Teacher turnover at BASIS

[Anonymous]

We have already had 2 teachers either leave suddenly or change positions within the school resulting in 2 vacancies for our 6th grader. In the first month. Last year I think we had 3 but 2 were for the same class. What's the deal? Seems very unprofessional of the teachers or the administration. Either way the students suffer.

[Anonymous]

Fifth year BASIS parent. That has happened to my older DC twice - lost 2 teachers his first year, both needed to go IMO. Lost 1 since then.

BASIS teachers are at-will employees - they aren't under contract as they would be at DCPS or maybe other charters. The downside of that arrangement is that they can quit without penalty and the plus side is that an ineffective teacher can be fired quickly.

I put teachers changing positions in a different category than leaving the school. While both are potentially disruptive for the students, the transfers are usually handled pretty well.

The transfers are usually handled well - and when someone quits or fired it takes about 2-3 weeks to replace them.

Talk to the HOS about your concerns and if you are still unhappy contact his boss in Arizona, Carolyn McGarvey. Both are pretty responsive.

[Anonymous]

I guess my concern is whether this is the norm or just a fluke to have back to back years of sudden changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess my concern is whether this is the norm or just a fluke to have back to back years of sudden changes.

Hasn't been norm in our experience. My kids have had 8 or 9 teachers each year. Over 4 years 3 left unexpectedly/mid year. I am not too alarmed, especially since 2 were awful.

But we've been at charters since PK3 and I do think overall there is more turnover in that sector. So maybe I'm just used to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess my concern is whether this is the norm or just a fluke to have back to back years of sudden changes.

Hasn't been norm in our experience. My kids have had 8 or 9 teachers each year. Over 4 years 3 left unexpectedly/mid year. I am not too alarmed, especially since 2 were awful.

But we've been at charters since PK3 and I do think overall there is more turnover in that sector. So maybe I'm just used to it.

Cool, because otherwise (this year especially) we are happy and our DC is content and excelling.

[Anonymous]

DIfferent 5th year BASIS parents here and there has been only one teacher out of many who left that my family considered a loss.

[Anonymous]

Didn't the principal leave to go to the new campus? That would have an impact on teacher retention. Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

We are at Latin. We've never had a teacher leave mid year, but a number of teachers leave over the summer. This is too bad because I'd like my younger teacher have the same wonderful teachers older DC has had. More turnover than at our DCPS elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Didn't the principal leave to go to the new campus? That would have an impact on teacher retention. Just a thought.

The head of BASIS McLean was at BASIS DC for one year, 2014-15. Current HOS on year 2. One administrator followed him to BASIS McLean but no teachers did.

The former director of academic affairs - who supervised / coached teachers and such - was hired by central DCPS. She will have a role over math curriculum city-wide. She resigned to accept her new job in early September, which set off other moves.

Specifically a very well-liked science and robotics/engineering teacher will move into her role, and they haven't yet hired a replacement for the classroom. Since it's an internal move they've committed to a 2-3 week transition once someone is hired.

The ones who just leave early in the year are usually brand new teachers.

[Anonymous]

DC is in 8th, and by beginning of 7th the teachers for their 5th grade art, music, math, science, Latin, English, physical geography, and history in 5th were all gone. English had gone to one of the independents and was getting her PhD at the same time in the new location, math had gone to head a new school, and everyone else had quit, most for other opportunities.

The bio/engineering teacher being promoted to the academic progress directorship is still not in that position, and will continue to teach the Engineering elective, just not 7th grade Biology. He is a fantastic teacher.

There is a lot of teacher turnover at Basis though-if kids don't do well on comps, teachers aren't asked back, the program is a huge demand on the teachers and for less pay than DCPS and though they get to teache HOw they want, the fact that there are shared comprehensive exams across all BAsis schools worldwide, there is less autonomy than at Other charters.

There is also a lot of turnover because many of the best teachers are promoted to administration. DC's favorite 6th grade teacher is now Dean of Students, and most of the admin at BDC started as favorite Basis teachers there or elsewhere. While that is great for Basis Ed, it is unfortunate for the students, as it seems that all the best teachers (which is the reason we stay at Basis DC) get promoted internally and out of teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is in 8th, and by beginning of 7th the teachers for their 5th grade art, music, math, science, Latin, English, physical geography, and history in 5th were all gone. English had gone to one of the independents and was getting her PhD at the same time in the new location, math had gone to head a new school, and everyone else had quit, most for other opportunities.

The bio/engineering teacher being promoted to the academic progress directorship is still not in that position, and will continue to teach the Engineering elective, just not 7th grade Biology. He is a fantastic teacher.

There is a lot of teacher turnover at Basis though-if kids don't do well on comps, teachers aren't asked back, the program is a huge demand on the teachers and for less pay than DCPS and though they get to teache HOw they want, the fact that there are shared comprehensive exams across all BAsis schools worldwide, there is less autonomy than at Other charters.

There is also a lot of turnover because many of the best teachers are promoted to administration. DC's favorite 6th grade teacher is now Dean of Students, and most of the admin at BDC started as favorite Basis teachers there or elsewhere. While that is great for Basis Ed, it is unfortunate for the students, as it seems that all the best teachers (which is the reason we stay at Basis DC) get promoted internally and out of teaching.

Very true.

[Anonymous]

Former BASIS parent, promoting teachers to administration without them possessing the requisite qualifications to do the new job or without considering the impact on the impact on the students in the classroom, is SOP at Basis. Promotions there seem to be run like a high school popularity contest.

[Anonymous]

Yes, like the fantastic chemistry teacher who suddenly became college counselor without having done course work in advising, or ever working as a college counselor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, like the fantastic chemistry teacher who suddenly became college counselor without having done course work in advising, or ever working as a college counselor.

That's bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, like the fantastic chemistry teacher who suddenly became college counselor without having done course work in advising, or ever working as a college counselor.

The Dean of Students would fall into this category as well. Amateurish and unprofessional is what I have experienced so far.