints.

+1

[Anonymous]

What SN supports does BASIS allegedly fail to provide? From my experience, they provide a lot of organizational/executive functioning support, before and after school time to get help from individual teachers. The general structure of the school is helpful for kids with ASD or ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But is it discrimination against other SN to advertise that BASIS could be a very good fit for kids with SN that make them pretty rigid?

If they're advertising in a way that suggests they will only support specific disabilities or profiles, then yes, that would be extremely problematic. You see private schools and camps advertise in that way and it's clearly meant to exclude kids with higher support/perceived higher support needs, as well as, frankly, kids with autism who are "too" autistic.

Remember just because Basis is a charter does not mean they are exempt from supporting kids with SN of all levels. They can't just pick and chose. The Charter Board pointed out that Basis has basically no higher-needs kids.

The SN boosters here are missing the point altogether in their zeal and assumptions.

The point is that Basis would likely make a great fit for any student who does well with structure, clear expectations, focus on individual work, lots of emphasis on organization and concrete curriculums. Many kids with HFA would fit the bill.

Emphasising those strengths and talking about how this kind of learning can benefit some students would be a way to message that out to families with all types of kids, including HFA or others and might encourage kids who otherwise wouldn't think to apply.

"SN Booster"? Really? Forgive me for having "zeal and assumptions" as I attempt to ensure my child with disabilities gets an education.

As much as you want Basis to be exempt from special education laws, it is not. It would be great if Basis established and funded an HFA program and advertised it. That doesn't allow it to screen for certain disabilities and levels of disabilities. Clearly Basis has a serious issue retaining and serving kids with disabilities. Falling back on "oh the few we have do well" does not fix that problem.

Do you feel a school focused on AP test prep would benefit your SN child? If so, apply. I have a non SN child, and because of the above would skip Basis for our family. Different strokes for differenr folks.

Sure, it could benefit him if it had the right supports in place. That's the whole point of special education. My SN kid likes tests. But he also needs social skills support, some support with organization, a behavioral plan ...

So he has something like Aspbergers, executive functioning challenges and needs an IEP? I would imagine most any school in Basis tier can support him well (not solve,.since it's not a problem to be solved, but support). Does this otherwise describe him (from Basis website): "BASIS DC students are hungry for challenge, curious about the world around them, and unafraid of the extra effort required to meet and exceed the high standards of BASIS Curriculum Schools". If so, why not contact the school instead of going off a bunch of heresay?

It's not "hearsay." It's the informed opinion of multiple therapists/medical professionals who talk to a lot of families on the Hill, which is a main source of Basis students. I'll go to the open houses, but the informed opinions plus the Charter Board's actions absolutely give me pause. If Basis responses in a legitimate and transparent way and staffs up their special ed team, maybe. As it stands now, I can't even find the name of the special ed coordinator on their website.

Basis isn’t a good fit for some kids. A kid that isn’t into academics and wants to play big-league varsity football won’t do well at Basis. He can get all the support he wants but it will be a slog for him and his parents

The same is true for SPED kids. As you can see from the comments, some SPED kids do great at Basis. Many of these are HFA or ADHD but there is a variety of disabilities there. Other SPED kids won’t do well. But that is not because they are disabled but because they would do better in a less rigorous school.

Sure, Basis (like other schools) can and should do a better job on SPED issues. But the “violations” laid out in the 10-year report are pretty minor, along the lines of not requiring teachers to do a webinar about how to recognize SPED.

Basis could provide all the services it can to put a SPED kid on par with a non-SPED kid but that doesn’t change the rigor of the Basis curriculum, the amount of work kids have to do and the level of that work, the pre-comps and comps, and the lack of social promotion (i.e., moving kids to the next grade level even though they fail a course). All kids, SPED and non-SPED, would have it easier at another school. IDEA just levels the playing field; it doesn’t transform your kid into something he or she is not.

Given your many posts here about your kid and your negative views about Basis, it might make sense to consider another school. Just something to think about.

As the old expression has it: be careful what you wish for.

Good luck with your choice.

Nailed it! Thank you.

right nailed it … the charter is at risk just due to some mere technicalities. meanwhile you have Basis boosters on this thread openlu saying kids with disabilities should “go elsewhere” and that federal disability law should not apply to Basis. You guys are not doing Basis ANY favors here.

