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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I’m not interested in Basis because I don’t like the math acceleration they have. I’m a HS teacher and in my opinion, very few kids are developmentally ready for precalculus in 8th grade. I don’t see the point of rushing through the K-12 curriculum just to accelerate kids. 
I 100% agree that DCPS, in general, does not challenge kids enough. But Basis is sort of the other extreme. Going slower and deeper with math and other subjects usually works better than pure acceleration. I’m sure some kids do well with the Basis model but it is not ideal for most kids [/quote]

BASIS has changed - it now is the case that only a few 8th graders are in precalculus.

Whether you think all 9th graders should be in precalculus is perhaps a different story. I'm not sure that's appropriate either.

Their math sequence really makes no sense to me. They cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry over two years and then spend two years on calculus (AB sophomore year and BC junior year). And then have kids take a math seminar senior year. I don't understand why they don't slow down Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry and then 'speed up' calculus by letting those who can take BC without having to take AB while others take both AB and BC.

We're at BASIS but it was with the assumption that we'd leave for HS but that plan didn't pan out.[/quote]

Also, don't assume that most BASIS kids are excelling in math; a lot of them do struggle despite some truly great math teachers at BASIS. By the time the kids need to take SAT/ACT/etc. their math instruction is so advanced that they mess up on the "more basic" math these tests target. The admin constantly talks about the need to organize math revision camps before major tests to improve math test scores. Acceleration works but only to an extent.[/quote]

Sounds like they are excelling in math but need more prep in dumbed-down math and test-taking skills for standardized tests.[/quote]

Your response does not make sense. If you have a strong math foundation, you should not need test taking skills for the math portion of the SAT. Yes, you need to do practice tests to gain speed and familiarity but you should not need test taking tricks. And basic math is way more useful than advanced math. How many people use calculus after college? Very few at the end of the day [/quote]

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