BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would love to see BASIS be allowed to open w/ the condition that there's no feed to the MS and see how many people actually want BASIS-style education for their K-4th graders. I bet they'd fill, but with a totally different population than their MS.

Saying that people will go to BASIS K for the MS feed does *not* mean there's demand for BASIS K; it means there's demand for BASIS MS. We already have BASIS MS, so the question is why an ES in an area already saturated by serviceable to very good ESes serves DC's interests. The fact that every other BASIS has K-4 does not answer this question at all.

In a forum filled with dumb takes, yours takes the cake, madam. All school decisions are in essence about not just that year or that school, but the feeder pattern. Did you figure that out all by yourself?

It's actually amazing how much you're missing the point. The question is whether there's demand for BASIS K independent of BASIS middle. There is already a BASIS middle, DC doesn't get value add out of adding a BASIS K unless there is *independent* demand for it. Shuffling different kids into BASIS earlier doesn't help DC overall. MSes are not entitled to open ESes just because they want to.

Two things:
1. These are not independent. I know for you (with your good ES) it feels like they are, but that doesn't make it so.
2. If they fill the seats there is demand. At which point you will be back on here saying the people who chose BASIS should not have been allowed to or should have stayed in their IB school. Because what is best for you is clearly the choice everyone else should make?

Exactly. The demand for the BASIS MS seat will drive the demand for the BASIS ES seat.

No one is denying that BASIS ES will fill because of demand for BASIS MS. BASIS could also fill PK3-4. Latin could fill PK3-4. DCI could fill PK3-5. None of these prove that there is independent value to the ESes/PKs in question, which is the standard that needs to be met for opening a new school. Locking people into feeder patterns early is not an independent value. And, as explained, when BASIS refuses to back fill, it is actually a detriment.

If the seats fill it is because families decided that BASIS was where THEY (not you) wanted to be. Could be because they want a good MS/HS feeder. Could be because BASIS ES is a better option than their IB ES. Could be because they want a school that doesn't socially promote and attracts kids of a certain type. Could be because of proximity. What confounds me is that you and your sisterhood thin it is up to you to decide whether people should be allowed to make their own decisions on what is best for their families. You don't know whether BASIS will backfill in K-4. And they will add @45 seats in 5th (from the projected 90 in 4th) so there will be new students and new seats.

You conclude it is a detriment. For families that decide it is what they want and the best option for them it is certainly a benefit. Or did I miss the part where someone elected UMC CH families arbiters of what is good or bad for other families?

So do you think it is best for the good people of DC to have yet another elementary school in an area that already has a surplus of elementary seats? Or would it be best to have a new school in an area that doesn't have so many good schools and really needs one?

JOW is not a good school. It is the closest DCPS ES. I adore people like you who think people IB for JOW or Miner or other marginal schools shouldn't have better options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would love to see BASIS be allowed to open w/ the condition that there's no feed to the MS and see how many people actually want BASIS-style education for their K-4th graders. I bet they'd fill, but with a totally different population than their MS.

Saying that people will go to BASIS K for the MS feed does *not* mean there's demand for BASIS K; it means there's demand for BASIS MS. We already have BASIS MS, so the question is why an ES in an area already saturated by serviceable to very good ESes serves DC's interests. The fact that every other BASIS has K-4 does not answer this question at all.

In a forum filled with dumb takes, yours takes the cake, madam. All school decisions are in essence about not just that year or that school, but the feeder pattern. Did you figure that out all by yourself?

It's actually amazing how much you're missing the point. The question is whether there's demand for BASIS K independent of BASIS middle. There is already a BASIS middle, DC doesn't get value add out of adding a BASIS K unless there is *independent* demand for it. Shuffling different kids into BASIS earlier doesn't help DC overall. MSes are not entitled to open ESes just because they want to.

Two things:
1. These are not independent. I know for you (with your good ES) it feels like they are, but that doesn't make it so.
2. If they fill the seats there is demand. At which point you will be back on here saying the people who chose BASIS should not have been allowed to or should have stayed in their IB school. Because what is best for you is clearly the choice everyone else should make?

Exactly. The demand for the BASIS MS seat will drive the demand for the BASIS ES seat.

