BASIS DCPCSB to open two PK3-5 campuses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree re 3224 16th Street - BUT there's a snag at Walter Reed right now so DCI may or may not be vacating for another year. DCI is trying to break through the log jam but are at the mercy of the Army.

909 E Street would have 0 space for playground / outdoor PE. It's a block further from the national mall. Awful idea. 375 E Street SW seems almost as bad.

6200 2nd Street is an actual school building and is walkable to Takoma metro. Edgewood NE is not far from RI Ave Metro.

Ward 3 seems a non starter.

Who are you? How do you know everything about all these sites right away? It's creeping me out. And I mean that in a good way. How do you know so much?

I'm not creepy; I lead a boring life and have mad google skillz.

But really, everyone knows the DCI bulding - it's been home to many charters going back 10+ years. I live in Brightwood/Takoma and walk past the 2nd Street bldg with my dog. I used to contract in FBI bldg across street from Weschler's and went in to watch auctions a couple days a week. My company tried to buy that space 2 years ago.

The rest I googled.

I have "mad Google skillz" too. My dream job would be googling info like this all day. Coworkers and friends always ask me how I found my info? Is there any job out there that I could google all day?

[Anonymous]

I actually have a friend in Scottsdale whose DD attends BASIS primary there, via charter lottery.

The admin will unapologetically tell you that the model is teach for the test and drill, beginning the first week of kindergarten. Her 5 year old is tested every week (with actual tests and not friendly observational assessments).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually have a friend in Scottsdale whose DD attends BASIS primary there, via charter lottery.

The admin will unapologetically tell you that the model is teach for the test and drill, beginning the first week of kindergarten. Her 5 year old is tested every week (with actual tests and not friendly observational assessments).

http://www.dcpcsb.org/sites/default/files/report/2016-09-02%20BASIS%20DC%20ES%20Amendment%20Application%20REDACTED.compressed.pdf

I read the parts of the application about curriculum and student placement and retention. The application does describe "high-stakes testing" for grades K-4. And this part made me smile: all K-4 children attend a week-long camp in which they "learn note-taking strategies and share ideas for time management..." after which they presumably head to the bar for a lunchtime martini before returning for an afternoon of delightful powerpoint presentations on...more high-stakes testing and time management strategies!

The part about 40% of DC kids likely being "at risk of not being BASIS Primary's expectations" is eye-opening. The application makes clear that such children will be placed in the grade appropriate for their academic level, regardless of age. Students (ages 5-9) who don't meet expectations during the year must follow these procedures:


"To be promoted to the next grade level in K–4, a student must earn a minimum cumulative average of
60% in each of the core courses (excluding the Arts, Mandarin, PE, All-Connections, Engineering, and
READ), and/or Grade P (Pass) in all courses or projects taken during the year.
Students who fail to meet this cumulative 60% requirement do not qualify for promotion status. To
remedy their promotion status, these students’ families must request formally, in writing, permission to
obtain conditional promotion status. The request must be submitted within two calendar weeks of the
receipt of the student’s Final Grade Report. Students who file a request before the deadline will be
awarded conditional promotion status and will receive an invitation to meet with the Director of Student
Affairs to discuss the conditions required before promotional status can be granted.
Students must then agree to complete work over the summer recess, which could take any of the
following forms: course packets compiled by teachers, projects overseen by teachers or administrators,
re-takes of important exams, etc. To advance from conditional promotion status to promotion status, the
student must satisfy all Special Summer Project assignment requirements.
Students who fail to earn promotion status, fail to obtain conditional promotion status, or fail to advance
from conditional promotion status to promotion status, are retained in the grade. They will be enrolled
in the same grade again for the next school year."


I'd suggest that anyone who is seriously interested in this school take the time to read the application.

[Anonymous]

From what I hear about the rigor of basis in middle school I would be reluctant to put a preschooler in that mix. I can't imagine it will be play based for the little kids. My kid would hate that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually have a friend in Scottsdale whose DD attends BASIS primary there, via charter lottery.

