PARCC results: how will they be communicated to families?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do BASIS students ever leave for academic or social reasons? If so, where do they go?

With all due respect, that is a really dumb question. Of course they do. That's true of every school on earth. If a kid wants a robust arts and theater program then BASIS is a bad fit. If they want to play D1 sports in college it is a bad fit. If they want a large school it is a bad fit.

I was educated in elite prep schools. It was the best education money could buy. And kids left for larger public schools, or better sports programs, or to go to other elite prep schools with larger theater budgets, or because they didn't have the friend groups they wanted/needed.

The point is, when comparing PARCC scores, you have to take into account the fact that BASIS controls the composition of their student body in a way that a traditional neighborhood DCPS school cannot. Some students who leave BASIS for academic reasons go to their DCPS school which takes all comers who are IB, whatever their strengths/weaknesses, whenever they show up. BASIS does not have to do this. They don’t even have to backfill with the next student on their lottery waitlist. Their model depends on DCPS being there to absorb at least some of the kids who leave.

BASIS is a good school and does well by its students. It is a particular model that works well for some and it is a good thing it is available for those students who thrive there. BUT comparing BASIS PARCC scores with schools that do not control who sits in their classrooms to the same degree is not useful.

It was not a stupid question; it was a leading question that you followed.

Your analysis is a bit off. True, Basis doesn’t admit after 5th grade (with some previous minor exceptions for 6th grade). But that doesn’t mean that Basis “controls the composition of their student body.” Sure, some kids leave because they can’t handle Basis. But some leave because the parents move or opt for private. In fact, every year, Basis loses some top students that it doesn’t and can’t replace. Worse, if top kids want to go to Basis after 5th grade, they can’t.

In comparison, other schools admit all comers, either because the kids are in-bounds or they get in through the lottery. Some of these are poor students and some are top students; they go to DCPS schools or other charters, not Basis. If DC allowed Basis to backfill slots with top students admitted through some sort of application/testing process, then you could fairly say that they “control the composition of their student body.” However, DC doesn’t permit that for charters.

Can someone explain this to me? Is this just something that applies to charter middle and high schools? Because you can absolutely lottery into charter elementaries past PK or K, and that's not even very uncommon.

And it doesn't apply to all charter MSs, because for instance ITS takes kids at both 5th and 6th grade.

So DCPS doesn't allow BASIS to backfill... what about Latin? And what is the reasoning.

Elementary school parent here starting to try and figure out middle school so I have no first hand experience. Talk to me like I'm new here!

That's not how it works at all. It's not up to DCPS. BASIS, since it's a charter, is under the jurisdiction of the DC Public Charter School Board. And BASIS *chooses* not to backfill. Why? Oh, because their program is oh so special and nobody could possibly do well if they entered after 5th. Sorry no, it's actually because attritioning out the low performers and not letting anyone in allows BASIS to say it gets good results, when really it's just cherry-picking the kids.

Latin chooses to let in some kids in 9th, not sure why, but that's what they've decided to do.

ITS lets in kids throughout the year, although not after Count Day in early October. They'll tell you it's oh so hard, oh so disruptive, to let in new kids mid-year, as if DCPS and most schools nationwide don't have to do that as a matter of course. ITS has to let in new kids for upper elementary and middle school because their attrition is so high, they'd run out of kids if they didn't.

Before you accuse me of being anti-charter, I will say that I'm a parent at one of the 3 schools I discussed. I just don't believe the excuses they make for avoiding the oh-so-difficult work of incorporating new kids.

No. It is because they don't do social promotion. Kids who can't meet the standard have to repeat the grade. Why would they allow new kids to enter a grade with material they haven't mastered when kids already admitted weren't allowed to promote?

Your snark and self assurance would be easier to take if you had any idea WTF you were talking about.

So can all schools just opt out? "Oh, we don't do social promotion, it's simply a fact of life that we did not choose and cannot alter." Think about it-- what would the school system be like if all schools behaved like BASIS? Get a good lottery number in 5th or you're shut out of good schools for the next 8 years, kids! If you have any academic difficulty you'll be in a developmentally inappropriate setting for the rest of your school years. Oh, and your kid's classes will be full of older kids who aren't doing very well-- parents are really gonna love that.

