BASIS: PCSB staff recommends conditional continuance due to SWD

[Anonymous]

No seeking sympathy, just an education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But bright, hard-working kids deserve an education too. DCPS could easily serve them if they wanted—through tracking—they just find it more politically feasible to solve the achievement gap by bringing down the top.

Anonymous wrote:Lol, kids seeking challenge are not the easiest kind of kids. If they were, they wouldn't not be routinely failed in public education everywhere.

Yes, to both of these. My supposedly "easy to educate" kids were not educated very much when they were in public schools. Mostly, the teachers knew they would pass any tests, and then ignored them or put them on awful computer programs, like Dreambox or ST Math. The plan for bright kids shouldn't be to ignore them and more or less use their per student allotment to fund other children in the room, rather than actually trying to teach the bright kids at their level.

BASIS has been a godsend for my kids.

100 percent this. The fact that we even call the academically inclined well behaved kids “easy to educate” is part of the problem. In fact, they are easy to ignore because their test scores will always be “fine” and “fine” is good enough for most dcps schools outside jklm. Basis is one of the few places that even tries to educate these kids. I wish the public schools did a better job with these students but given today’s realities, I’m glad that basis is an option for some.

this is the sound of the world’s tiniest violin playing for your academically inclined well behaved kids. seriously.

And your opinion and attitude is why DCPS sucks and loses so many educated families who have options. This in turn is a loss for all kids but especially the ones left behind who don’t have options with families who don’t have resources to help the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Why would BASIS parents fight this? If the BASIS model is so great and successful, why would parents be upset that BASIS provide additional supports for SN kids?

Fight what? No one is saying they shouldn't provide more supports or attract more kids with special needs. I think Basis parents are reacting to the idea that a school that has a different approach -- lots of work, no social promotion-- is problematic on its face.

I think the other thing is that all Basis parents know that the school isn't for everyone and doesn't try to be-- special needs or not. I have two kids, neither of them have special needs. Basis was a great fit for one and a terrible fit for the other. We pulled the second kid after 5th. It's a weird school. Because of that I think there is a worry that what posters are saying on this thread is that the Basis model isn't a viable option; that all schools have to suit (not be open to, but suit) all kids equally.

Additionally, (and I am speaking theoretically here) It's hard to imagine that a familiy with kid with academic struggles would knowingly choose the school. If a kid's disabilities, for instance, mean that the accomodations are, say, additional time with assignments and tests, Basis' already heavy workload might be impossible. A kid could have all the support in the world, but if the 2 hours of homework in middle school turns into 4 for your kid every night, why would you choose that?

Well maybe Basis parents need to educate themselves a little on federal disability law. The obligation to provide an education for kids with disabilities is NOT excused on the basis of being a poor "fit." For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for. But Basis is an entire LEA, so it has no other program it can send kids to on the basis of "fit." Basis choses to be a charter and parents chose to attend a charter. That means the charter is an LEA and has to provide an education for all comers. BTW IEP accomodations can include reduced homework.

You keep saying that. No one is saying they don't have an obligation to educate nor is anyone, including the Charter Board, saying that they aren't or shouldn't be doing so.

"For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for" What does this mean?

DP, but if DCPS can provide SN kids with an appropriate education or accommodations at another school, that's what they will do. (How well this happens is another topic.) BASIS and other charters only have one school in their LEA, so they need to accommodate the kids at that school.

So DCPS can deny a kid with SN attend a certain school but Charters can't? Hm.

Ok let me be patient with you. DCPS isn and LEA. Basis its an LEA. DCPS (while observing all IDEA requirement) has multiple possible placements for children with disabilities. However, this does not free DCPS from the obligation of providing sufficient services to children so that they can access the curriculum in general ed. It is a high bar to provide a more restrictive environment or remove a child from their school. Basis as an LEA has no other programs to send kids to. It's just Basis. At some point they can try to do a private placement that OSSE pays for, but they can't do that just because they believe their "niche" makes Basis a "poor fit."

