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[quote=Anonymous][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]

I think this post is naive and backward.  It's magical thinking to think that kids who are behind or not academically gifted will somehow by osmosis just catch up and perform as well as more academically gifted students if only they just sit in the same room.  To catch up, they would need intensive tutoring and remediation - but chances are, a combination of factors will keep that from happening - child doesn't want to go with that program, parents not willing to make the investment, and so on - and I say this because those factors probably already are contributing to the student being behind in the first place.  And, how is it suddenly the responsibility of the charters to fix failing DCPS schools?   Instead of being angry with charters, your anger should be directed at DCPS for failing.[/quote]

+1.  Non-BASIS, 7th grade parent here.  I've heard from three BASIS parents just after the grading period that their boys were all receiving bad grades C's - F's.  They are in 6 & 7th grades, and did okay in their previous DCPS/charter schools but weren't prepared for the rigor at BASIS.  Not every child is going to do well just because a school says they will, and the child really has to be self-motivated and self-directed in middle school.  It's no joke.  If you come unprepared without your "floaties," you could very well drown.  Two parents are already talking about taking their kids out before the next semester and the other hasn't decided but is taking away "fun" time until grades go up.  I think parents need to be VERY careful when choosing a school for their kids.  Not every school is going to be a good fit.  At a recent Walls open house, I loved what one student speaker said, "Walls may not be a perfect school, but it's the perfect school for me."  Really, really do your homework and research all the schools that are out there.  There are a number of options, and sometimes you have to be flexible to get into the best fit.   I graduated from Banneker not long after it became a high school and the lack of diversity then didn't bother me, and in fact, many of my peers left for ivy leagues schools which they later graduated from and they went on to have very successful careers - take Angela Alsobrooks, the states attorney for PG County.  But, I don't want that same experience for my son who is a different student than I was.  He's loves diversity amongst his peers and teachers and he loves having a variety of activities to participate in in and outside the school building.  I'm learning more and more of what he'd like in a high school and we're comparing and researching now.  It takes time and patience, but I'm sure we'll find the perfect fit.[/quote]

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