Basis changes language curriculum; less Latin, no world language until 8th

[Anonymous]

Right, any criticism of BASIS' inflexibility, however minor, thoughtful or valid, constitutes "hating" the school. Give us a break.

I'm with posters who view BASIS' policy on language as being outmoded. There's a strong trend toward teaching foreign languages at younger ages in schools in this country, in all kinds of schools. High-performing school districts all around the country are coming on board in an age of increasing globalization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think the original post said, but this curriculum change is impacting all BASIS schools in Arizona, Louisiana and Washington DC—the change is coming from the network.

The same announcement mentioned changes to the history curriculum, as well.

As is typical, lots of non-BASIS families are hating on the school. We’re at BASIS and quite happy with the change, though it will only impact my rising 7th grader for one year. My oldest BASIS kid will continue taking Spanish.

In the end, its success will come down to whether they can hire a good Linguistics teacher.

Relevance? Who asked you if you were happy with the change?

Success will come down to how BASIS Arizona defines it, not the families of enrolled students or even the leadership of particular schools.

[Anonymous]

+1. Neither DCPS nor most DC charters truly care what parents want, as long ad most families who enroll stick around.

[Anonymous]

Look, I studied Spanish since 5th or 6th grade at Sidwell through high school. I can barely read a menu. I don't know if Basis' plan will mean the same outcomes for students or not, but I don't believe that simply "more" equals better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Right, any criticism of BASIS' inflexibility, however minor, thoughtful or valid, constitutes "hating" the school. Give us a break.

I'm with posters who view BASIS' policy on language as being outmoded. There's a strong trend toward teaching foreign languages at younger ages in schools in this country, in all kinds of schools. High-performing school districts all around the country are coming on board in an age of increasing globalization.

Basis parent here. I think anyone is justified to complain about the school's inflexiblity. I do think, however, that parents who enroll kids there need to know that this is the way it is. If its going to make you insane, pick a different school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look, I studied Spanish since 5th or 6th grade at Sidwell through high school. I can barely read a menu. I don't know if Basis' plan will mean the same outcomes for students or not, but I don't believe that simply "more" equals better.

The trick to language retention is keeping an acquired language current in one's adult life. You lost most of your Sidwell Spanish for 2 reasons. You didn't learn the language young in an immersion environment as a little kid, and didn't use the language consistently later on. You must not have developed a circle of Spanish-dominant pals, colleagues, employees etc. along the way. More usage going forward equals better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right, any criticism of BASIS' inflexibility, however minor, thoughtful or valid, constitutes "hating" the school. Give us a break.

I'm with posters who view BASIS' policy on language as being outmoded. There's a strong trend toward teaching foreign languages at younger ages in schools in this country, in all kinds of schools. High-performing school districts all around the country are coming on board in an age of increasing globalization.

Basis parent here. I think anyone is justified to complain about the school's inflexiblity. I do think, however, that parents who enroll kids there need to know that this is the way it is. If its going to make you insane, pick a different school.

NP. We didn't enroll after BASIS admins informed us that our 5th grader would be forced to start a new language eventually, or to take beginner classes in the world language we speak at home. Neither option appealed, or seemed to belong in the 21st century. I enrolled the kid in a suburban school near where my ex lives. He does well in 6th grade algebra there. BASIS can freely push DC families around because parents EotP are desperate for OK middle schools. That's a longstanding political problem none of us can fix of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right, any criticism of BASIS' inflexibility, however minor, thoughtful or valid, constitutes "hating" the school. Give us a break.

I'm with posters who view BASIS' policy on language as being outmoded. There's a strong trend toward teaching foreign languages at younger ages in schools in this country, in all kinds of schools. High-performing school districts all around the country are coming on board in an age of increasing globalization.

Basis parent here. I think anyone is justified to complain about the school's inflexiblity. I do think, however, that parents who enroll kids there need to know that this is the way it is. If its going to make you insane, pick a different school.

NP. We didn't enroll after BASIS admins informed us that our 5th grader would be forced to start a new language eventually, or to take beginner classes in the world language we speak at home. Neither option appealed, or seemed to belong in the 21st century. I enrolled the kid in a suburban school near where my ex lives. He does well in 6th grade algebra there. BASIS can freely push DC families around because parents EotP are desperate for OK middle schools. That's a longstanding political problem none of us can fix of course.

True, but its also not Basis' fault. I say this as someone who lives in bounds for Deal, and we chose Basis. So perhaps we feel less frustrated about it since we have that option.

Regardless, Basis doesn't discriminate. They are equally inflexible in all their locations. As you can see here, this currciulum change was made system-wide. So thinking that Basis DC could, say, have advanced language classes for middle schoolers who are coming from immersion schools is laughable. And no doubt there are things like this across the country that other communities would like to see changed.

[Anonymous]

Does Deal allow 6th graders to take advanced language classes for the immersion students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Deal allow 6th graders to take advanced language classes for the immersion students?