No, the charter is not at risk; if you think that you are in la-la land. No one is saying kids with disabilities should go elsewhere. There are plenty of such kids at Basis and many are going very well. No one is saying that federal disability law shouldn't apply at Basis.

And remember there is a lottery to get into the school, and many do not get in. There is a good chance your kid won't even be admitted, and you can just send your kid to your in-bounds school or another charter.

I really think that you are just a troll. Stop spreading misinformation. I feel sorry for your kid and certainly hope that he/she doesn't go to Basis. With your negative attitude, illogic, exaggerations, combative attitude, and inflammatory rhetoric, you and likely he/she would be miserable there. Stop wasting everyone's time on this forum and send a letter to the school/PCSB with all your complaints.

The one in la-la land is you if you think that the conditional renewal is just a technicality. And yes, people are saying on this thread that children with IEPs shouldn't go to BASIS, BASIS shouldn't be held accountable for compliance with disability law, etc. etc. This isn't misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not doubting what anyone has to say about the law with respect to SN kids.

But can y’all just leave basis alone? The vast majority of schools in dcps devote a tremendous portion of their resources to the kids who struggle. Those of us with kids who are capable of excelling academically know to keep our mouths shut through all of elementary, knowing that the limited resources must be focused on other kids.

But basis provides an opportunity for academic excellence for those who are not IB for deal. In exchange these families put up with insane homework, crap facilities, mediocre extra-curriculars, and high staff turnover, just to get their kids the academic challenge that dcps would never provide. Can y’all just leave these families alone and take your IEPs elsewhere?

You do realize that my BASIS child with an IEP has consistently been on the distinguished honor roll? Has yours?

sorry you had to read that PP. I’ve been the PP here critical of Basis and I am very happy your kid is thriving. As you know, other parents don’t have a clue. the right focus here is on Basis, which needs to step it up to make sure your son continues to get what he needs and other kids do too.

Wow. You just missed PP’s point, PP.

Wooosh….

PP’s point was quite clear - “take your IEPs elsewhere” in a thread that includes a mom talking about her child with autism’s success at Basis. That’s some of the worst and meanest stuff I’ve seen posted on DCUM ever and I have been here a long time.

No, you both missed the point about how a kid with an IEP is near the top of his/her BASIS class because he/she is (obviously) getting the support he/she needs. The point is that plenty of SPED kids do great at BASIS and, as noted in the 10-year report, they do better at BASIS than other DC charters. Are y'all really so clueless?

And what ELSE did the report say? Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not doubting what anyone has to say about the law with respect to SN kids.

But can y’all just leave basis alone? The vast majority of schools in dcps devote a tremendous portion of their resources to the kids who struggle. Those of us with kids who are capable of excelling academically know to keep our mouths shut through all of elementary, knowing that the limited resources must be focused on other kids.

But basis provides an opportunity for academic excellence for those who are not IB for deal. In exchange these families put up with insane homework, crap facilities, mediocre extra-curriculars, and high staff turnover, just to get their kids the academic challenge that dcps would never provide. Can y’all just leave these families alone and take your IEPs elsewhere?

You do realize that my BASIS child with an IEP has consistently been on the distinguished honor roll? Has yours?

sorry you had to read that PP. I’ve been the PP here critical of Basis and I am very happy your kid is thriving. As you know, other parents don’t have a clue. the right focus here is on Basis, which needs to step it up to make sure your son continues to get what he needs and other kids do too.

Wow. You just missed PP’s point, PP.

Wooosh….

PP’s point was quite clear - “take your IEPs elsewhere” in a thread that includes a mom talking about her child with autism’s success at Basis. That’s some of the worst and meanest stuff I’ve seen posted on DCUM ever and I have been here a long time.

No, you both missed the point about how a kid with an IEP is near the top of his/her BASIS class because he/she is (obviously) getting the support he/she needs. The point is that plenty of SPED kids do great at BASIS and, as noted in the 10-year report, they do better at BASIS than other DC charters. Are y'all really so clueless?

And what ELSE did the report say? Come on.

It concluded that there simply aren't enough SPED kids at the school. That is the sole issue and the only reason for the conditional approval.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not doubting what anyone has to say about the law with respect to SN kids.