No, charters are able to kick out students. That’s actually an issue admins in dcps bring up, that they get kids from charter in November after the budget has been set. Meaning the charter gets the money for that student’s enrollment rather than the dcps school. I have also received students from charters because the charter could not serve the student’s needs much like how the majority of NW schools get away with that by not having a self contained program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But bright, hard-working kids deserve an education too. DCPS could easily serve them if they wanted—through tracking—they just find it more politically feasible to solve the achievement gap by bringing down the top.

Anonymous wrote:Lol, kids seeking challenge are not the easiest kind of kids. If they were, they wouldn't not be routinely failed in public education everywhere.

Yes, to both of these. My supposedly "easy to educate" kids were not educated very much when they were in public schools. Mostly, the teachers knew they would pass any tests, and then ignored them or put them on awful computer programs, like Dreambox or ST Math. The plan for bright kids shouldn't be to ignore them and more or less use their per student allotment to fund other children in the room, rather than actually trying to teach the bright kids at their level.

BASIS has been a godsend for my kids.

100 percent this. The fact that we even call the academically inclined well behaved kids “easy to educate” is part of the problem. In fact, they are easy to ignore because their test scores will always be “fine” and “fine” is good enough for most dcps schools outside jklm. Basis is one of the few places that even tries to educate these kids. I wish the public schools did a better job with these students but given today’s realities, I’m glad that basis is an option for some.

this is the sound of the world’s tiniest violin playing for your academically inclined well behaved kids. seriously.

And your opinion and attitude is why DCPS sucks and loses so many educated families who have options. This in turn is a loss for all kids but especially the ones left behind who don’t have options with families who don’t have resources to help the school.

yes of course. making sure Basis meets its legal obligations is ruining DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Why would BASIS parents fight this? If the BASIS model is so great and successful, why would parents be upset that BASIS provide additional supports for SN kids?

Fight what? No one is saying they shouldn't provide more supports or attract more kids with special needs. I think Basis parents are reacting to the idea that a school that has a different approach -- lots of work, no social promotion-- is problematic on its face.

I think the other thing is that all Basis parents know that the school isn't for everyone and doesn't try to be-- special needs or not. I have two kids, neither of them have special needs. Basis was a great fit for one and a terrible fit for the other. We pulled the second kid after 5th. It's a weird school. Because of that I think there is a worry that what posters are saying on this thread is that the Basis model isn't a viable option; that all schools have to suit (not be open to, but suit) all kids equally.

Additionally, (and I am speaking theoretically here) It's hard to imagine that a familiy with kid with academic struggles would knowingly choose the school. If a kid's disabilities, for instance, mean that the accomodations are, say, additional time with assignments and tests, Basis' already heavy workload might be impossible. A kid could have all the support in the world, but if the 2 hours of homework in middle school turns into 4 for your kid every night, why would you choose that?

Well maybe Basis parents need to educate themselves a little on federal disability law. The obligation to provide an education for kids with disabilities is NOT excused on the basis of being a poor "fit." For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for. But Basis is an entire LEA, so it has no other program it can send kids to on the basis of "fit." Basis choses to be a charter and parents chose to attend a charter. That means the charter is an LEA and has to provide an education for all comers. BTW IEP accomodations can include reduced homework.

You keep saying that. No one is saying they don't have an obligation to educate nor is anyone, including the Charter Board, saying that they aren't or shouldn't be doing so.

"For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for" What does this mean?

DP, but if DCPS can provide SN kids with an appropriate education or accommodations at another school, that's what they will do. (How well this happens is another topic.) BASIS and other charters only have one school in their LEA, so they need to accommodate the kids at that school.

So DCPS can deny a kid with SN attend a certain school but Charters can't? Hm.