No one is denying that BASIS ES will fill because of demand for BASIS MS. BASIS could also fill PK3-4. Latin could fill PK3-4. DCI could fill PK3-5. None of these prove that there is independent value to the ESes/PKs in question, which is the standard that needs to be met for opening a new school. Locking people into feeder patterns early is not an independent value. And, as explained, when BASIS refuses to back fill, it is actually a detriment.

If the seats fill it is because families decided that BASIS was where THEY (not you) wanted to be. Could be because they want a good MS/HS feeder. Could be because BASIS ES is a better option than their IB ES. Could be because they want a school that doesn't socially promote and attracts kids of a certain type. Could be because of proximity. What confounds me is that you and your sisterhood thin it is up to you to decide whether people should be allowed to make their own decisions on what is best for their families. You don't know whether BASIS will backfill in K-4. And they will add @45 seats in 5th (from the projected 90 in 4th) so there will be new students and new seats.

You conclude it is a detriment. For families that decide it is what they want and the best option for them it is certainly a benefit. Or did I miss the part where someone elected UMC CH families arbiters of what is good or bad for other families?

I think you actually just don't get it. Your logic would mean any school that wants to should be able to open anywhere. Sink or swim. Who cares how it affects other schools or the existing school? Hell, any school with a successful MS should be able to open 3 ESes if it wants to, right? No. DCPB does not and should not approve schools without thinking whether they are good for DC overall and NOT just the families that will enroll. I get that you are excited about BASIS ES wanting to open near you. Did I miss the part where someone elected you an arbiter of what was good or bad for the city? Oh, wait. It goes both ways, huh? Everyone on here is just stating their opinion. Mine is that BASIS ES should not be allowed to open in this location.

You are adorable.

Wow, conceding you’re wrong I see. Rarely so clear.

Pretty sure the point was that you are self centered and think that you get to decide what's "best for the city" even if it means people who don't have your options are stuck in lousy schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m also concerned with attracting and retaining teachers for the ES. 2-4 grades can be tough from a classroom management standpoint and charters typically pay less and have less resources making it tough to retain. We have seen the impact that has had at other charter ES in the target area (TR and MV). Would hate to see a downward spiral for BASIS knowing that teacher retention is already a concern for the HS.

2nd grade teachers and HS teachers are not the same pool. These two things have nothing to do with each other. The "low pay" boogeyman doesn't play here; BASIS is matching DCPS scale. As has been explained, TR and MV are inapt analogies since they duplicated existing schools as matters of first impression. BASIS proposed to add K-4, something they have done across the country.

Other than that, you nailed it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would love to see BASIS be allowed to open w/ the condition that there's no feed to the MS and see how many people actually want BASIS-style education for their K-4th graders. I bet they'd fill, but with a totally different population than their MS.

Saying that people will go to BASIS K for the MS feed does *not* mean there's demand for BASIS K; it means there's demand for BASIS MS. We already have BASIS MS, so the question is why an ES in an area already saturated by serviceable to very good ESes serves DC's interests. The fact that every other BASIS has K-4 does not answer this question at all.

In a forum filled with dumb takes, yours takes the cake, madam. All school decisions are in essence about not just that year or that school, but the feeder pattern. Did you figure that out all by yourself?

It's actually amazing how much you're missing the point. The question is whether there's demand for BASIS K independent of BASIS middle. There is already a BASIS middle, DC doesn't get value add out of adding a BASIS K unless there is *independent* demand for it. Shuffling different kids into BASIS earlier doesn't help DC overall. MSes are not entitled to open ESes just because they want to.

Two things:
1. These are not independent. I know for you (with your good ES) it feels like they are, but that doesn't make it so.
2. If they fill the seats there is demand. At which point you will be back on here saying the people who chose BASIS should not have been allowed to or should have stayed in their IB school. Because what is best for you is clearly the choice everyone else should make?

Exactly. The demand for the BASIS MS seat will drive the demand for the BASIS ES seat.

No one is denying that BASIS ES will fill because of demand for BASIS MS. BASIS could also fill PK3-4. Latin could fill PK3-4. DCI could fill PK3-5. None of these prove that there is independent value to the ESes/PKs in question, which is the standard that needs to be met for opening a new school. Locking people into feeder patterns early is not an independent value. And, as explained, when BASIS refuses to back fill, it is actually a detriment.

