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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]To the pp talking about self-selection being a poor modus operandi for charter schools like Latin: I can understand if your criticism lies with poor teaching that leads to poor test scores. But to say that these public charters shouldn't accept kids who want to attend (and who win lottery seats) but are behind or just not academically gifted seems awful to me! Bass-ackwards! Sure the aggregate test scores will reflect lagging students, but is that really a reason to not send your academically average or above-average kid? The experience of attending these good schools is, and should be, open to all comers. And if you disagree, I'd like to know what you, yes you, plan to do to improve the neighborhood schools of the "unacceptable" children. This strikes me as the height of entitled, ignorant, and cold-hearted of attitudes. Love thy neighbor as thyself.[/quote]

Alternatives have been discussed here -

Social promotion:  NOT working, as kids are graduating from DCPS who are barely literate or capable of math.

Self-selection:  Sometimes works, sometimes doesn't - some schools do well with it, others do not.

Exam-based admission:  Works, but is highly exclusive and doesn't give kids who may have intellect, will and capability but who haven't had the proper preparation a chance.

Comprehensive exams:  A viable medium between self-selection/social promotion vs. exam-based, as incoming students are given a chance to try it rather than never having had a chance in the first place.  Incoming 5th graders at BASIS do not have comps, and won't until 6th grade.   But, throughout 5th and 6th grade, teachers and parents will have a good sense of where the student stands even before comps, so there's plenty of opportunity for the student to seek out tutoring or other remediation to get up to speed.  And, at 6th grade, if they don't pass the comps on the first try, they can study over the summer and have another shot at it at the end of summer.  That's a full 2 and a half years for them to get their acts together.  Incoming at 6th grade and above, it's a year and a half to get on track.  Beyond that, there's really not much excuse or grounds for complaining.[/quote]

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