Sorry but I think BASIS should be a responsible citizen of the school district and take a fair share of the difficult work. Saying they don't socially promote is really just a way to get rid of the difficult kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

[Anonymous]

Yes they are, which is fair to the highest middle school performers under the crappy circumstances.

A number of big US cities, along with our near neighbors in Fairfax and MoCo, offer test-in middle school GT programs for high performers. I attended Boston Latin from 7th-12th grades, after having passed a tough 3-hour entrance exam in the 6th grade. I wasn't prepped for the test - my family was very working class.

The District does not offer any test-in middle school programs or even test-in middle school classes, other than for math at half a dozen schools. With no formal K-8 GT programs, sorry, but DC deserves the BASIS path to suitable challenge for advanced middle school students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

That's a red herring that frequently gets trotted out. And it is BS. First, it is unlikely that a kid would be 5 or 6 grade levels down. If they are there are serious issues that require heavy remediation that a traditional school cannot address is a traditional classroom setting. So if a 16 year old was at 5th grade level then for damn sure I hope we're not just putting kids in the same grade year after year.

Once a kid is 2 grades behind they have needs a traditional classroom cannot address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Why on earth should BASIS families give a hoot what "people think" of their school? A good many of the graduates sail off to Ivy League schools, MIT and other blue chip colleges. These families aren't trying to win a popularity contest in DC. They have other goals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

That's a red herring that frequently gets trotted out. And it is BS. First, it is unlikely that a kid would be 5 or 6 grade levels down. If they are there are serious issues that require heavy remediation that a traditional school cannot address is a traditional classroom setting. So if a 16 year old was at 5th grade level then for damn sure I hope we're not just putting kids in the same grade year after year.

Once a kid is 2 grades behind they have needs a traditional classroom cannot address.

So do tell, what does BASIS offer for such a student? Or is it just byeeeee, someone else's problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Why on earth should BASIS families give a hoot what "people think" of their school? A good many of the graduates sail off to Ivy League schools, MIT and other blue chip colleges. These families aren't trying to win a popularity contest in DC. They have other goals.

Then why do you keep responding here?

PS is BASIS owned by a Chinese hedge fund?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Two things:

1. The test scores aren't "cherry picked". We just have a ton of highly qualified kids who take the test. You seem not to understand what "cherry picked" means.
2. The vast majority of BASIS families don't care what you think. Too busy helping our kids with advanced work to worry about your jealousy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Two things:

1. The test scores aren't "cherry picked". We just have a ton of highly qualified kids who take the test. You seem not to understand what "cherry picked" means.
2. The vast majority of BASIS families don't care what you think. Too busy helping our kids with advanced work to worry about your jealousy.

The cherry picking is in creating a school that's poorly suited to serve any struggling student, and intentionally refusing social promotion because it's a way of getting rid of them. Yes, most of the kids do sit for the PARCC, the cherry picking happens before that.

I'm not at all jealous, my kids are doing great, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Bolded section is beyond ignorant of the educational outcomes in DC. Look at HS PARCC scores and tell me the system is educating those kids. How can you be so ignorant of what is happening outside of your Upper NW front door? My lord.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Bolded section is beyond ignorant of the educational outcomes in DC. Look at HS PARCC scores and tell me the system is educating those kids. How can you be so ignorant of what is happening outside of your Upper NW front door? My lord.

So what do you think happens to the kids who leave BASIS because they are trying to find an age-appropriate setting where their needs are actually met?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Two things:

1. The test scores aren't "cherry picked". We just have a ton of highly qualified kids who take the test. You seem not to understand what "cherry picked" means.
2. The vast majority of BASIS families don't care what you think. Too busy helping our kids with advanced work to worry about your jealousy.

The cherry picking is in creating a school that's poorly suited to serve any struggling student, and intentionally refusing social promotion because it's a way of getting rid of them. Yes, most of the kids do sit for the PARCC, the cherry picking happens before that.

I'm not at all jealous, my kids are doing great, thanks.

That's not "cherry picking" scores. Again, you don't understand what the term means. Everyone there takes the test and the published scores are for all kids. The kids who repeat also take the PARCC test and their scores count ,too.

A world gone mad where you speak about "intentionally refusing social promotion" like that's something to be embarrassed about.

