BASIS DC to open in 2012-2013

[Anonymous]

No, but we're also not going to assume that private school teachers are superior *because* they may not have to go through a certification process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. It because DC charter schools are allowed to hire uncertified teachers. this is not the case in every state. From what I gather, a major thrust of Basis is that they hire their teachers based on their teaching ability AND their depth of expertise in their particular subject. Anyone who looks Round can see pretty quickly that certified teachers are not often also the highest caliber in their subject area ( chemistry, math, world history, journalism, us government etc.) I am a certified teacher and can tell you that the ridiculously irrelevant course of study and subsequent bureaucracy to become a certified teacher drives away anyone slightly sane who.doesn't want their time wasted.

I doubt the writer is a certified teacher -- it's more likely a plant and one too dumb to realize that certified teachers would be unlikely to put themselves down so willingly in at attempt to show how useless certification is. Apparently the writer doesn't fit into the "slightly sane" category of people described who are driven away from becoming a certified teacher.

I hope the proponents of BASIS don't use this kind of dishonest tactic to try to lure people into their school.

I am the pp and assure you that I am a certified teacher in DC. And I do consider myself and many of my colleagues slightly insane to go through the craziness we do. Believe me when I tell you that the certification circus does filter out many good teachers. Guess where they teach? PRIVATE SCHOOLS that also don't require certification. Now are you going to argue that private school teachers are inferior because they didn't get certified?

What the pp originally stated was certification drove away teachers who were "slightly sane," which is a lot different than being slightly insane.

My position is that BASIS should not hold up certification as a negative in terms of identifying quality teachers just as it shouldn't hold up non-certification as a means of identifying high quality teachers.

My understanding is that private school teachers will accept lower pay and less job security as a trade off for fewer discipline problems, smaller class size and more serious, prepared students who have plenty of parental support - elements which make it easier for teachers to teach and students to learn.

Is this the deal that BASIS will offer its teachers and students? If so, this is what BASIS should advertise, not the superiority of non-certified teachers.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure that private school teachers have less job security than DCPS teachers these days. Turnover in DCPS is mind-blowing and there are a number of cases that suggest that firing decisions are made arbitrarily (or at least not on the basis of teaching ability/classroom performance).

The other thing that attracts good teachers to good private schools is that they are treated with respect and have more control over what they teach and how. I don't think that, for the best teachers, at least, the allure of privates is that teaching is "easier" -- it's that you have the chance to do your work well and be appreciated for it.

That's a very different gig than working in a place where there's a pre-set curriculum and a method you're supposed to adhere to, where resources are scarce, and where standardized test scores may be the biggest factor determining your pay/job security.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure that private school teachers have less job security than DCPS teachers these days. Turnover in DCPS is mind-blowing and there are a number of cases that suggest that firing decisions are made arbitrarily (or at least not on the basis of teaching ability/classroom performance).

The other thing that attracts good teachers to good private schools is that they are treated with respect and have more control over what they teach and how. I don't think that, for the best teachers, at least, the allure of privates is that teaching is "easier" -- it's that you have the chance to do your work well and be appreciated for it.

That's a very different gig than working in a place where there's a pre-set curriculum and a method you're supposed to adhere to, where resources are scarce, and where standardized test scores may be the biggest factor determining your pay/job security.

ITA, and charters, irrespective of the certification status of their teachers, have to administer the same standardized tests to their students as DCPS does.

[Anonymous]

Back to Mary Siddall. Is this the same person:

"Mary Siddall saw many of her peers frustrated with the lack of progress in their careers. She invited a group of friends to do something about it. The group included Samuel Casey Carter, Adam Kaufman, Robert and Lisa Caldwell, and Chris Siddall. In March of 1995, crowded around her kitchen table, they decided to form an organization to help young, ambitious conservatives and libertarians."?

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

So what? I'm confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to Mary Siddall. Is this the same person:

"Mary Siddall saw many of her peers frustrated with the lack of progress in their careers. She invited a group of friends to do something about it. The group included Samuel Casey Carter, Adam Kaufman, Robert and Lisa Caldwell, and Chris Siddall. In March of 1995, crowded around her kitchen table, they decided to form an organization to help young, ambitious conservatives and libertarians."?

41:51 on C-SPAN for group.

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/WashingtonJournalSaturday12

[Anonymous]

Wow-watched the interview (about midway through the episode). That was disturbing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow-watched the interview (about midway through the episode). That was disturbing.

You are disturbed?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone think that Mary Siddall will actually run the school? Come on. They are using a foot soldier in Mary to do the heavy lifting but are not committing to her appointment publicly. As for the silly video, she was a baby, who else would like to see a replay of themselves posted when they were 25 or 28? I appreciate how hard this woman has worked for years toward higher standards in public education. I knew her well. The system would be lucky to have her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone think that Mary Siddall will actually run the school? Come on. They are using a foot soldier in Mary to do the heavy lifting but are not committing to her appointment publicly. As for the silly video, she was a baby, who else would like to see a replay of themselves posted when they were 25 or 28? I appreciate how hard this woman has worked for years toward higher standards in public education. I knew her well. The system would be lucky to have her.

sounds like damning with faint praise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone think that Mary Siddall will actually run the school? Come on. They are using a foot soldier in Mary to do the heavy lifting but are not committing to her appointment publicly. As for the silly video, she was a baby, who else would like to see a replay of themselves posted when they were 25 or 28? I appreciate how hard this woman has worked for years toward higher standards in public education. I knew her well. The system would be lucky to have her.

What evidence do you have that Mary is to be anything other than head of school? It is her school.

[Anonymous]

None.

[Anonymous]

It will be interesting to see how Basis ranks in the future on the Advanced list.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/judging-schools-by-advanced-scores/2011/09/10/gIQAr2CRIK_blog.html

They'll have to recruit REALLY hard to get advanced students from the feeders/lower grades on this list to take a leap of faith on Basis. The school claims you don't need to be advanced or gifted to succeed at Basis. I hope it works, but I'd rather see tax money going to growing seats at these schools and intensive help for a handful of high-potential schools.

It just seems like there are unrealistic expectations from those craving "rigorous" schools and well-prepared, high performing classmates. Apparently there is unmet demand for advanced programs in places like Palisades, Upper NW, Brookland, Shaw, etc.

OK, but would these families drive their "advanced" students to Anacostia if that's the only space Basis could get? Be honest.