The admin will unapologetically tell you that the model is teach for the test and drill, beginning the first week of kindergarten. Her 5 year old is tested every week (with actual tests and not friendly observational assessments).

http://www.dcpcsb.org/sites/default/files/report/2016-09-02%20BASIS%20DC%20ES%20Amendment%20Application%20REDACTED.compressed.pdf

I read the parts of the application about curriculum and student placement and retention. The application does describe "high-stakes testing" for grades K-4. And this part made me smile: all K-4 children attend a week-long camp in which they "learn note-taking strategies and share ideas for time management..." after which they presumably head to the bar for a lunchtime martini before returning for an afternoon of delightful powerpoint presentations on...more high-stakes testing and time management strategies!

The part about 40% of DC kids likely being "at risk of not being BASIS Primary's expectations" is eye-opening. The application makes clear that such children will be placed in the grade appropriate for their academic level, regardless of age. Students (ages 5-9) who don't meet expectations during the year must follow these procedures:


"To be promoted to the next grade level in K–4, a student must earn a minimum cumulative average of
60% in each of the core courses (excluding the Arts, Mandarin, PE, All-Connections, Engineering, and
READ), and/or Grade P (Pass) in all courses or projects taken during the year.
Students who fail to meet this cumulative 60% requirement do not qualify for promotion status. To
remedy their promotion status, these students’ families must request formally, in writing, permission to
obtain conditional promotion status. The request must be submitted within two calendar weeks of the
receipt of the student’s Final Grade Report. Students who file a request before the deadline will be
awarded conditional promotion status and will receive an invitation to meet with the Director of Student
Affairs to discuss the conditions required before promotional status can be granted.
Students must then agree to complete work over the summer recess, which could take any of the
following forms: course packets compiled by teachers, projects overseen by teachers or administrators,
re-takes of important exams, etc. To advance from conditional promotion status to promotion status, the
student must satisfy all Special Summer Project assignment requirements.
Students who fail to earn promotion status, fail to obtain conditional promotion status, or fail to advance
from conditional promotion status to promotion status, are retained in the grade. They will be enrolled
in the same grade again for the next school year."


I'd suggest that anyone who is seriously interested in this school take the time to read the application.

Everything about this sounds absolutely miserable for a kid that age. Note taking strategies for 6 year olds. jesus people. In my perfect charter world we would have elem schools based on the scandinvian/german "forest school" model--not engineering for 7 year olds.

[Anonymous]

They should take over the Fannie Mae building or Intel Sat and make it a campus!

[Anonymous]

How is BASIS different from DC Prep?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I agree re 3224 16th Street - BUT there's a snag at Walter Reed right now so DCI may or may not be vacating for another year. DCI is trying to break through the log jam but are at the mercy of the Army.

909 E Street would have 0 space for playground / outdoor PE. It's a block further from the national mall. Awful idea. 375 E Street SW seems almost as bad.

6200 2nd Street is an actual school building and is walkable to Takoma metro. Edgewood NE is not far from RI Ave Metro.

Ward 3 seems a non starter.

Who are you? How do you know everything about all these sites right away? It's creeping me out. And I mean that in a good way. How do you know so much?

I'm not creepy; I lead a boring life and have mad google skillz.

But really, everyone knows the DCI bulding - it's been home to many charters going back 10+ years. I live in Brightwood/Takoma and walk past the 2nd Street bldg with my dog. I used to contract in FBI bldg across street from Weschler's and went in to watch auctions a couple days a week. My company tried to buy that space 2 years ago.

The rest I googled.

I have "mad Google skillz" too. My dream job would be googling info like this all day. Coworkers and friends always ask me how I found my info? Is there any job out there that I could google all day?

Same here. If you hear of anything, please post on Jobs & Careers post and I'll join you at LMGTFY Inc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is BASIS different from DC Prep?

