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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think charters and more diverse school offerings are ultimately a good thing.  Yes, it divides the pie up a bit - but that in and of itself is not a bad thing.  Some kids may be a good fit for Yu Ying but not so good with Latin.  Some kids may be a good fit with Latin, but not so good with Yu Ying - and so on, and so on.  And it's not just charters, some kids are a good fit with DCPS but not as good a fit with the charters.

[b]As I see it, it's like pizza. [/b] Some kids like pepperoni, some don't.  Some like veggies, some just like it plain.  Some kids have a gluten allergy and can't a regular pizza.   And so on.   And many kids don't like anchovies.  So why keep putting nothing but anchovy pizza in front of them when you know full well that it won't work for many of them?[/quote]

The thing is, it doesn't matter how you see it.  The law requires public charter schools to educate all the students, not just the students they want.  When you get kids with disabilities?  You don't get to kick them out.  The law requires you to educate them according to their IEPs.[/quote]

You are right, PP.  Charter schools are required to comply with IDEA.  However, being too lazy to complete homework, attend tutoring sessions, and study for tests does not count as a disability under IDEA.  Neither does having attended a non-functioning elementary school.

Since so many posts in this thread have made assertions about "the law", I decided to read DC's School Reform Act myself and urge you to do the same. [url]http://www.dcpubliccharter.com/data/images/school%20reform%20act.pdf[/url]

On page 13, under section 38-1802-02. Contents of petition, you will find the following:

(5) A description of the plan for evaluating student academic achievement at the proposed school and the procedures for remedial action that will be used by the school when the academic achievement of a student falls below the expectations of the school;

So, under the law, a charter has the authority to set expectations for academic achievement, evaluate student academic achievement, and establish procedures for remedial action when a student fails to meet those expectations.

While I have not been able to obtain a copy of BASIS's charter petition, based on what I have read, it appears that that the expectation at BASIS as that, beginning in 6th grade, all students must pass comps in all core subjects.  The remedial action is summer school followed by another opportunity to take the comps in the fall.  If the student fails to meet the expectation a second time, the remedial action is retention.

The School Reform Act grants charters a great deal of authority.  They are exempt from any statutes, policies, rules and regulations established for DCPS by the DC government.  They have exclusive control over finances, administration, personnel and instructional methods.  There are some restrictions, of course.  They cannot charge tuition.  They also cannot be selective in their admissions policy under section 38-1802-06. Student admission, enrollment, and withdrawal:

(b) Criteria for admission -- A public charter school may not limit enrollment on the basis of a student's race, color, religion, national origin, language spoken, intellectual or athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, or status as a student with special needs.  A public charter school may limit enrollment to specific grade levels.

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