BASIS DCPCSB to open two PK3-5 campuses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Project enrollment/capacity for 8th street building is on page 3 of the proposal http://www.dcpcsb.org/sites/default/files/report/2016-09-02%20BASIS%20DC%20ES%20Amendment%20Application%20REDACTED.compressed.pdf

Read pages 10-50 at the same link and decide for yourself if the approach is appropriate.

-BDC middle school parent who read 100+ pages of this and would vote NO

The capacity of the current building has always been 711 since the opening of the school. I was told that they will keep the current amount of students in the building as it is now around 600 due to size constraints. So your info is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm chuckling at the idea of my K student learning note taking strategies. Pictorial notes perhaps? Though 3/4 of the time I still have to ask her to tell me what precisely it is she drew since a person and a dinosaur look essentially the same in her drawings.

The focus on test taking at such an early age holds no appeal to me personally, but maybe there are other parents who prefer that method.

You cannot envision any age appropriate assessments or teaching actual content to young children? I think it is wrong to say that they will be using the same methods as they do in their middle and upper schools. I don't think they are stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just read a lot of the proposal and think they are crazy to think that they will siphon off students from the top Elementaries, just as I still think the McLean private is misguided.

-- happy BASIS DC high school parent

Agree. But Basis McLean enrolled 300 students, across all grades, which was their goal. So maybe they're smarter than all of us.

+1 (with top). +1 (with bottom). I agree with both PP. Of course you seem like the smartest ones here so you make the briefest comments. Please expand. -- fellow happy BASIS mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm chuckling at the idea of my K student learning note taking strategies. Pictorial notes perhaps? Though 3/4 of the time I still have to ask her to tell me what precisely it is she drew since a person and a dinosaur look essentially the same in her drawings.

The focus on test taking at such an early age holds no appeal to me personally, but maybe there are other parents who prefer that method.

You cannot envision any age appropriate assessments or teaching actual content to young children? I think it is wrong to say that they will be using the same methods as they do in their middle and upper schools. I don't think they are stupid.

17:14 here (not PP). I cannot imagine one. Even with fun "games", children seem to be aware when they are tested, get stressed out, and get turned off to learning. K or even 1st is not a time for BASIS. -- long-time happy BASIS parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Are test scores really the only thing that matter for kids ages 5-9? If your answer is "Yes," or "Test scores aren't the only thing, but they're the most important thing for this age group," then are you actually a parent? It's hard for me to believe that parents would want this for their children, but I suppose Basis is counting on this option seeming preferable to some or the poorest-managed DCPS schools.

Actually, if you look at the classical education model, mastery of grammar (building blocks of every subject) is essential. Testing, done well, is a very good tool. I agree that NO kid should advance without mastery of foundations. Why are we so test averse? I am currently homeschooling my 4th grader. He is tested daily (on spelling, English grammar, math facts, history facts...) and commits pretty much everything I teach him to memory. BUT it is not stressful to him. Today, he had to memorize a pronoun chart (subject, object, possessive, reflexive...). He said it was FUN. He's already halfway through Saxon 76. NO stress. Plays golf, plays soccer, plays board games, plays Pokemon, oil paints, plays piano, and TESTS TESTS TESTS. And gets a good night's sleep, and goes on dates with mom and dad, and has great friends. The thing that people worry about is SHAME, I think, that kids are advancing at different levels. The problem is that everyone judges everyone. Testing, done well, is not harmful at all. Judging, however, is. The key for a school that tests a lot is to also build up a child's understand of what it means to make progress instead of shooting for perfection. That understanding has to be cultivated both at home and in school in order for a child to be healthy. I am not arguing that Basis is going to do this well. I am saying that I disagree with all the parents out there who are anti-testing. Testing is best when done daily. You only need to know a limited set of foundational facts between 1st and 4th grade, completely do-able, every school ought to be providing this for their kids. Basis model is amazing because it TRULY is no child left behind in a sense that this model allows nobody to slip through the cracks missing any key concepts. Is is a gift for every child to have gone through school actually having the strong foundation of education. You can't build a house if foundations have cracks.

[Anonymous]

I actually think frequent low stakes testing helps desensitize kids to testing/makes it less stressful. If we treat tests like they are just part of the learning process ("do this worksheet at your desk and then we'll correct it and hand it back"), I think young children, in particular, are unlikely to be stressed out by them. Truthfully, absent individual kids with anxiety, etc issues (i.e., those who get worked up by things in general and who I wouldn't send to Basis to begin with), I think the kids who get all worked up about tests are usually all worked up by their parents (and/or teachers) and the fact that they are getting all worked up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually think frequent low stakes testing helps desensitize kids to testing/makes it less stressful. If we treat tests like they are just part of the learning process ("do this worksheet at your desk and then we'll correct it and hand it back"), I think young children, in particular, are unlikely to be stressed out by them. Truthfully, absent individual kids with anxiety, etc issues (i.e., those who get worked up by things in general and who I wouldn't send to Basis to begin with), I think the kids who get all worked up about tests are usually all worked up by their parents (and/or teachers) and the fact that they are getting all worked up.

