Reply to BASIS DC to open in 2012-2013

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[quote=Anonymous][b]I wouldn't put it past groups of parents to hire science instructors (having seen this happen in my neighborhood to prep kids to take the Takoma Park MS math/science/computer magnet exam). [/b]

In fact, I refer to Capitol Hill families open to moving to Takoma Park if their kids are admitted to the MS math/science/computers magnet there (a kid need not have attended a Mo. Co. elementary school to apply).  These are families with math gifted kids concerned about the lack of merit-based MS options in DC.  A friend on the Stuyvesant admissions committee likes to say that the beauty of selective admissions programs is that they work to convince the affluent to stay in public schools in a way that open lotteries can't.  When well-off parents feel confident that the low-income kids in a public school or program won't lower standards for their own children, schools and poor kids accrue the benefit in a big way.  When a good many of these parents elect not to vote with their feet, poor kids gain a window to a world of opportunity through peers, often the catalyst motivating them to enter professions.  You can call the affluent names for hitting the road en masse, say to hell with them when they leave (a common enough reaction in DCPS), or address their concerns and cater to them in the interests of helping poor kids.  Many more affluent families would stick with Latin, Wilson and SWW, and try Banneker, for HS with greater assurance of quality control.  If Basis is going to graduate a few dozen kids from its HS, the effort will be laudable, particularly if top colleges indeed admit most graduates, but not terribly significant in the grand scheme of things.

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