But can y’all just leave basis alone? The vast majority of schools in dcps devote a tremendous portion of their resources to the kids who struggle. Those of us with kids who are capable of excelling academically know to keep our mouths shut through all of elementary, knowing that the limited resources must be focused on other kids.

But basis provides an opportunity for academic excellence for those who are not IB for deal. In exchange these families put up with insane homework, crap facilities, mediocre extra-curriculars, and high staff turnover, just to get their kids the academic challenge that dcps would never provide. Can y’all just leave these families alone and take your IEPs elsewhere?

You do realize that my BASIS child with an IEP has consistently been on the distinguished honor roll? Has yours?

sorry you had to read that PP. I’ve been the PP here critical of Basis and I am very happy your kid is thriving. As you know, other parents don’t have a clue. the right focus here is on Basis, which needs to step it up to make sure your son continues to get what he needs and other kids do too.

Wow. You just missed PP’s point, PP.

Wooosh….

PP’s point was quite clear - “take your IEPs elsewhere” in a thread that includes a mom talking about her child with autism’s success at Basis. That’s some of the worst and meanest stuff I’ve seen posted on DCUM ever and I have been here a long time.

No, you both missed the point about how a kid with an IEP is near the top of his/her BASIS class because he/she is (obviously) getting the support he/she needs. The point is that plenty of SPED kids do great at BASIS and, as noted in the 10-year report, they do better at BASIS than other DC charters. Are y'all really so clueless?

And what ELSE did the report say? Come on.

It concluded that there simply aren't enough SPED kids at the school. That is the sole issue and the only reason for the conditional approval.

Don't forget the lack of at-risk kids, and the SPED compliance violations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And what ELSE did the report say? Come on.

It concluded that there simply aren't enough SPED kids at the school. That is the sole issue and the only reason for the conditional approval.

Don't forget the lack of at-risk kids, and the SPED compliance violations.

Nope, that wasn't part of the conclusion.


Pursuant to the School Reform Act (SRA), the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB)
“shall review [a school’s] charter at least once every [five] years.”8 As such, DC PCSB staff
conducted a 10-year review of BASIS DC PCS, evaluating the school’s progress toward
meeting its goals and academic achievement expectations (charter goals). BASIS DC PCS
adopted the Performance Management Framework (PMF) as its charter goals, in
accordance with DC PCSB’s Elect to Adopt the PMF as Charter Goals Policy (PMF as Goals
Policy).9 In doing so, BASIS DC PCS committed to earning at least 50.0% of the possible
PMF points in two of the most recent three years and earning at least 45.0% in four of the
previous five years. As the chart above shows, the school met its charter goals, earning well
above the targeted PMF points throughout the review period.

DC PCSB staff also evaluated the school’s compliance with applicable federal and local
laws, compliance with its charter, and fiscal management. DC PCSB staff determined the
school has not committed a violation of law or a material violation of its charter, has
adhered to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), has not engaged in a pattern
of fiscal mismanagement, and is economically viable.

However, as discussed in Section Two of this report, while BASIS DC PCS has met the
standards for charter continuance, DC PCSB staff is concerned the school is not accessible
to students with disabilities (SWD).

10 The school has persistently low special education
enrollment rates. Throughout the review period, BASIS DC PCS largely only served SWD
who required level 1 or level 2 special education services.11 Moreover, the percentage of
SWD enrolled at BASIS DC PCS ranged between 3.5% and 4.4%.12 These rates have been the
lowest among all DC public charter middle and high schools for the past four years.
Further, BASIS DC PCS’s special education enrollment rates are significantly lower than the
District’s 8.5% benchmark.13 While the school’s special education enrollment rates are
comparatively low, BASIS DC PCS’s SWD outperform their peers across the charter sector
in academic growth and proficiency, as shown in Section One of this report. The school’s
effectiveness in educating students with disabilities provides a compelling case for
increasing special education enrollment rates at BASIS DC PCS.

Based on these findings, DC PCSB staff recommends the Board continue the school’s
charter with the following condition.