Ok let me be patient with you. DCPS isn and LEA. Basis its an LEA. DCPS (while observing all IDEA requirement) has multiple possible placements for children with disabilities. However, this does not free DCPS from the obligation of providing sufficient services to children so that they can access the curriculum in general ed. It is a high bar to provide a more restrictive environment or remove a child from their school. Basis as an LEA has no other programs to send kids to. It's just Basis. At some point they can try to do a private placement that OSSE pays for, but they can't do that just because they believe their "niche" makes Basis a "poor fit."

No, charters are able to kick out students. That’s actually an issue admins in dcps bring up, that they get kids from charter in November after the budget has been set. Meaning the charter gets the money for that student’s enrollment rather than the dcps school. I have also received students from charters because the charter could not serve the student’s needs much like how the majority of NW schools get away with that by not having a self contained program.

that’s how it probably works in a lot of cases with no IEP. but with an IEP it seems like the next step would be private placement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Why would BASIS parents fight this? If the BASIS model is so great and successful, why would parents be upset that BASIS provide additional supports for SN kids?

Fight what? No one is saying they shouldn't provide more supports or attract more kids with special needs. I think Basis parents are reacting to the idea that a school that has a different approach -- lots of work, no social promotion-- is problematic on its face.

I think the other thing is that all Basis parents know that the school isn't for everyone and doesn't try to be-- special needs or not. I have two kids, neither of them have special needs. Basis was a great fit for one and a terrible fit for the other. We pulled the second kid after 5th. It's a weird school. Because of that I think there is a worry that what posters are saying on this thread is that the Basis model isn't a viable option; that all schools have to suit (not be open to, but suit) all kids equally.

Additionally, (and I am speaking theoretically here) It's hard to imagine that a familiy with kid with academic struggles would knowingly choose the school. If a kid's disabilities, for instance, mean that the accomodations are, say, additional time with assignments and tests, Basis' already heavy workload might be impossible. A kid could have all the support in the world, but if the 2 hours of homework in middle school turns into 4 for your kid every night, why would you choose that?

Well maybe Basis parents need to educate themselves a little on federal disability law. The obligation to provide an education for kids with disabilities is NOT excused on the basis of being a poor "fit." For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for. But Basis is an entire LEA, so it has no other program it can send kids to on the basis of "fit." Basis choses to be a charter and parents chose to attend a charter. That means the charter is an LEA and has to provide an education for all comers. BTW IEP accomodations can include reduced homework.

You keep saying that. No one is saying they don't have an obligation to educate nor is anyone, including the Charter Board, saying that they aren't or shouldn't be doing so.

"For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for" What does this mean?

DP, but if DCPS can provide SN kids with an appropriate education or accommodations at another school, that's what they will do. (How well this happens is another topic.) BASIS and other charters only have one school in their LEA, so they need to accommodate the kids at that school.

So DCPS can deny a kid with SN attend a certain school but Charters can't? Hm.

There's no right to a particular school, but DCPS still has to provide a free and adequate public education in the least restrictive environment. Too all students who want it, including those with disabilities, those who arrive mid-year, and those who drop or are pushed out of charters. Would BASIS like to join in meeting this responsibility? Oh no, it's just not their "niche". What a coincidence that their niche is serving the easiest kind of kids.

I want to clear up a misconception. FAPE doesn't actually apply to all children--only SN. ELLs are also entitled to "appropriate" language education. These are constitutional rights based on the concept of equal protections. The rest of K-12 children don't actually have the same constitutional protections, although they do have civil protections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Why would BASIS parents fight this? If the BASIS model is so great and successful, why would parents be upset that BASIS provide additional supports for SN kids?

Fight what? No one is saying they shouldn't provide more supports or attract more kids with special needs. I think Basis parents are reacting to the idea that a school that has a different approach -- lots of work, no social promotion-- is problematic on its face.