DC Prep wouldn't have different subject teachers for grades 1-4 (math/language/chinese/social studies) and they don't have the same explicit promotion status policy posted above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is BASIS different from DC Prep?

Exactly or KIPP. It's one thing to turn up the heat on middle schoolers, but Kindergarteners? Really? This model will probably backfire on a number of kids by sucking the fun out of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually have a friend in Scottsdale whose DD attends BASIS primary there, via charter lottery.

The admin will unapologetically tell you that the model is teach for the test and drill, beginning the first week of kindergarten. Her 5 year old is tested every week (with actual tests and not friendly observational assessments).

http://www.dcpcsb.org/sites/default/files/report/2016-09-02%20BASIS%20DC%20ES%20Amendment%20Application%20REDACTED.compressed.pdf

I read the parts of the application about curriculum and student placement and retention. The application does describe "high-stakes testing" for grades K-4. And this part made me smile: all K-4 children attend a week-long camp in which they "learn note-taking strategies and share ideas for time management..." after which they presumably head to the bar for a lunchtime martini before returning for an afternoon of delightful powerpoint presentations on...more high-stakes testing and time management strategies!

The part about 40% of DC kids likely being "at risk of not being BASIS Primary's expectations" is eye-opening. The application makes clear that such children will be placed in the grade appropriate for their academic level, regardless of age. Students (ages 5-9) who don't meet expectations during the year must follow these procedures:


"To be promoted to the next grade level in K–4, a student must earn a minimum cumulative average of
60% in each of the core courses (excluding the Arts, Mandarin, PE, All-Connections, Engineering, and
READ), and/or Grade P (Pass) in all courses or projects taken during the year.
Students who fail to meet this cumulative 60% requirement do not qualify for promotion status. To
remedy their promotion status, these students’ families must request formally, in writing, permission to
obtain conditional promotion status. The request must be submitted within two calendar weeks of the
receipt of the student’s Final Grade Report. Students who file a request before the deadline will be
awarded conditional promotion status and will receive an invitation to meet with the Director of Student
Affairs to discuss the conditions required before promotional status can be granted.
Students must then agree to complete work over the summer recess, which could take any of the
following forms: course packets compiled by teachers, projects overseen by teachers or administrators,
re-takes of important exams, etc. To advance from conditional promotion status to promotion status, the
student must satisfy all Special Summer Project assignment requirements.
Students who fail to earn promotion status, fail to obtain conditional promotion status, or fail to advance
from conditional promotion status to promotion status, are retained in the grade. They will be enrolled
in the same grade again for the next school year."


I'd suggest that anyone who is seriously interested in this school take the time to read the application.

This is pretty much the exact same way the middle and high school works. Except rather than Ps students in 5 or above get letter grades.

In practice middle school isn't as joyless as it sounds when written down. But I don't think that it's a great model for K-4.

[Anonymous]

After a day of high-stakes testing, discussion of time-management skills, and silent after-school study hall, your 6-year-old will be a barrel of laughs at home, at least for the hour she has before she starts her homework! Talk about dystopia.

[Anonymous]

By having so many kids held back, it would create a lot of kids who by 9th grade, are considered "at risk" since one of the at-risk categories is being a high school student who is a year or more behind in credits for age.

That creates a whole bunch more kids who are eligible for the at-risk preference for Wilson and other high schools, should that be implemented. It will be interesting to see how that all plays out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is BASIS different from DC Prep?

Exactly or KIPP. It's one thing to turn up the heat on middle schoolers, but Kindergarteners? Really? This model will probably backfire on a number of kids by sucking the fun out of school.

Doesn't BASIS already have this model in Arizona? How is it working there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is BASIS different from DC Prep?

Exactly or KIPP. It's one thing to turn up the heat on middle schoolers, but Kindergarteners? Really? This model will probably backfire on a number of kids by sucking the fun out of school.

Doesn't BASIS already have this model in Arizona? How is it working there?

Schools are fully subscribed and their test scores seem pretty strong. But they've only been in the K-4 game for about 3 years.