By February 15, 2022, BASIS DC PCS shall:
a. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft recruitment and retention plan targeted
toward SWD. At a minimum, the plan must include specific strategies the
school will use to 1) publicize its program to the community as inclusive for all
learners, and 2) target recruitment efforts for families of SWD.
b. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft special education plan in support of an
increased volume of SWD in the school that describes the academic
programming and personnel required to support special education students
across a wide range of needs. At a minimum, the plan must include strategies
to ensure the school's capacity to offer special education across all settings
and needs.
By March 29, 2022, the school shall submit final versions of each plan that
incorporate and address, to DC PCSB’s satisfaction, any feedback DC PCSB provides.
The school must reflect on its progress in implementing the plan and enrolling and
retaining SWD in its annual report every year leading up to its 15-year charter
renewal.
The following report includes a school background section followed by analyses of the
school’s academic performance, charter and legal compliance, and fiscal management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And what ELSE did the report say? Come on.

It concluded that there simply aren't enough SPED kids at the school. That is the sole issue and the only reason for the conditional approval.

Don't forget the lack of at-risk kids, and the SPED compliance violations.

Nope, that wasn't part of the conclusion.


Pursuant to the School Reform Act (SRA), the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB)
“shall review [a school’s] charter at least once every [five] years.”8 As such, DC PCSB staff
conducted a 10-year review of BASIS DC PCS, evaluating the school’s progress toward
meeting its goals and academic achievement expectations (charter goals). BASIS DC PCS
adopted the Performance Management Framework (PMF) as its charter goals, in
accordance with DC PCSB’s Elect to Adopt the PMF as Charter Goals Policy (PMF as Goals
Policy).9 In doing so, BASIS DC PCS committed to earning at least 50.0% of the possible
PMF points in two of the most recent three years and earning at least 45.0% in four of the
previous five years. As the chart above shows, the school met its charter goals, earning well
above the targeted PMF points throughout the review period.

DC PCSB staff also evaluated the school’s compliance with applicable federal and local
laws, compliance with its charter, and fiscal management. DC PCSB staff determined the
school has not committed a violation of law or a material violation of its charter, has
adhered to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), has not engaged in a pattern
of fiscal mismanagement, and is economically viable.

However, as discussed in Section Two of this report, while BASIS DC PCS has met the
standards for charter continuance, DC PCSB staff is concerned the school is not accessible
to students with disabilities (SWD).

10 The school has persistently low special education
enrollment rates. Throughout the review period, BASIS DC PCS largely only served SWD
who required level 1 or level 2 special education services.11 Moreover, the percentage of
SWD enrolled at BASIS DC PCS ranged between 3.5% and 4.4%.12 These rates have been the
lowest among all DC public charter middle and high schools for the past four years.
Further, BASIS DC PCS’s special education enrollment rates are significantly lower than the
District’s 8.5% benchmark.13 While the school’s special education enrollment rates are
comparatively low, BASIS DC PCS’s SWD outperform their peers across the charter sector
in academic growth and proficiency, as shown in Section One of this report. The school’s
effectiveness in educating students with disabilities provides a compelling case for
increasing special education enrollment rates at BASIS DC PCS.

Based on these findings, DC PCSB staff recommends the Board continue the school’s
charter with the following condition.

By February 15, 2022, BASIS DC PCS shall:
a. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft recruitment and retention plan targeted
toward SWD. At a minimum, the plan must include specific strategies the
school will use to 1) publicize its program to the community as inclusive for all
learners, and 2) target recruitment efforts for families of SWD.
b. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft special education plan in support of an
increased volume of SWD in the school that describes the academic
programming and personnel required to support special education students
across a wide range of needs. At a minimum, the plan must include strategies
to ensure the school's capacity to offer special education across all settings
and needs.
By March 29, 2022, the school shall submit final versions of each plan that
incorporate and address, to DC PCSB’s satisfaction, any feedback DC PCSB provides.
The school must reflect on its progress in implementing the plan and enrolling and
retaining SWD in its annual report every year leading up to its 15-year charter
renewal.
The following report includes a school background section followed by analyses of the
school’s academic performance, charter and legal compliance, and fiscal management.

It's true, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And what ELSE did the report say? Come on.

It concluded that there simply aren't enough SPED kids at the school. That is the sole issue and the only reason for the conditional approval.