I think the other thing is that all Basis parents know that the school isn't for everyone and doesn't try to be-- special needs or not. I have two kids, neither of them have special needs. Basis was a great fit for one and a terrible fit for the other. We pulled the second kid after 5th. It's a weird school. Because of that I think there is a worry that what posters are saying on this thread is that the Basis model isn't a viable option; that all schools have to suit (not be open to, but suit) all kids equally.

Additionally, (and I am speaking theoretically here) It's hard to imagine that a familiy with kid with academic struggles would knowingly choose the school. If a kid's disabilities, for instance, mean that the accomodations are, say, additional time with assignments and tests, Basis' already heavy workload might be impossible. A kid could have all the support in the world, but if the 2 hours of homework in middle school turns into 4 for your kid every night, why would you choose that?

Well maybe Basis parents need to educate themselves a little on federal disability law. The obligation to provide an education for kids with disabilities is NOT excused on the basis of being a poor "fit." For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for. But Basis is an entire LEA, so it has no other program it can send kids to on the basis of "fit." Basis choses to be a charter and parents chose to attend a charter. That means the charter is an LEA and has to provide an education for all comers. BTW IEP accomodations can include reduced homework.

You keep saying that. No one is saying they don't have an obligation to educate nor is anyone, including the Charter Board, saying that they aren't or shouldn't be doing so.

"For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for" What does this mean?

DP, but if DCPS can provide SN kids with an appropriate education or accommodations at another school, that's what they will do. (How well this happens is another topic.) BASIS and other charters only have one school in their LEA, so they need to accommodate the kids at that school.

So DCPS can deny a kid with SN attend a certain school but Charters can't? Hm.

Ok let me be patient with you. DCPS isn and LEA. Basis its an LEA. DCPS (while observing all IDEA requirement) has multiple possible placements for children with disabilities. However, this does not free DCPS from the obligation of providing sufficient services to children so that they can access the curriculum in general ed. It is a high bar to provide a more restrictive environment or remove a child from their school. Basis as an LEA has no other programs to send kids to. It's just Basis. At some point they can try to do a private placement that OSSE pays for, but they can't do that just because they believe their "niche" makes Basis a "poor fit."

No, charters are able to kick out students. That’s actually an issue admins in dcps bring up, that they get kids from charter in November after the budget has been set. Meaning the charter gets the money for that student’s enrollment rather than the dcps school. I have also received students from charters because the charter could not serve the student’s needs much like how the majority of NW schools get away with that by not having a self contained program.

that’s how it probably works in a lot of cases with no IEP. but with an IEP it seems like the next step would be private placement.

I’m sure that happens, however students from charters can be placed in a DCPS school if the charter doesn’t have the resources, regardless of an IEP. I should note this is when the child needs self-contained.

Private placement is generally never the next step from being primarily in gen ed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Why would BASIS parents fight this? If the BASIS model is so great and successful, why would parents be upset that BASIS provide additional supports for SN kids?

Fight what? No one is saying they shouldn't provide more supports or attract more kids with special needs. I think Basis parents are reacting to the idea that a school that has a different approach -- lots of work, no social promotion-- is problematic on its face.

I think the other thing is that all Basis parents know that the school isn't for everyone and doesn't try to be-- special needs or not. I have two kids, neither of them have special needs. Basis was a great fit for one and a terrible fit for the other. We pulled the second kid after 5th. It's a weird school. Because of that I think there is a worry that what posters are saying on this thread is that the Basis model isn't a viable option; that all schools have to suit (not be open to, but suit) all kids equally.

Additionally, (and I am speaking theoretically here) It's hard to imagine that a familiy with kid with academic struggles would knowingly choose the school. If a kid's disabilities, for instance, mean that the accomodations are, say, additional time with assignments and tests, Basis' already heavy workload might be impossible. A kid could have all the support in the world, but if the 2 hours of homework in middle school turns into 4 for your kid every night, why would you choose that?