Yes, for Spanish and a fantastic Mandarin teacher helps advanced students accelerate on their own from 6th grade. Deal is an IB World School where everybody studies a language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right, any criticism of BASIS' inflexibility, however minor, thoughtful or valid, constitutes "hating" the school. Give us a break.

I'm with posters who view BASIS' policy on language as being outmoded. There's a strong trend toward teaching foreign languages at younger ages in schools in this country, in all kinds of schools. High-performing school districts all around the country are coming on board in an age of increasing globalization.

Basis parent here. I think anyone is justified to complain about the school's inflexiblity. I do think, however, that parents who enroll kids there need to know that this is the way it is. If its going to make you insane, pick a different school.

NP. We didn't enroll after BASIS admins informed us that our 5th grader would be forced to start a new language eventually, or to take beginner classes in the world language we speak at home. Neither option appealed, or seemed to belong in the 21st century. I enrolled the kid in a suburban school near where my ex lives. He does well in 6th grade algebra there. BASIS can freely push DC families around because parents EotP are desperate for OK middle schools. That's a longstanding political problem none of us can fix of course.

True, but its also not Basis' fault. I say this as someone who lives in bounds for Deal, and we chose Basis. So perhaps we feel less frustrated about it since we have that option.

Regardless, Basis doesn't discriminate. They are equally inflexible in all their locations. As you can see here, this currciulum change was made system-wide. So thinking that Basis DC could, say, have advanced language classes for middle schoolers who are coming from immersion schools is laughable. And no doubt there are things like this across the country that other communities would like to see changed.

There are 2 epic differences in the way BASIS DC and suburban schools in the DMV offering equally challenging 6th-12th grade STEM (namely test-in programs in Fairfax and MoCo) operate.

The first difference is that suburban parents who don't like the way they're being treated by admins in public schools have recourse up the chain in school systems that are fairly accountable to parents (because large cohorts of UMC ed-minded voters ensure this is the case at the ballot box). The second difference is that the suburbs support large bilingual immigrant communities where ed stakeholders/voters care deeply about advanced language study in public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right, any criticism of BASIS' inflexibility, however minor, thoughtful or valid, constitutes "hating" the school. Give us a break.

I'm with posters who view BASIS' policy on language as being outmoded. There's a strong trend toward teaching foreign languages at younger ages in schools in this country, in all kinds of schools. High-performing school districts all around the country are coming on board in an age of increasing globalization.

Basis parent here. I think anyone is justified to complain about the school's inflexiblity. I do think, however, that parents who enroll kids there need to know that this is the way it is. If its going to make you insane, pick a different school.

NP. We didn't enroll after BASIS admins informed us that our 5th grader would be forced to start a new language eventually, or to take beginner classes in the world language we speak at home. Neither option appealed, or seemed to belong in the 21st century. I enrolled the kid in a suburban school near where my ex lives. He does well in 6th grade algebra there. BASIS can freely push DC families around because parents EotP are desperate for OK middle schools. That's a longstanding political problem none of us can fix of course.

True, but its also not Basis' fault. I say this as someone who lives in bounds for Deal, and we chose Basis. So perhaps we feel less frustrated about it since we have that option.

Regardless, Basis doesn't discriminate. They are equally inflexible in all their locations. As you can see here, this currciulum change was made system-wide. So thinking that Basis DC could, say, have advanced language classes for middle schoolers who are coming from immersion schools is laughable. And no doubt there are things like this across the country that other communities would like to see changed.

There are 2 epic differences in the way BASIS DC and suburban schools in the DMV offering equally challenging 6th-12th grade STEM (namely test-in programs in Fairfax and MoCo) operate.

The first difference is that suburban parents who don't like the way they're being treated by admins in public schools have recourse up the chain in school systems that are fairly accountable to parents (because large cohorts of UMC ed-minded voters ensure this is the case at the ballot box). The second difference is that the suburbs support large bilingual immigrant communities where ed stakeholders/voters care deeply about advanced language study in public schools.

Well, that's the entire point of the charter system though, isn't it? You can choose what you want. So parents who prioritize language can choose immersion/DCI schools. Parents who want montessori or IB schools can choose those. You actually have a lot more control over what you want in DC than in Moco. And if you think Moco is AT ALL responsive to parental demands, I have a nice bridge to sell you ...

The real issue here is that middle class, capitol hill parents don't like their IB middle school options. So they figure they will do Basis and sort things out when they get there. But that is just not a good plan.

And btw, I don't think there are many Basis parents who care about the language program. At least not in my experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right, any criticism of BASIS' inflexibility, however minor, thoughtful or valid, constitutes "hating" the school. Give us a break.

I'm with posters who view BASIS' policy on language as being outmoded. There's a strong trend toward teaching foreign languages at younger ages in schools in this country, in all kinds of schools. High-performing school districts all around the country are coming on board in an age of increasing globalization.