Don't forget the lack of at-risk kids, and the SPED compliance violations.

Nope, that wasn't part of the conclusion.


Pursuant to the School Reform Act (SRA), the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB)
“shall review [a school’s] charter at least once every [five] years.”8 As such, DC PCSB staff
conducted a 10-year review of BASIS DC PCS, evaluating the school’s progress toward
meeting its goals and academic achievement expectations (charter goals). BASIS DC PCS
adopted the Performance Management Framework (PMF) as its charter goals, in
accordance with DC PCSB’s Elect to Adopt the PMF as Charter Goals Policy (PMF as Goals
Policy).9 In doing so, BASIS DC PCS committed to earning at least 50.0% of the possible
PMF points in two of the most recent three years and earning at least 45.0% in four of the
previous five years. As the chart above shows, the school met its charter goals, earning well
above the targeted PMF points throughout the review period.

DC PCSB staff also evaluated the school’s compliance with applicable federal and local
laws, compliance with its charter, and fiscal management. DC PCSB staff determined the
school has not committed a violation of law or a material violation of its charter, has
adhered to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), has not engaged in a pattern
of fiscal mismanagement, and is economically viable.

However, as discussed in Section Two of this report, while BASIS DC PCS has met the
standards for charter continuance, DC PCSB staff is concerned the school is not accessible
to students with disabilities (SWD).

10 The school has persistently low special education
enrollment rates. Throughout the review period, BASIS DC PCS largely only served SWD
who required level 1 or level 2 special education services.11 Moreover, the percentage of
SWD enrolled at BASIS DC PCS ranged between 3.5% and 4.4%.12 These rates have been the
lowest among all DC public charter middle and high schools for the past four years.
Further, BASIS DC PCS’s special education enrollment rates are significantly lower than the
District’s 8.5% benchmark.13 While the school’s special education enrollment rates are
comparatively low, BASIS DC PCS’s SWD outperform their peers across the charter sector
in academic growth and proficiency, as shown in Section One of this report. The school’s
effectiveness in educating students with disabilities provides a compelling case for
increasing special education enrollment rates at BASIS DC PCS.

Based on these findings, DC PCSB staff recommends the Board continue the school’s
charter with the following condition.

By February 15, 2022, BASIS DC PCS shall:
a. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft recruitment and retention plan targeted
toward SWD. At a minimum, the plan must include specific strategies the
school will use to 1) publicize its program to the community as inclusive for all
learners, and 2) target recruitment efforts for families of SWD.
b. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft special education plan in support of an
increased volume of SWD in the school that describes the academic
programming and personnel required to support special education students
across a wide range of needs. At a minimum, the plan must include strategies
to ensure the school's capacity to offer special education across all settings
and needs.
By March 29, 2022, the school shall submit final versions of each plan that
incorporate and address, to DC PCSB’s satisfaction, any feedback DC PCSB provides.
The school must reflect on its progress in implementing the plan and enrolling and
retaining SWD in its annual report every year leading up to its 15-year charter
renewal.
The following report includes a school background section followed by analyses of the
school’s academic performance, charter and legal compliance, and fiscal management.

It's true, though.

If so, you'll need to find something else to back it up. This report concludes the outstanding issue is SPED enrollment numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And what ELSE did the report say? Come on.

It concluded that there simply aren't enough SPED kids at the school. That is the sole issue and the only reason for the conditional approval.

Don't forget the lack of at-risk kids, and the SPED compliance violations.

Nope, that wasn't part of the conclusion.


Pursuant to the School Reform Act (SRA), the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB)
“shall review [a school’s] charter at least once every [five] years.”8 As such, DC PCSB staff
conducted a 10-year review of BASIS DC PCS, evaluating the school’s progress toward
meeting its goals and academic achievement expectations (charter goals). BASIS DC PCS
adopted the Performance Management Framework (PMF) as its charter goals, in
accordance with DC PCSB’s Elect to Adopt the PMF as Charter Goals Policy (PMF as Goals
Policy).9 In doing so, BASIS DC PCS committed to earning at least 50.0% of the possible
PMF points in two of the most recent three years and earning at least 45.0% in four of the
previous five years. As the chart above shows, the school met its charter goals, earning well
above the targeted PMF points throughout the review period.