If you are so happy and not at all jealous, why are you more interested and invested in what is happening at BASIS than most BASIS families? The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Bolded section is beyond ignorant of the educational outcomes in DC. Look at HS PARCC scores and tell me the system is educating those kids. How can you be so ignorant of what is happening outside of your Upper NW front door? My lord.

Is it true BASIS is owned by a Chinese hedge fund?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I view ITS’s policy of not adding kids after Count Day much differently than any school that simply does not allow new students after initial grades. I agree both are bad in a public school— and charters ARE publics, even though they sometimes like to pretend they aren’t. But this ITS policy isn’t nearly as egregious to me. I get the rationale (it really can be tough on classrooms to add new students after the kids have finally settled in, as I know well as a DCPS parent). It’s a reality of school, but it’s tough on everyone.

But schools like BASIS or Latin refusing to backfill in subsequent years is really craven. Even private schools take kids mid-MS or mid-HS! A good school would not struggle to incorporate them. It really looks like an obvious grab for higher test scores. It’s gross. The ITS thing is annoying but doesn’t offend me in the same way.

We have been through this before, people. BASIS is unique in DC because it does not do social promotion. Kids don't have to leave, but they will be required to repeat a grade if they do not pass the comprehensive exam. No exceptions. BASIS wanted to accept kids after 5th. They do at other BASIS schools. But DCPCSB won't allow them to administer a test to put the kids in the proper grade level (without regard to age). It would make no sense to have a school that tells kids that are not meeting the standard they have to repeat a grade but let new kids enter into that higher grade even if they can't show mastery of the material.

You can disagree with whether BASIS should socially promote. But that's the argument/policy disagreement. "Backfilling" is a red herring to avoid talking about BASIS's social promotion policy.

Neighborhood schools have to take kids who are below grade. Even those who speak literally no English at all. They have to suck it up and deal with it as best they can. But wah, BASIS couldn't possibly cope without an entrance test. Even though other schools have to.

The idea with backfilling is that we don't want to create a system where if your 5th grade lottery number is bad, you have no hope for getting into a good school. What would the school system be like if every school allowed itself to do what BASIS is doing? Do we want to live like that? BASIS is free-riding on other schools' willingness to handle the tougher kids and do the hardest educational work. But feel free to pat yourself on the back for those great test scores!

Your response is all over the map and internally inconsistent. At one point you ask, what would it be like if every school stopped social promotion and required kids to actual master material before moving to the next grade - PERISH THE THOUGHT and clutching my pearls. You aren't even making the case you think you are. If BASIS was allowed to administer the test and put kids in appropriate grades they'd take backfills and then there would be hope of getting in after 5th - problem solved! Neighborhood schools have to take kids who enroll and are forced by DC policies to put them in their grade level by age, regardless of whet they actually know. And then DC makes it impossible to hold a kid back so they get moved along and graduate with a useless degree.

BASIS has higher standards than all other schools. I'm ok with that .

Because people don't want over-age kids in their classes! Do you want your 5th grader to be with 15 and 16 year olds who aren't doing well? Come on. Think about what you are saying. And because repeating grades doesn't actually solve anything. If the kid was going to learn the material in a regular classroom setting, they would have learned it the first time.

"Higher standards" my foot, they're just running off the kids who are harder to educate.

And because in a system without social promotion kids would simply drop out. They would grow up into uneducated adults. See, this is a school *system*. The goal isn't just to operate one school and pat yourself on the back for great test scores without any caring for the kids who start but don't finish. The idea is to educate the residents of the jurisdiction, thinking of *all of them* including those who drop out. And all schools should be good citizens of the school system and take a fair share of the more difficult educational work. If BASIS's attitude towards its strugging students is basically "f*ck'em", then yes, people are not going to think well of your school despite its cherry-picked test scores.

Two things:

1. The test scores aren't "cherry picked". We just have a ton of highly qualified kids who take the test. You seem not to understand what "cherry picked" means.
2. The vast majority of BASIS families don't care what you think. Too busy helping our kids with advanced work to worry about your jealousy.

The cherry picking is in creating a school that's poorly suited to serve any struggling student, and intentionally refusing social promotion because it's a way of getting rid of them. Yes, most of the kids do sit for the PARCC, the cherry picking happens before that.

I'm not at all jealous, my kids are doing great, thanks.

You are literally arguing that all schools should be shitty. It’s really hard to take you seriously.