If the seats fill it is because families decided that BASIS was where THEY (not you) wanted to be. Could be because they want a good MS/HS feeder. Could be because BASIS ES is a better option than their IB ES. Could be because they want a school that doesn't socially promote and attracts kids of a certain type. Could be because of proximity. What confounds me is that you and your sisterhood thin it is up to you to decide whether people should be allowed to make their own decisions on what is best for their families. You don't know whether BASIS will backfill in K-4. And they will add @45 seats in 5th (from the projected 90 in 4th) so there will be new students and new seats.

You conclude it is a detriment. For families that decide it is what they want and the best option for them it is certainly a benefit. Or did I miss the part where someone elected UMC CH families arbiters of what is good or bad for other families?

So do you think it is best for the good people of DC to have yet another elementary school in an area that already has a surplus of elementary seats? Or would it be best to have a new school in an area that doesn't have so many good schools and really needs one?

JOW is not a good school. It is the closest DCPS ES. I adore people like you who think people IB for JOW or Miner or other marginal schools shouldn't have better options.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The big question no one has answered yet is will BASIS backfill in elementary?

No one has answered you...on an anonymous forum..about a school that isn't open. How dare they!!!!

I actually this is a make or break question for their application to the PCSB and their success as an elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would love to see BASIS be allowed to open w/ the condition that there's no feed to the MS and see how many people actually want BASIS-style education for their K-4th graders. I bet they'd fill, but with a totally different population than their MS.

Saying that people will go to BASIS K for the MS feed does *not* mean there's demand for BASIS K; it means there's demand for BASIS MS. We already have BASIS MS, so the question is why an ES in an area already saturated by serviceable to very good ESes serves DC's interests. The fact that every other BASIS has K-4 does not answer this question at all.

In a forum filled with dumb takes, yours takes the cake, madam. All school decisions are in essence about not just that year or that school, but the feeder pattern. Did you figure that out all by yourself?

It's actually amazing how much you're missing the point. The question is whether there's demand for BASIS K independent of BASIS middle. There is already a BASIS middle, DC doesn't get value add out of adding a BASIS K unless there is *independent* demand for it. Shuffling different kids into BASIS earlier doesn't help DC overall. MSes are not entitled to open ESes just because they want to.

Two things:
1. These are not independent. I know for you (with your good ES) it feels like they are, but that doesn't make it so.
2. If they fill the seats there is demand. At which point you will be back on here saying the people who chose BASIS should not have been allowed to or should have stayed in their IB school. Because what is best for you is clearly the choice everyone else should make?

Exactly. The demand for the BASIS MS seat will drive the demand for the BASIS ES seat.

No one is denying that BASIS ES will fill because of demand for BASIS MS. BASIS could also fill PK3-4. Latin could fill PK3-4. DCI could fill PK3-5. None of these prove that there is independent value to the ESes/PKs in question, which is the standard that needs to be met for opening a new school. Locking people into feeder patterns early is not an independent value. And, as explained, when BASIS refuses to back fill, it is actually a detriment.

If the seats fill it is because families decided that BASIS was where THEY (not you) wanted to be. Could be because they want a good MS/HS feeder. Could be because BASIS ES is a better option than their IB ES. Could be because they want a school that doesn't socially promote and attracts kids of a certain type. Could be because of proximity. What confounds me is that you and your sisterhood thin it is up to you to decide whether people should be allowed to make their own decisions on what is best for their families. You don't know whether BASIS will backfill in K-4. And they will add @45 seats in 5th (from the projected 90 in 4th) so there will be new students and new seats.

You conclude it is a detriment. For families that decide it is what they want and the best option for them it is certainly a benefit. Or did I miss the part where someone elected UMC CH families arbiters of what is good or bad for other families?

So do you think it is best for the good people of DC to have yet another elementary school in an area that already has a surplus of elementary seats? Or would it be best to have a new school in an area that doesn't have so many good schools and really needs one?

JOW is not a good school. It is the closest DCPS ES. I adore people like you who think people IB for JOW or Miner or other marginal schools shouldn't have better options.

