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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I suspect the reason for the strong language in this Basis debate is the worry about our kids, not so much antipathy toward those who disagree.  It's so hard to divine what's the best way to parent.  Even the dad whose son won't speak to him because he was pushed too hard...of course that dad thought he was doing the right thing.  Likewise the parents who let the child take full ownership whose kid just skips homework.  And put all those parents in the same school and you get some serious defensiveness and smugness.  But in fact we just don't know.  And, as if academic philosophies weren't enough, there's the social stuff.  
That's why it's tough to get a calm discussion going here.  I've tried, with innocuous posts seeking views about teachers, the picnic, the AP's, homework load, classroom behavior and other topics that go to 'how's Basis going so far?'.  These posts fell flat, because they didn't tap into the fundamental question, is basis the 'answer' for my kid.   For me the jury is out and that stresses me out a lot.  [/quote]\

But rest assured that family support and concern is the number 1 factor in childhood success (academic or otherwise)! That is the key to success (or survival) at BASIS or a failing local public school. My specific concern as a BASIS tucson parent is in addressing some core concerns at what is otherwise an excellent institution (because of the kids and teachers). I also wish to give DC parents a heads up / insight into the BASIS corporation / mind of Olga Block, since it is a new thing for you.

Originally the BASIS recipe was simple... get the best teachers in a crappy building and foster a culture of quirky excellence while also offering challenging classes including a healthy dose of APs (i.e., fostering both academic achievement AND individual creativity / love of learning for its own sake). Now, however, the recipe has changed due I think to the hubris of the founders and the desire to standardize and replicate the recipe nationwide. At BASIS tucson the recipe now keeps the teachers (although subjects them to increasing burdens and hardships with no raises or empowerment) but is raising the academic courseload well beyond what the teachers independently (and working holistically as an educational community) would do. My feeling is that many at our campus remain due to lack of alternatives, but deal everyday with the psychological impact on the kids and the lack of necessary experiences beyond study/test/study. So that is where I think again just at the Tucson campus the parents need to organize and push back somewhat using their purchasing power as leverage (if in fact a substantial number of parents are at BASIS due to lack of alternatives and want some changes made to the current BASIS model). Mostly this is just my therapy. If any of it is of any use to you guys, great.

PS You know how Finland is often touted as a model of education... they don't allow private schools. Single most awesome innovation that Americans would never tolerate. I bet DC schools would improve significantly if Sasha and Malia had to attend![/quote]

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