BASIS attrition after middle school- why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re painting with too broad a brush. It’s far from ideal for kids/teens to spend at least 40 hrs a week on a cramped, dreary campus with little natural light and no greenery. Come on, the cafeteria has black walls and no windows. But it’s true that some tolerate the arrangement far better than others. That’s the story with BASIS DC in the big picture.

That's why the best situation is when all those who don't like the school leave.

I don’t agree. When it’s the BASIS way or the highway in every case, kids suffer. It’s good when clued-in parents with some chutzpah stick around to push back against seriously unreasonable or sloppy management decisions, policies and practices. The routine hiring of MS teachers with no real content background or teaching experience is one. Recent parental pressure has been efffecting welcome change in that area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re painting with too broad a brush. It’s far from ideal for kids/teens to spend at least 40 hrs a week on a cramped, dreary campus with little natural light and no greenery. Come on, the cafeteria has black walls and no windows. But it’s true that some tolerate the arrangement far better than others. That’s the story with BASIS DC in the big picture.

That's why the best situation is when all those who don't like the school leave.

I don’t agree. When it’s the BASIS way or the highway in every case, kids suffer. It’s good when clued-in parents with some chutzpah stick around to push back against seriously unreasonable or sloppy management decisions, policies and practices. The routine hiring of MS teachers with no real content background or teaching experience is one. Recent parental pressure has been efffecting welcome change in that area.

Get over yourself it is MS. You want science teachers from Los Alamos then pony up for private Captain.

[Anonymous]

Are you involved with the parent pressure group? If not, pipe down. They've done a v. good job in convincing admins to bother to recruit more qualified middle school teachers in the last year. It's working. No harm done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you involved with the parent pressure group? If not, pipe down. They've done a v. good job in convincing admins to bother to recruit more qualified middle school teachers in the last year. It's working. No harm done.

You make a fool of yourself with comments like that. Hiring in public education has been a sh*t show since the pandemic. The idea that NOW is when any school can be picky is an ignorant take. And demanding true subject matter expertise for MS (any MS, anywhere) is a laughable. Your ego offends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you involved with the parent pressure group? If not, pipe down. They've done a v. good job in convincing admins to bother to recruit more qualified middle school teachers in the last year. It's working. No harm done.

You make a fool of yourself with comments like that. Hiring in public education has been a sh*t show since the pandemic. The idea that NOW is when any school can be picky is an ignorant take. And demanding true subject matter expertise for MS (any MS, anywhere) is a laughable. Your ego offends.

Pipe down, captain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you involved with the parent pressure group? If not, pipe down. They've done a v. good job in convincing admins to bother to recruit more qualified middle school teachers in the last year. It's working. No harm done.

Did anybody ever figure out how to connect with this parent group? Nobody seems to know anybody in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you involved with the parent pressure group? If not, pipe down. They've done a v. good job in convincing admins to bother to recruit more qualified middle school teachers in the last year. It's working. No harm done.

Did anybody ever figure out how to connect with this parent group? Nobody seems to know anybody in it.

Doesn’t exist except on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Easy. Go to the next BASIS board meeting and see which parents turn up to ask questions and demand answers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you involved with the parent pressure group? If not, pipe down. They've done a v. good job in convincing admins to bother to recruit more qualified middle school teachers in the last year. It's working. No harm done.

Did anybody ever figure out how to connect with this parent group? Nobody seems to know anybody in it.

Doesn’t exist except on DCUM.

The trouble with parent pressure groups is that they tend to be filled with people that are very convinced of their own expertise. I've been in a room with this group and found the discourse a little light on facts and heavy on feelings.

[Anonymous]

That’s why schools should have PTAs with elected leadership, parents and teachers, vs. merely adhoc pressure groups and parent booster groups. BASIS DC admins expect parents to fundraise for then turn the dough over to bump up teachers salaries. The system is ridiculous. If you aren’t desperate for a middle school offering rigor you don’t bother with being pushed around at BASIS.

[Anonymous]

The parent group does exist. For those that want to be part of it but don't know who to ask, reach out on the main BASIS listserv. (Tip: don't call it the pressure group. Perhaps call it the parent advocacy group if anything...)

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parent group does exist. For those that want to be part of it but don't know who to ask, reach out on the main BASIS listserv. (Tip: don't call it the pressure group. Perhaps call it the parent advocacy group if anything...)

What is the "main BASIS listserv"?

-5th grade parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parent group does exist. For those that want to be part of it but don't know who to ask, reach out on the main BASIS listserv. (Tip: don't call it the pressure group. Perhaps call it the parent advocacy group if anything...)

We are on the listserv and are unaware of it. Maybe do a better job getting the word out.

There are also some grade specific WhatsApp groups—are you talking about those?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s why schools should have PTAs with elected leadership, parents and teachers, vs. merely adhoc pressure groups and parent booster groups. BASIS DC admins expect parents to fundraise for then turn the dough over to bump up teachers salaries. The system is ridiculous. If you aren’t desperate for a middle school offering rigor you don’t bother with being pushed around at BASIS.

The charter elementary school my kids attend doesn’t have elected PTA leadership and hosts a gala every year to help fund teacher salaries. I agree it’s ridiculous but it’s not like BASIS is alone in doing these things.