+1

Actually I think the people whose only nearby options are really terrible should have the benefit of BASIS. Rather than adding another option to an area that already has some good schools and more seats than it needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also concerned with attracting and retaining teachers for the ES. 2-4 grades can be tough from a classroom management standpoint and charters typically pay less and have less resources making it tough to retain. We have seen the impact that has had at other charter ES in the target area (TR and MV). Would hate to see a downward spiral for BASIS knowing that teacher retention is already a concern for the HS.

2nd grade teachers and HS teachers are not the same pool. These two things have nothing to do with each other. The "low pay" boogeyman doesn't play here; BASIS is matching DCPS scale. As has been explained, TR and MV are inapt analogies since they duplicated existing schools as matters of first impression. BASIS proposed to add K-4, something they have done across the country.

Other than that, you nailed it!

I am aware that they will be matching DCPS salaries, which is fantastic, I’m just waiting to see what resources they will have to scale back on and how much more families will have to contribute in fundraising. I understand that BASIS has K-4 in other states but I worry that they underestimate the dynamics in DC. While TR and MV differ from BASIS in their manner of expansion, they are still ES charters and at least from what is posted on DCUM, classroom management and retaining teachers in upper ES at several charters has been a challenge. I don’t see how this would not also be a challenge for BASIS ES. As we even see at the MS level (and likely even at other BASIS location) not every kid is a good fit for the BASIS model. Since acceptance is based on the lottery there will definitely be kids that won’t respond well in a more rigorous and structured classroom and will cause disruptions in class. Hopefully they will at least have dedicated aides for every upper ES classroom to assist the lead teachers so there are 2 teachers in the class at all times. There does not appear to be a surplus of qualified ES school teachers in the area so unless they will be filling the school with teachers from the other locations, staffing may still be a challenge. I hope my concerns are unfounded though, because I support school choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also concerned with attracting and retaining teachers for the ES. 2-4 grades can be tough from a classroom management standpoint and charters typically pay less and have less resources making it tough to retain. We have seen the impact that has had at other charter ES in the target area (TR and MV). Would hate to see a downward spiral for BASIS knowing that teacher retention is already a concern for the HS.

2nd grade teachers and HS teachers are not the same pool. These two things have nothing to do with each other. The "low pay" boogeyman doesn't play here; BASIS is matching DCPS scale. As has been explained, TR and MV are inapt analogies since they duplicated existing schools as matters of first impression. BASIS proposed to add K-4, something they have done across the country.

Other than that, you nailed it!

I am aware that they will be matching DCPS salaries, which is fantastic, I’m just waiting to see what resources they will have to scale back on and how much more families will have to contribute in fundraising. I understand that BASIS has K-4 in other states but I worry that they underestimate the dynamics in DC. While TR and MV differ from BASIS in their manner of expansion, they are still ES charters and at least from what is posted on DCUM, classroom management and retaining teachers in upper ES at several charters has been a challenge. I don’t see how this would not also be a challenge for BASIS ES. As we even see at the MS level (and likely even at other BASIS location) not every kid is a good fit for the BASIS model. Since acceptance is based on the lottery there will definitely be kids that won’t respond well in a more rigorous and structured classroom and will cause disruptions in class. Hopefully they will at least have dedicated aides for every upper ES classroom to assist the lead teachers so there are 2 teachers in the class at all times. There does not appear to be a surplus of qualified ES school teachers in the area so unless they will be filling the school with teachers from the other locations, staffing may still be a challenge. I hope my concerns are unfounded though, because I support school choice.

BASIS has the lowest percentage of students at-risk, the lowest percentage of students with disabilities and the lowest percentage of African American students of any charter high school operating in the District and the BASIS middle school is in the lowest three or four charters in each of those categories. They are serving a very distinct population. One can assume that there will be a similar self-selection among elementary families for those who are choosing BASIS elementary. Every kid won't be a good fit but shouldn't families be the judge of that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also concerned with attracting and retaining teachers for the ES. 2-4 grades can be tough from a classroom management standpoint and charters typically pay less and have less resources making it tough to retain. We have seen the impact that has had at other charter ES in the target area (TR and MV). Would hate to see a downward spiral for BASIS knowing that teacher retention is already a concern for the HS.