Basis parent here. I think anyone is justified to complain about the school's inflexiblity. I do think, however, that parents who enroll kids there need to know that this is the way it is. If its going to make you insane, pick a different school.

NP. We didn't enroll after BASIS admins informed us that our 5th grader would be forced to start a new language eventually, or to take beginner classes in the world language we speak at home. Neither option appealed, or seemed to belong in the 21st century. I enrolled the kid in a suburban school near where my ex lives. He does well in 6th grade algebra there. BASIS can freely push DC families around because parents EotP are desperate for OK middle schools. That's a longstanding political problem none of us can fix of course.

True, but its also not Basis' fault. I say this as someone who lives in bounds for Deal, and we chose Basis. So perhaps we feel less frustrated about it since we have that option.

Regardless, Basis doesn't discriminate. They are equally inflexible in all their locations. As you can see here, this currciulum change was made system-wide. So thinking that Basis DC could, say, have advanced language classes for middle schoolers who are coming from immersion schools is laughable. And no doubt there are things like this across the country that other communities would like to see changed.

Not exactly. As you may know, BASIS Arizona campuses allow students who can handle the curriculum to start in any program in any grade. New arrivals may be required to repeat a grade at the outset to catch up.

BASIS AZ also offers more in the way of advanced language study than BASIS DC, particularly for Spanish. I know because a college roommate I remain close to sends her children to a BASIS AZ school. Her HS students are studying Spanish lit past AP level in this program. As you can imagine in an AZ location, many of the students in the most advanced Spanish classes are native speakers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Right, any criticism of BASIS' inflexibility, however minor, thoughtful or valid, constitutes "hating" the school. Give us a break.

I'm with posters who view BASIS' policy on language as being outmoded. There's a strong trend toward teaching foreign languages at younger ages in schools in this country, in all kinds of schools. High-performing school districts all around the country are coming on board in an age of increasing globalization.

Basis parent here. I think anyone is justified to complain about the school's inflexiblity. I do think, however, that parents who enroll kids there need to know that this is the way it is. If its going to make you insane, pick a different school.

NP. We didn't enroll after BASIS admins informed us that our 5th grader would be forced to start a new language eventually, or to take beginner classes in the world language we speak at home. Neither option appealed, or seemed to belong in the 21st century. I enrolled the kid in a suburban school near where my ex lives. He does well in 6th grade algebra there. BASIS can freely push DC families around because parents EotP are desperate for OK middle schools. That's a longstanding political problem none of us can fix of course.

True, but its also not Basis' fault. I say this as someone who lives in bounds for Deal, and we chose Basis. So perhaps we feel less frustrated about it since we have that option.

Regardless, Basis doesn't discriminate. They are equally inflexible in all their locations. As you can see here, this currciulum change was made system-wide. So thinking that Basis DC could, say, have advanced language classes for middle schoolers who are coming from immersion schools is laughable. And no doubt there are things like this across the country that other communities would like to see changed.

There are 2 epic differences in the way BASIS DC and suburban schools in the DMV offering equally challenging 6th-12th grade STEM (namely test-in programs in Fairfax and MoCo) operate.

The first difference is that suburban parents who don't like the way they're being treated by admins in public schools have recourse up the chain in school systems that are fairly accountable to parents (because large cohorts of UMC ed-minded voters ensure this is the case at the ballot box). The second difference is that the suburbs support large bilingual immigrant communities where ed stakeholders/voters care deeply about advanced language study in public schools.

Well, that's the entire point of the charter system though, isn't it? You can choose what you want. So parents who prioritize language can choose immersion/DCI schools. Parents who want montessori or IB schools can choose those. You actually have a lot more control over what you want in DC than in Moco. And if you think Moco is AT ALL responsive to parental demands, I have a nice bridge to sell you ...

The real issue here is that middle class, capitol hill parents don't like their IB middle school options. So they figure they will do Basis and sort things out when they get there. But that is just not a good plan.

And btw, I don't think there are many Basis parents who care about the language program. At least not in my experience.

In theory. The problem arises when DC parents can't find a full menu of rigorous MS course offerings at any particular school for an advanced learner. DCI doesn't have a good system for offering advanced math or science, and language courses there are only advanced on paper off the Spanish track. If you're a native speaker of French or Mandarin, speak to DCI HS students in your language and report back. Most of these kids can barely communicate in languages they've supposedly studied at an advanced level for years.

It's nonsense that you have more control over what you want in DC than in MoCo. MoCo does extensive GT testing supported by MD law, offering advanced "compacted" math to 4th and 5th graders county wide, and has four test-in middle school programs, each admitting no more than 10% of applicants. MoCo also offers far more serious partial immersion MS language programs than DCI. And MoCo's top several high schools, on the west side of the county, teach languages at the college level, up to two years past AP in four or five different languages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is hard to find Latin teachers. It might be something as simple as that.

Nope. They had a great candidate that they let go. There are more and better Latin teachers out there - one of the ones at BASIS is abysmal but they can’t fire them because of HR issues.