DC PCSB staff also evaluated the school’s compliance with applicable federal and local
laws, compliance with its charter, and fiscal management. DC PCSB staff determined the
school has not committed a violation of law or a material violation of its charter, has
adhered to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), has not engaged in a pattern
of fiscal mismanagement, and is economically viable.

However, as discussed in Section Two of this report, while BASIS DC PCS has met the
standards for charter continuance, DC PCSB staff is concerned the school is not accessible
to students with disabilities (SWD).

10 The school has persistently low special education
enrollment rates. Throughout the review period, BASIS DC PCS largely only served SWD
who required level 1 or level 2 special education services.11 Moreover, the percentage of
SWD enrolled at BASIS DC PCS ranged between 3.5% and 4.4%.12 These rates have been the
lowest among all DC public charter middle and high schools for the past four years.
Further, BASIS DC PCS’s special education enrollment rates are significantly lower than the
District’s 8.5% benchmark.13 While the school’s special education enrollment rates are
comparatively low, BASIS DC PCS’s SWD outperform their peers across the charter sector
in academic growth and proficiency, as shown in Section One of this report. The school’s
effectiveness in educating students with disabilities provides a compelling case for
increasing special education enrollment rates at BASIS DC PCS.

Based on these findings, DC PCSB staff recommends the Board continue the school’s
charter with the following condition.

By February 15, 2022, BASIS DC PCS shall:
a. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft recruitment and retention plan targeted
toward SWD. At a minimum, the plan must include specific strategies the
school will use to 1) publicize its program to the community as inclusive for all
learners, and 2) target recruitment efforts for families of SWD.
b. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft special education plan in support of an
increased volume of SWD in the school that describes the academic
programming and personnel required to support special education students
across a wide range of needs. At a minimum, the plan must include strategies
to ensure the school's capacity to offer special education across all settings
and needs.
By March 29, 2022, the school shall submit final versions of each plan that
incorporate and address, to DC PCSB’s satisfaction, any feedback DC PCSB provides.
The school must reflect on its progress in implementing the plan and enrolling and
retaining SWD in its annual report every year leading up to its 15-year charter
renewal.
The following report includes a school background section followed by analyses of the
school’s academic performance, charter and legal compliance, and fiscal management.

It's true, though.

If so, you'll need to find something else to back it up. This report concludes the outstanding issue is SPED enrollment numbers.

Yes, it's not (yet) a problem for charter review that BASIS serves so few at-risk kids or has poor compliance. But it's still true. And if the PCSB goes forward with their revision of the PMF and other renewal criteria, it may be a problem for BASIS in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And what ELSE did the report say? Come on.

It concluded that there simply aren't enough SPED kids at the school. That is the sole issue and the only reason for the conditional approval.

Don't forget the lack of at-risk kids, and the SPED compliance violations.

Nope, that wasn't part of the conclusion.


Pursuant to the School Reform Act (SRA), the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB)
“shall review [a school’s] charter at least once every [five] years.”8 As such, DC PCSB staff
conducted a 10-year review of BASIS DC PCS, evaluating the school’s progress toward
meeting its goals and academic achievement expectations (charter goals). BASIS DC PCS
adopted the Performance Management Framework (PMF) as its charter goals, in
accordance with DC PCSB’s Elect to Adopt the PMF as Charter Goals Policy (PMF as Goals
Policy).9 In doing so, BASIS DC PCS committed to earning at least 50.0% of the possible
PMF points in two of the most recent three years and earning at least 45.0% in four of the
previous five years. As the chart above shows, the school met its charter goals, earning well
above the targeted PMF points throughout the review period.

DC PCSB staff also evaluated the school’s compliance with applicable federal and local
laws, compliance with its charter, and fiscal management. DC PCSB staff determined the
school has not committed a violation of law or a material violation of its charter, has
adhered to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), has not engaged in a pattern
of fiscal mismanagement, and is economically viable.

However, as discussed in Section Two of this report, while BASIS DC PCS has met the
standards for charter continuance, DC PCSB staff is concerned the school is not accessible
to students with disabilities (SWD).