Well maybe Basis parents need to educate themselves a little on federal disability law. The obligation to provide an education for kids with disabilities is NOT excused on the basis of being a poor "fit." For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for. But Basis is an entire LEA, so it has no other program it can send kids to on the basis of "fit." Basis choses to be a charter and parents chose to attend a charter. That means the charter is an LEA and has to provide an education for all comers. BTW IEP accomodations can include reduced homework.

You keep saying that. No one is saying they don't have an obligation to educate nor is anyone, including the Charter Board, saying that they aren't or shouldn't be doing so.

"For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for" What does this mean?

DP, but if DCPS can provide SN kids with an appropriate education or accommodations at another school, that's what they will do. (How well this happens is another topic.) BASIS and other charters only have one school in their LEA, so they need to accommodate the kids at that school.

So DCPS can deny a kid with SN attend a certain school but Charters can't? Hm.

There's no right to a particular school, but DCPS still has to provide a free and adequate public education in the least restrictive environment. Too all students who want it, including those with disabilities, those who arrive mid-year, and those who drop or are pushed out of charters. Would BASIS like to join in meeting this responsibility? Oh no, it's just not their "niche". What a coincidence that their niche is serving the easiest kind of kids.

I want to clear up a misconception. FAPE doesn't actually apply to all children--only SN. ELLs are also entitled to "appropriate" language education. These are constitutional rights based on the concept of equal protections. The rest of K-12 children don't actually have the same constitutional protections, although they do have civil protections.

Wikipedia says FAPE is rooted in the 14th amendment, but the actual sources I’ve seen are from IDEA. Can you explain where the 14th amendment reference comes from? Just curious!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Why would BASIS parents fight this? If the BASIS model is so great and successful, why would parents be upset that BASIS provide additional supports for SN kids?

Fight what? No one is saying they shouldn't provide more supports or attract more kids with special needs. I think Basis parents are reacting to the idea that a school that has a different approach -- lots of work, no social promotion-- is problematic on its face.

I think the other thing is that all Basis parents know that the school isn't for everyone and doesn't try to be-- special needs or not. I have two kids, neither of them have special needs. Basis was a great fit for one and a terrible fit for the other. We pulled the second kid after 5th. It's a weird school. Because of that I think there is a worry that what posters are saying on this thread is that the Basis model isn't a viable option; that all schools have to suit (not be open to, but suit) all kids equally.

Additionally, (and I am speaking theoretically here) It's hard to imagine that a familiy with kid with academic struggles would knowingly choose the school. If a kid's disabilities, for instance, mean that the accomodations are, say, additional time with assignments and tests, Basis' already heavy workload might be impossible. A kid could have all the support in the world, but if the 2 hours of homework in middle school turns into 4 for your kid every night, why would you choose that?

Well maybe Basis parents need to educate themselves a little on federal disability law. The obligation to provide an education for kids with disabilities is NOT excused on the basis of being a poor "fit." For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for. But Basis is an entire LEA, so it has no other program it can send kids to on the basis of "fit." Basis choses to be a charter and parents chose to attend a charter. That means the charter is an LEA and has to provide an education for all comers. BTW IEP accomodations can include reduced homework.

You keep saying that. No one is saying they don't have an obligation to educate nor is anyone, including the Charter Board, saying that they aren't or shouldn't be doing so.

"For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for" What does this mean?

DP, but if DCPS can provide SN kids with an appropriate education or accommodations at another school, that's what they will do. (How well this happens is another topic.) BASIS and other charters only have one school in their LEA, so they need to accommodate the kids at that school.

So DCPS can deny a kid with SN attend a certain school but Charters can't? Hm.

Ok let me be patient with you. DCPS isn and LEA. Basis its an LEA. DCPS (while observing all IDEA requirement) has multiple possible placements for children with disabilities. However, this does not free DCPS from the obligation of providing sufficient services to children so that they can access the curriculum in general ed. It is a high bar to provide a more restrictive environment or remove a child from their school. Basis as an LEA has no other programs to send kids to. It's just Basis. At some point they can try to do a private placement that OSSE pays for, but they can't do that just because they believe their "niche" makes Basis a "poor fit."