2nd grade teachers and HS teachers are not the same pool. These two things have nothing to do with each other. The "low pay" boogeyman doesn't play here; BASIS is matching DCPS scale. As has been explained, TR and MV are inapt analogies since they duplicated existing schools as matters of first impression. BASIS proposed to add K-4, something they have done across the country.

Other than that, you nailed it!

I am aware that they will be matching DCPS salaries, which is fantastic, I’m just waiting to see what resources they will have to scale back on and how much more families will have to contribute in fundraising. I understand that BASIS has K-4 in other states but I worry that they underestimate the dynamics in DC. While TR and MV differ from BASIS in their manner of expansion, they are still ES charters and at least from what is posted on DCUM, classroom management and retaining teachers in upper ES at several charters has been a challenge. I don’t see how this would not also be a challenge for BASIS ES. As we even see at the MS level (and likely even at other BASIS location) not every kid is a good fit for the BASIS model. Since acceptance is based on the lottery there will definitely be kids that won’t respond well in a more rigorous and structured classroom and will cause disruptions in class. Hopefully they will at least have dedicated aides for every upper ES classroom to assist the lead teachers so there are 2 teachers in the class at all times. There does not appear to be a surplus of qualified ES school teachers in the area so unless they will be filling the school with teachers from the other locations, staffing may still be a challenge. I hope my concerns are unfounded though, because I support school choice.

BASIS has the lowest percentage of students at-risk, the lowest percentage of students with disabilities and the lowest percentage of African American students of any charter high school operating in the District and the BASIS middle school is in the lowest three or four charters in each of those categories. They are serving a very distinct population. One can assume that there will be a similar self-selection among elementary families for those who are choosing BASIS elementary. Every kid won't be a good fit but shouldn't families be the judge of that?

Wow, is it an assumption or intention that the BASIS ES will not serve these populations. UMC white families have other options so I don’t see a demonstrated need for another public charter school that caters to the privileged class. This also alludes to BASIS DC doing well based on demographics rather than the actual curriculum. I most definitely want my kids in classrooms with other high performers and I was optimistic that the BASIS ES would help bring in some more socioeconomic and racial diversity by giving families the opportunity to lay the educational foundation sooner so they don’t self-select out of MS due to concerns of being behind. For those families that will be making the decision for their 4 or 5 year olds to start K, they have ideas for the level of rigor they would like for their child but no actual idea how their child will actually perform in the BASIS environment. We also haven’t had any families with experience at BASIS ES so how can they truly know what it will be like since the ES is different from the MS and HS.

[Anonymous]

According to its website https://enrollbasis.com/about-basis-charter-schools/frequently-asked-questions/ BASIS elementary grades have 2 adults per classroom with an average class size of 30.

I don't see many DCPS teachers signing up for classes averaging 30.I think it likely that many of the teachers will be recent college grads with an interest in teaching but without certification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to its website https://enrollbasis.com/about-basis-charter-schools/frequently-asked-questions/ BASIS elementary grades have 2 adults per classroom with an average class size of 30.

I don't see many DCPS teachers signing up for classes averaging 30.I think it likely that many of the teachers will be recent college grads with an interest in teaching but without certification.

That’s what lots of charters get in terms of teachers, including Basis MS and HS. After a few years of experience most leave for DCPS schools or Moco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also concerned with attracting and retaining teachers for the ES. 2-4 grades can be tough from a classroom management standpoint and charters typically pay less and have less resources making it tough to retain. We have seen the impact that has had at other charter ES in the target area (TR and MV). Would hate to see a downward spiral for BASIS knowing that teacher retention is already a concern for the HS.

2nd grade teachers and HS teachers are not the same pool. These two things have nothing to do with each other. The "low pay" boogeyman doesn't play here; BASIS is matching DCPS scale. As has been explained, TR and MV are inapt analogies since they duplicated existing schools as matters of first impression. BASIS proposed to add K-4, something they have done across the country.

Other than that, you nailed it!