Wow, you know zero about mental health disorders and how they develop. Please continue with your shame and blame tactics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually think frequent low stakes testing helps desensitize kids to testing/makes it less stressful. If we treat tests like they are just part of the learning process ("do this worksheet at your desk and then we'll correct it and hand it back"), I think young children, in particular, are unlikely to be stressed out by them. Truthfully, absent individual kids with anxiety, etc issues (i.e., those who get worked up by things in general and who I wouldn't send to Basis to begin with), I think the kids who get all worked up about tests are usually all worked up by their parents (and/or teachers) and the fact that they are getting all worked up.

Wow, you know zero about mental health disorders and how they develop. Please continue with your shame and blame tactics.

Disagree with tactic and language of disrespectful poster, but cannot 100% disagree. BASIS seems to have a great model for 5-12, but I'm less certain about K-4, mostly because many children are very sensitive of testing, and testing daily leads to trauma, stress, and lack of sleep -- not desensitization. That may work for your kid, but not every kid.

I am curious about the K-12 program in Mclean and do wonder if those kids in K-4 will stay or leave. I hope they do a survey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Are test scores really the only thing that matter for kids ages 5-9? If your answer is "Yes," or "Test scores aren't the only thing, but they're the most important thing for this age group," then are you actually a parent? It's hard for me to believe that parents would want this for their children, but I suppose Basis is counting on this option seeming preferable to some or the poorest-managed DCPS schools.

Actually, if you look at the classical education model, mastery of grammar (building blocks of every subject) is essential. Testing, done well, is a very good tool. I agree that NO kid should advance without mastery of foundations. Why are we so test averse? I am currently homeschooling my 4th grader. He is tested daily (on spelling, English grammar, math facts, history facts...) and commits pretty much everything I teach him to memory. BUT it is not stressful to him. Today, he had to memorize a pronoun chart (subject, object, possessive, reflexive...). He said it was FUN. He's already halfway through Saxon 76. NO stress. Plays golf, plays soccer, plays board games, plays Pokemon, oil paints, plays piano, and TESTS TESTS TESTS. And gets a good night's sleep, and goes on dates with mom and dad, and has great friends. The thing that people worry about is SHAME, I think, that kids are advancing at different levels. The problem is that everyone judges everyone. Testing, done well, is not harmful at all. Judging, however, is. The key for a school that tests a lot is to also build up a child's understand of what it means to make progress instead of shooting for perfection. That understanding has to be cultivated both at home and in school in order for a child to be healthy. I am not arguing that Basis is going to do this well. I am saying that I disagree with all the parents out there who are anti-testing. Testing is best when done daily. You only need to know a limited set of foundational facts between 1st and 4th grade, completely do-able, every school ought to be providing this for their kids. Basis model is amazing because it TRULY is no child left behind in a sense that this model allows nobody to slip through the cracks missing any key concepts. Is is a gift for every child to have gone through school actually having the strong foundation of education. You can't build a house if foundations have cracks.

As a fellow homeschool parent who is interested in transitioning to BASIS, I don't think it's comparable. Testing with a parent is not the same as school. Well, at least not with my child. We "test" a lot, but this is a check-in process for him and me (not resultant in a grade). My child has gotten straight As since Kindergarten (yes, has been homeschooling since K). Our check-in tests are more an evaluation of what I'm doing than what he's doing -- if he's not getting something, it's 100% my fault. Also, we are able to homeschool with traditional text books (also using Saxon math) a couple times a week -- it's not every day. Many mid-day plans are only playdates with other kids. I don't think that is comparable to a 8-4 BASIS day (from what I've read).

I don't want to bash BASIS, because that's actually where I'm hoping to transition.

[Anonymous]

It's not an 8-4 day --

Middle school is 8:45-4:00. Can't imagine K-4 day would be longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Are test scores really the only thing that matter for kids ages 5-9? If your answer is "Yes," or "Test scores aren't the only thing, but they're the most important thing for this age group," then are you actually a parent? It's hard for me to believe that parents would want this for their children, but I suppose Basis is counting on this option seeming preferable to some or the poorest-managed DCPS schools.