No, charters are able to kick out students. That’s actually an issue admins in dcps bring up, that they get kids from charter in November after the budget has been set. Meaning the charter gets the money for that student’s enrollment rather than the dcps school. I have also received students from charters because the charter could not serve the student’s needs much like how the majority of NW schools get away with that by not having a self contained program.

that’s how it probably works in a lot of cases with no IEP. but with an IEP it seems like the next step would be private placement.

I’m sure that happens, however students from charters can be placed in a DCPS school if the charter doesn’t have the resources, regardless of an IEP. I should note this is when the child needs self-contained.

Private placement is generally never the next step from being primarily in gen ed.

Source for that? How can an LEA place a child in a different LEA? Not saying it doesn't happen that way functionally, but I can't see how charters can evade their IDEA responsiblities that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Why would BASIS parents fight this? If the BASIS model is so great and successful, why would parents be upset that BASIS provide additional supports for SN kids?

Fight what? No one is saying they shouldn't provide more supports or attract more kids with special needs. I think Basis parents are reacting to the idea that a school that has a different approach -- lots of work, no social promotion-- is problematic on its face.

I think the other thing is that all Basis parents know that the school isn't for everyone and doesn't try to be-- special needs or not. I have two kids, neither of them have special needs. Basis was a great fit for one and a terrible fit for the other. We pulled the second kid after 5th. It's a weird school. Because of that I think there is a worry that what posters are saying on this thread is that the Basis model isn't a viable option; that all schools have to suit (not be open to, but suit) all kids equally.

Additionally, (and I am speaking theoretically here) It's hard to imagine that a familiy with kid with academic struggles would knowingly choose the school. If a kid's disabilities, for instance, mean that the accomodations are, say, additional time with assignments and tests, Basis' already heavy workload might be impossible. A kid could have all the support in the world, but if the 2 hours of homework in middle school turns into 4 for your kid every night, why would you choose that?

Well maybe Basis parents need to educate themselves a little on federal disability law. The obligation to provide an education for kids with disabilities is NOT excused on the basis of being a poor "fit." For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for. But Basis is an entire LEA, so it has no other program it can send kids to on the basis of "fit." Basis choses to be a charter and parents chose to attend a charter. That means the charter is an LEA and has to provide an education for all comers. BTW IEP accomodations can include reduced homework.

You keep saying that. No one is saying they don't have an obligation to educate nor is anyone, including the Charter Board, saying that they aren't or shouldn't be doing so.

"For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for" What does this mean?

DP, but if DCPS can provide SN kids with an appropriate education or accommodations at another school, that's what they will do. (How well this happens is another topic.) BASIS and other charters only have one school in their LEA, so they need to accommodate the kids at that school.

So DCPS can deny a kid with SN attend a certain school but Charters can't? Hm.

There's no right to a particular school, but DCPS still has to provide a free and adequate public education in the least restrictive environment. Too all students who want it, including those with disabilities, those who arrive mid-year, and those who drop or are pushed out of charters. Would BASIS like to join in meeting this responsibility? Oh no, it's just not their "niche". What a coincidence that their niche is serving the easiest kind of kids.

I want to clear up a misconception. FAPE doesn't actually apply to all children--only SN. ELLs are also entitled to "appropriate" language education. These are constitutional rights based on the concept of equal protections. The rest of K-12 children don't actually have the same constitutional protections, although they do have civil protections.

Wikipedia says FAPE is rooted in the 14th amendment, but the actual sources I’ve seen are from IDEA. Can you explain where the 14th amendment reference comes from? Just curious!

Just spitballing here ... public education is a benefit that cannot be withdrawn without due process under the 14th amendment (Goldberg v Kelly). But yeah, the particulars we are all familiar with come from federal law and implementing state law & regulations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Why would BASIS parents fight this? If the BASIS model is so great and successful, why would parents be upset that BASIS provide additional supports for SN kids?