I am aware that they will be matching DCPS salaries, which is fantastic, I’m just waiting to see what resources they will have to scale back on and how much more families will have to contribute in fundraising. I understand that BASIS has K-4 in other states but I worry that they underestimate the dynamics in DC. While TR and MV differ from BASIS in their manner of expansion, they are still ES charters and at least from what is posted on DCUM, classroom management and retaining teachers in upper ES at several charters has been a challenge. I don’t see how this would not also be a challenge for BASIS ES. As we even see at the MS level (and likely even at other BASIS location) not every kid is a good fit for the BASIS model. Since acceptance is based on the lottery there will definitely be kids that won’t respond well in a more rigorous and structured classroom and will cause disruptions in class. Hopefully they will at least have dedicated aides for every upper ES classroom to assist the lead teachers so there are 2 teachers in the class at all times. There does not appear to be a surplus of qualified ES school teachers in the area so unless they will be filling the school with teachers from the other locations, staffing may still be a challenge. I hope my concerns are unfounded though, because I support school choice.

244 words to say, "You got me. Yeah, what I said made little to no sense."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to its website https://enrollbasis.com/about-basis-charter-schools/frequently-asked-questions/ BASIS elementary grades have 2 adults per classroom with an average class size of 30.

I don't see many DCPS teachers signing up for classes averaging 30.I think it likely that many of the teachers will be recent college grads with an interest in teaching but without certification.

That’s what lots of charters get in terms of teachers, including Basis MS and HS. After a few years of experience most leave for DCPS schools or Moco.

And yet many charters are better options for DC parents than IB schools with those teachers about which you speak so highly of. As I have said a dozen times on this thread, funny how people who have access to good ES are so quick to lecture those that don't about how their choices are invalid or incorrect. If people like you with your WTU talk track had their way there'd be no YY, no BASIS, no Latin and no DCI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also concerned with attracting and retaining teachers for the ES. 2-4 grades can be tough from a classroom management standpoint and charters typically pay less and have less resources making it tough to retain. We have seen the impact that has had at other charter ES in the target area (TR and MV). Would hate to see a downward spiral for BASIS knowing that teacher retention is already a concern for the HS.

2nd grade teachers and HS teachers are not the same pool. These two things have nothing to do with each other. The "low pay" boogeyman doesn't play here; BASIS is matching DCPS scale. As has been explained, TR and MV are inapt analogies since they duplicated existing schools as matters of first impression. BASIS proposed to add K-4, something they have done across the country.

Other than that, you nailed it!

I am aware that they will be matching DCPS salaries, which is fantastic, I’m just waiting to see what resources they will have to scale back on and how much more families will have to contribute in fundraising. I understand that BASIS has K-4 in other states but I worry that they underestimate the dynamics in DC. While TR and MV differ from BASIS in their manner of expansion, they are still ES charters and at least from what is posted on DCUM, classroom management and retaining teachers in upper ES at several charters has been a challenge. I don’t see how this would not also be a challenge for BASIS ES. As we even see at the MS level (and likely even at other BASIS location) not every kid is a good fit for the BASIS model. Since acceptance is based on the lottery there will definitely be kids that won’t respond well in a more rigorous and structured classroom and will cause disruptions in class. Hopefully they will at least have dedicated aides for every upper ES classroom to assist the lead teachers so there are 2 teachers in the class at all times. There does not appear to be a surplus of qualified ES school teachers in the area so unless they will be filling the school with teachers from the other locations, staffing may still be a challenge. I hope my concerns are unfounded though, because I support school choice.

BASIS has the lowest percentage of students at-risk, the lowest percentage of students with disabilities and the lowest percentage of African American students of any charter high school operating in the District and the BASIS middle school is in the lowest three or four charters in each of those categories. They are serving a very distinct population. One can assume that there will be a similar self-selection among elementary families for those who are choosing BASIS elementary. Every kid won't be a good fit but shouldn't families be the judge of that?

Wow, is it an assumption or intention that the BASIS ES will not serve these populations. UMC white families have other options so I don’t see a demonstrated need for another public charter school that caters to the privileged class. This also alludes to BASIS DC doing well based on demographics rather than the actual curriculum. I most definitely want my kids in classrooms with other high performers and I was optimistic that the BASIS ES would help bring in some more socioeconomic and racial diversity by giving families the opportunity to lay the educational foundation sooner so they don’t self-select out of MS due to concerns of being behind. For those families that will be making the decision for their 4 or 5 year olds to start K, they have ideas for the level of rigor they would like for their child but no actual idea how their child will actually perform in the BASIS environment. We also haven’t had any families with experience at BASIS ES so how can they truly know what it will be like since the ES is different from the MS and HS.