10 The school has persistently low special education
enrollment rates. Throughout the review period, BASIS DC PCS largely only served SWD
who required level 1 or level 2 special education services.11 Moreover, the percentage of
SWD enrolled at BASIS DC PCS ranged between 3.5% and 4.4%.12 These rates have been the
lowest among all DC public charter middle and high schools for the past four years.
Further, BASIS DC PCS’s special education enrollment rates are significantly lower than the
District’s 8.5% benchmark.13 While the school’s special education enrollment rates are
comparatively low, BASIS DC PCS’s SWD outperform their peers across the charter sector
in academic growth and proficiency, as shown in Section One of this report. The school’s
effectiveness in educating students with disabilities provides a compelling case for
increasing special education enrollment rates at BASIS DC PCS.

Based on these findings, DC PCSB staff recommends the Board continue the school’s
charter with the following condition.

By February 15, 2022, BASIS DC PCS shall:
a. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft recruitment and retention plan targeted
toward SWD. At a minimum, the plan must include specific strategies the
school will use to 1) publicize its program to the community as inclusive for all
learners, and 2) target recruitment efforts for families of SWD.
b. Submit for DC PCSB’s review a draft special education plan in support of an
increased volume of SWD in the school that describes the academic
programming and personnel required to support special education students
across a wide range of needs. At a minimum, the plan must include strategies
to ensure the school's capacity to offer special education across all settings
and needs.
By March 29, 2022, the school shall submit final versions of each plan that
incorporate and address, to DC PCSB’s satisfaction, any feedback DC PCSB provides.
The school must reflect on its progress in implementing the plan and enrolling and
retaining SWD in its annual report every year leading up to its 15-year charter
renewal.
The following report includes a school background section followed by analyses of the
school’s academic performance, charter and legal compliance, and fiscal management.

It's true, though.

If so, you'll need to find something else to back it up. This report concludes the outstanding issue is SPED enrollment numbers.

Yes, it's not (yet) a problem for charter review that BASIS serves so few at-risk kids or has poor compliance. But it's still true. And if the PCSB goes forward with their revision of the PMF and other renewal criteria, it may be a problem for BASIS in the future.

Ok.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a dog in this fight but just laughing at these anti-Basis comments.

Look at the facts.

The last 10-year report for Washington Latin, the nearest competitor to Basis shows these numbers for disabled kids in grades 5-8.

Reading MGP: 33.9
Math MPG: 43.6

The 10-year report for Basis shows these numbers for disabled kids in grades 5-8:

Reading MGP: 55.3
Math MGP: 55.3

Note this is ONLY for kids with disabilities.

Who is doing a better job? If you have a smart disabled kid, where you want your kid to go?

Lots of unsupported opinions here by people who don't have kids at Basis and haven't done their research. Look at the data and talk to parents at Basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a dog in this fight but just laughing at these anti-Basis comments.

Look at the facts.

The last 10-year report for Washington Latin, the nearest competitor to Basis shows these numbers for disabled kids in grades 5-8.

Reading MGP: 33.9
Math MPG: 43.6

The 10-year report for Basis shows these numbers for disabled kids in grades 5-8:

Reading MGP: 55.3
Math MGP: 55.3

Note this is ONLY for kids with disabilities.

Who is doing a better job? If you have a smart disabled kid, where you want your kid to go?

Lots of unsupported opinions here by people who don't have kids at Basis and haven't done their research. Look at the data and talk to parents at Basis.

Both schools are serving such a tiny SN population that the statistics aren't very meaningful. And both schools are serving almost nobody with a Level 2, 3, or 4 IEP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a dog in this fight but just laughing at these anti-Basis comments.

Look at the facts.

The last 10-year report for Washington Latin, the nearest competitor to Basis shows these numbers for disabled kids in grades 5-8.

Reading MGP: 33.9
Math MPG: 43.6

The 10-year report for Basis shows these numbers for disabled kids in grades 5-8:

Reading MGP: 55.3
Math MGP: 55.3

Note this is ONLY for kids with disabilities.


Who is doing a better job? If you have a smart disabled kid, where you want your kid to go?

Lots of unsupported opinions here by people who don't have kids at Basis and haven't done their research. Look at the data and talk to parents at Basis.

People will say, that's because they only have kids with very mild disabilities. You have to have the "right kind" of disabilities I guess.