Reply to BASIS DCPCSB to open two PK3-5 campuses

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm a BASIS parent who is VERY HAPPY with the school.  I have found their to be LITTLE OR NO pressure (quiz every week but you can retake it so no big deal), LITTLE HOMEWORK (mostly 30-questions of math that take under 1 minute/question and fun reading), and LOTS of chances to make up work (extra credit, redo tests, etc).  My child was coming from a homeschool experience and did NOT take any tests, do any homework, or have any pressure before BASIS and is still doing great.

HOWEVER --

My gut reaction is to be really wary of a BASIS ES app for 3 reasons:

1.  It's a terrible model for elementary school (too much testing, too much expectation for organization, too much homework, and too much stress).

2.  It's a terrible fit for young kids (even a socially stable kid in 5th grade isn't going to be stable enough to handle this pressure in K, and a kid with any issues will become a timebomb).

3.  Depending on location, it will 100% change the BASIS demographic in the future.  Certain locations will be less diverse one way (higher SES) and then there will be NO room come 5th for kids who commute to the Chinatown location for kids from SE (lots commute from there now).  OR, it will ONLY get kids who aren't diverse another way (lower SES) and the school won't have the mix of higher SES.  I do NOT think SES-only matters, but I do think it's best for kids, adults, and communities when there is a good mix of high SES, low SES, mid SES, white/black/asian/hispanic/etc.

HOWEVER

I am hesitant to actually write all those ideas to the board because maybe this is a great school for some family and they really want it and I'll mess it all up for them by writing.[/quote]

I am also a BASIS parent and also am happy there (it works for us, doesn't work for everyone)  -- and DS will (at least that's the plan) join big sister next year.   Since I won't have any more kids in ES, the BASIS app for an amendment to their current charter doesn't apply directly to me (it doesn't seem like the ES will affect the MS/HS for us).   I also wouldn't write -- maybe there are parents that want this for their kids and I believe in choice.  BUT, my personal advice to close friends, family, and loved ones in DC is DO NOT CHOOSE THIS MODEL FOR ES.  There is almost nothing on creativity (even art projects are very specific), play-based learning, or unstructured time.  It is in exact contrast to everything that is being discovered about the best ways for the younger students to learn, thrive, and live.  Social-emotional intelligence is the key to having well-balanced children.  Having a kid re-do 1st grade over a test result seems like a sure-fire way to create life-long stresses, instability, and fear -- not a way to build up their confidence so they can succeed in a place like BASIS in the first place! [/quote]

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