Fight what? No one is saying they shouldn't provide more supports or attract more kids with special needs. I think Basis parents are reacting to the idea that a school that has a different approach -- lots of work, no social promotion-- is problematic on its face.

I think the other thing is that all Basis parents know that the school isn't for everyone and doesn't try to be-- special needs or not. I have two kids, neither of them have special needs. Basis was a great fit for one and a terrible fit for the other. We pulled the second kid after 5th. It's a weird school. Because of that I think there is a worry that what posters are saying on this thread is that the Basis model isn't a viable option; that all schools have to suit (not be open to, but suit) all kids equally.

Additionally, (and I am speaking theoretically here) It's hard to imagine that a familiy with kid with academic struggles would knowingly choose the school. If a kid's disabilities, for instance, mean that the accomodations are, say, additional time with assignments and tests, Basis' already heavy workload might be impossible. A kid could have all the support in the world, but if the 2 hours of homework in middle school turns into 4 for your kid every night, why would you choose that?

Well maybe Basis parents need to educate themselves a little on federal disability law. The obligation to provide an education for kids with disabilities is NOT excused on the basis of being a poor "fit." For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for. But Basis is an entire LEA, so it has no other program it can send kids to on the basis of "fit." Basis choses to be a charter and parents chose to attend a charter. That means the charter is an LEA and has to provide an education for all comers. BTW IEP accomodations can include reduced homework.

You keep saying that. No one is saying they don't have an obligation to educate nor is anyone, including the Charter Board, saying that they aren't or shouldn't be doing so.

"For non-charters, it's clear that schools are not obligated to place children with disabilities in special programs that they don't otherwise qualify for" What does this mean?

DP, but if DCPS can provide SN kids with an appropriate education or accommodations at another school, that's what they will do. (How well this happens is another topic.) BASIS and other charters only have one school in their LEA, so they need to accommodate the kids at that school.

So DCPS can deny a kid with SN attend a certain school but Charters can't? Hm.

Ok let me be patient with you. DCPS isn and LEA. Basis its an LEA. DCPS (while observing all IDEA requirement) has multiple possible placements for children with disabilities. However, this does not free DCPS from the obligation of providing sufficient services to children so that they can access the curriculum in general ed. It is a high bar to provide a more restrictive environment or remove a child from their school. Basis as an LEA has no other programs to send kids to. It's just Basis. At some point they can try to do a private placement that OSSE pays for, but they can't do that just because they believe their "niche" makes Basis a "poor fit."

No, charters are able to kick out students. That’s actually an issue admins in dcps bring up, that they get kids from charter in November after the budget has been set. Meaning the charter gets the money for that student’s enrollment rather than the dcps school. I have also received students from charters because the charter could not serve the student’s needs much like how the majority of NW schools get away with that by not having a self contained program.

that’s how it probably works in a lot of cases with no IEP. but with an IEP it seems like the next step would be private placement.

I’m sure that happens, however students from charters can be placed in a DCPS school if the charter doesn’t have the resources, regardless of an IEP. I should note this is when the child needs self-contained.

Private placement is generally never the next step from being primarily in gen ed.

Source for that? How can an LEA place a child in a different LEA? Not saying it doesn't happen that way functionally, but I can't see how charters can evade their IDEA responsiblities that way.

Answering my own question: DC law says placement can be "DCPS schools, or District of Columbia public charter schools pursuant to an agreement between DCPS and the public charter school."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But bright, hard-working kids deserve an education too. DCPS could easily serve them if they wanted—through tracking—they just find it more politically feasible to solve the achievement gap by bringing down the top.

Anonymous wrote:Lol, kids seeking challenge are not the easiest kind of kids. If they were, they wouldn't not be routinely failed in public education everywhere.