Actually, if you look at the classical education model, mastery of grammar (building blocks of every subject) is essential. Testing, done well, is a very good tool. I agree that NO kid should advance without mastery of foundations. Why are we so test averse? I am currently homeschooling my 4th grader. He is tested daily (on spelling, English grammar, math facts, history facts...) and commits pretty much everything I teach him to memory. BUT it is not stressful to him. Today, he had to memorize a pronoun chart (subject, object, possessive, reflexive...). He said it was FUN. He's already halfway through Saxon 76. NO stress. Plays golf, plays soccer, plays board games, plays Pokemon, oil paints, plays piano, and TESTS TESTS TESTS. And gets a good night's sleep, and goes on dates with mom and dad, and has great friends. The thing that people worry about is SHAME, I think, that kids are advancing at different levels. The problem is that everyone judges everyone. Testing, done well, is not harmful at all. Judging, however, is. The key for a school that tests a lot is to also build up a child's understand of what it means to make progress instead of shooting for perfection. That understanding has to be cultivated both at home and in school in order for a child to be healthy. I am not arguing that Basis is going to do this well. I am saying that I disagree with all the parents out there who are anti-testing. Testing is best when done daily. You only need to know a limited set of foundational facts between 1st and 4th grade, completely do-able, every school ought to be providing this for their kids. Basis model is amazing because it TRULY is no child left behind in a sense that this model allows nobody to slip through the cracks missing any key concepts. Is is a gift for every child to have gone through school actually having the strong foundation of education. You can't build a house if foundations have cracks.

As a fellow homeschool parent who is interested in transitioning to BASIS, I don't think it's comparable. Testing with a parent is not the same as school. Well, at least not with my child. We "test" a lot, but this is a check-in process for him and me (not resultant in a grade). My child has gotten straight As since Kindergarten (yes, has been homeschooling since K). Our check-in tests are more an evaluation of what I'm doing than what he's doing -- if he's not getting something, it's 100% my fault. Also, we are able to homeschool with traditional text books (also using Saxon math) a couple times a week -- it's not every day. Many mid-day plans are only playdates with other kids. I don't think that is comparable to a 8-4 BASIS day (from what I've read).

I don't want to bash BASIS, because that's actually where I'm hoping to transition.

So the way I do testing at home is 100% accuracy testing, not a check-in process like you said. If I ask DS 10 questions and he knows 9, that's 90%. Whether or not I give him a grade doesn't change the fact (that he knows) he has 1 wrong. So, I don't think grades are that big of a deal, either. The question in front of us is... does testing stress kids out, and do grades stress kids out. I am sad to hear that many kids are stressed out. But it is not the grade NOR the testing that is putting the stress on kids, but unreasonable expectations. You can be very gentle with kids and have very reasonable expectations AND do the Basis model (I think). But the staff there will have to be very skilled at how to coach and motivate kids in a kid friendly way. I hope my kid will go to Basis next year. We are working on full problem sets every day. It really is just part of the routine. He gets done with his homeschool day by 1pm or 2pm but a lot gets done, and the "testing" I do is very exacting. Judging by how happy and giggly my child is, I feel strongly that rigor is completely acceptable when done right. I hope Basis elementary can provide that... but again, it takes skilled, kind and gentle teachers who have a great vision of what as strong education should look like.

[Anonymous]

Maybe. I went to a Waldorf school on a scholarship growing up, where testing wasn't really done. I attended an Ivy for college (on a Pell grant), and have a PhD from Johns Hopkins. There are many paths to Mecca.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe. I went to a Waldorf school on a scholarship growing up, where testing wasn't really done. I attended an Ivy for college (on a Pell grant), and have a PhD from Johns Hopkins. There are many paths to Mecca.

I'm jealous. I would love to provide this experience for my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not an 8-4 day --

Middle school is 8:45-4:00. Can't imagine K-4 day would be longer.

A homeschool day can look very different. The day can start with breakfast on the porch reading a newspaper, and then a walk to collect bugs. We may pack a picnic and then meet friends at the creek, where the have fun discussing Harry potter. The afternoon can be a trip to a the newest exhibit at a Smithsonian. We will finally get to "school" at 4 PM, so DF can be at the kitchen table while I make dinner and catch up on chores. In other words, the "school" stress is minimal because the school day is short. That's not always true but generally homeschooled students spend less time to get the work done. Your teacher is your parent so it's not stressful. Even if you get 60% on a test, you know you will pass the grade. The BASIS model is different and many students do not pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not an 8-4 day --

Middle school is 8:45-4:00. Can't imagine K-4 day would be longer.

A homeschool day can look very different. The day can start with breakfast on the porch reading a newspaper, and then a walk to collect bugs. We may pack a picnic and then meet friends at the creek, where the have fun discussing Harry potter. The afternoon can be a trip to a the newest exhibit at a Smithsonian. We will finally get to "school" at 4 PM, so DF can be at the kitchen table while I make dinner and catch up on chores. In other words, the "school" stress is minimal because the school day is short. That's not always true but generally homeschooled students spend less time to get the work done. Your teacher is your parent so it's not stressful. Even if you get 60% on a test, you know you will pass the grade. The BASIS model is different and many students do not pass.