Yes but is there a need for a school that caters to academically gifted students with parents motivated/prepared to support those students?

For BASIS ES to work the way you dream, perhaps they use the equitable access preference to ensure they have the average city-wide at-risk percentage of 50% at the proposed school. That would show that the BASIS ES model works to prepare all children well as long as they start early enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m also concerned with attracting and retaining teachers for the ES. 2-4 grades can be tough from a classroom management standpoint and charters typically pay less and have less resources making it tough to retain. We have seen the impact that has had at other charter ES in the target area (TR and MV). Would hate to see a downward spiral for BASIS knowing that teacher retention is already a concern for the HS.

2nd grade teachers and HS teachers are not the same pool. These two things have nothing to do with each other. The "low pay" boogeyman doesn't play here; BASIS is matching DCPS scale. As has been explained, TR and MV are inapt analogies since they duplicated existing schools as matters of first impression. BASIS proposed to add K-4, something they have done across the country.

Other than that, you nailed it!

I am aware that they will be matching DCPS salaries, which is fantastic, I’m just waiting to see what resources they will have to scale back on and how much more families will have to contribute in fundraising. I understand that BASIS has K-4 in other states but I worry that they underestimate the dynamics in DC. While TR and MV differ from BASIS in their manner of expansion, they are still ES charters and at least from what is posted on DCUM, classroom management and retaining teachers in upper ES at several charters has been a challenge. I don’t see how this would not also be a challenge for BASIS ES. As we even see at the MS level (and likely even at other BASIS location) not every kid is a good fit for the BASIS model. Since acceptance is based on the lottery there will definitely be kids that won’t respond well in a more rigorous and structured classroom and will cause disruptions in class. Hopefully they will at least have dedicated aides for every upper ES classroom to assist the lead teachers so there are 2 teachers in the class at all times. There does not appear to be a surplus of qualified ES school teachers in the area so unless they will be filling the school with teachers from the other locations, staffing may still be a challenge. I hope my concerns are unfounded though, because I support school choice.

BASIS has the lowest percentage of students at-risk, the lowest percentage of students with disabilities and the lowest percentage of African American students of any charter high school operating in the District and the BASIS middle school is in the lowest three or four charters in each of those categories. They are serving a very distinct population. One can assume that there will be a similar self-selection among elementary families for those who are choosing BASIS elementary. Every kid won't be a good fit but shouldn't families be the judge of that?

Wow, is it an assumption or intention that the BASIS ES will not serve these populations. UMC white families have other options so I don’t see a demonstrated need for another public charter school that caters to the privileged class. This also alludes to BASIS DC doing well based on demographics rather than the actual curriculum. I most definitely want my kids in classrooms with other high performers and I was optimistic that the BASIS ES would help bring in some more socioeconomic and racial diversity by giving families the opportunity to lay the educational foundation sooner so they don’t self-select out of MS due to concerns of being behind. For those families that will be making the decision for their 4 or 5 year olds to start K, they have ideas for the level of rigor they would like for their child but no actual idea how their child will actually perform in the BASIS environment. We also haven’t had any families with experience at BASIS ES so how can they truly know what it will be like since the ES is different from the MS and HS.

Yes but is there a need for a school that caters to academically gifted students with parents motivated/prepared to support those students?

For BASIS ES to work the way you dream, perhaps they use the equitable access preference to ensure they have the average city-wide at-risk percentage of 50% at the proposed school. That would show that the BASIS ES model works to prepare all children well as long as they start early enough.

We already have BASIS MS that caters to the academically gifted with parents motivated/prepared to support. This past year’s 90s club % along with the overall average needed to make Honor Roll indicate the ESs these students are coming from are doing a good job preparing these students for success. The 2023 PCSB charter application guidelines talk about equity and inclusiveness being factors that will be evaluated during the review process. If the BASIS ES has to commit to a more diverse student body that more closely resembles the city, the concern is that they will encounter similar challenges that the other charters that were once highly regarded faced.