Yes, to both of these. My supposedly "easy to educate" kids were not educated very much when they were in public schools. Mostly, the teachers knew they would pass any tests, and then ignored them or put them on awful computer programs, like Dreambox or ST Math. The plan for bright kids shouldn't be to ignore them and more or less use their per student allotment to fund other children in the room, rather than actually trying to teach the bright kids at their level.

BASIS has been a godsend for my kids.

100 percent this. The fact that we even call the academically inclined well behaved kids “easy to educate” is part of the problem. In fact, they are easy to ignore because their test scores will always be “fine” and “fine” is good enough for most dcps schools outside jklm. Basis is one of the few places that even tries to educate these kids. I wish the public schools did a better job with these students but given today’s realities, I’m glad that basis is an option for some.

this is the sound of the world’s tiniest violin playing for your academically inclined well behaved kids. seriously.

Why do you think these kids don't deserve an appropriate education? They do, and they aren't getting it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But bright, hard-working kids deserve an education too. DCPS could easily serve them if they wanted—through tracking—they just find it more politically feasible to solve the achievement gap by bringing down the top.

Anonymous wrote:Lol, kids seeking challenge are not the easiest kind of kids. If they were, they wouldn't not be routinely failed in public education everywhere.

Yes, to both of these. My supposedly "easy to educate" kids were not educated very much when they were in public schools. Mostly, the teachers knew they would pass any tests, and then ignored them or put them on awful computer programs, like Dreambox or ST Math. The plan for bright kids shouldn't be to ignore them and more or less use their per student allotment to fund other children in the room, rather than actually trying to teach the bright kids at their level.

BASIS has been a godsend for my kids.

100 percent this. The fact that we even call the academically inclined well behaved kids “easy to educate” is part of the problem. In fact, they are easy to ignore because their test scores will always be “fine” and “fine” is good enough for most dcps schools outside jklm. Basis is one of the few places that even tries to educate these kids. I wish the public schools did a better job with these students but given today’s realities, I’m glad that basis is an option for some.

this is the sound of the world’s tiniest violin playing for your academically inclined well behaved kids. seriously.

Why do you think these kids don't deserve an appropriate education? They do, and they aren't getting it.

Their parents anxiety doesn't negate the right of disabled kids to have access to an education. If PP's kids are "easy to educate" then I assume they are doing fine at Basis. This is just some gross dog-in-the-manger behavior by parents who are irrationally convinced that if Basis is required to do its legal duty to disabled kids, their Larlos will be harmed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

It doesn’t fail to provide anything. All the report said is that it should do a better job advertising to SN students and show what supports it provides. That’s it. It can (and will) still claim to be a very rigorous school that demands a lot of its students. Nothing will really change here. BASIS is a lottery school— if level 4 SN parents choose not to lottery in, that’s not the school’s fault.

+1. There's nothing showing that BASIS is not able to support SN kids. It's just showing that BASIS doesn't have as many as other schools. If BASIS can show that it has the supports and advertises them, it's not its fault if kids don't come. Now personally, I wouldn't send my SN kid there, because I know it's not a good fit for my kid. But that doesn't mean it isn't a good fit for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

It doesn’t fail to provide anything. All the report said is that it should do a better job advertising to SN students and show what supports it provides. That’s it. It can (and will) still claim to be a very rigorous school that demands a lot of its students. Nothing will really change here. BASIS is a lottery school— if level 4 SN parents choose not to lottery in, that’s not the school’s fault.

+1. There's nothing showing that BASIS is not able to support SN kids. It's just showing that BASIS doesn't have as many as other schools. If BASIS can show that it has the supports and advertises them, it's not its fault if kids don't come. Now personally, I wouldn't send my SN kid there, because I know it's not a good fit for my kid. But that doesn't mean it isn't a good fit for others.

It also says in the report that BASIS' SN compliance is worse than most other charter schools. And it really perplexes me that a supposedly well-functioning school with not very many kids with SN can't manage to do this as well as other charters in this city.