Anonymous
05/05/2023 10:02
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why are they so confident?
Are they going to make kids repeat grades, so each class will have some older kids in it?
I hope so. That's one of the things I like about the school. Disruptive kids who can't hack it don't continue to disrupt.
Having kids repeat grades doesn’t work. If a kid doesn’t understand the academics in a particular grade, they need specialized intervention. Just the kid sit through the same content twice won’t do a thing. Additionally, kids who are retained are more likely to drop out since they legally can on their 18th birthday. That’s why schools don’t do it anymore.
I. Don't. Care. I am sick of people like you arguing that kids like this should tear down an entire class, school and system. I think there are a whole lot more people like me who are done sitting on the sidelines watching a vocal minority argue that the majority of well meaning, hard working kids should suffer because of some liberal guilt or misplaced belief that "equity" means hurting the masses in furtherance of a few. Your failed policies predominantly hurt kids of color. They are the ones without options who are forced to attend schools with disruptive a-holes. Your interest in equity extends only as far as a bumper sticker. You are fine hurting all the other kids in those classes who want to learn in order to burnish your equity bona fides.
You (like so many others who chime in here) also present a false choice. As if the only options are social promotion or drop outs. If kids can't or won't hack it in traditional schools then there should be trade schools and non-traditional schools to divert them to. Your holy grail of social promotion through 12th grade is intellectually dishonest. Congrats, SJW! You have successfully created a system where hundreds (thousands?) of kids "graduate" from DCPS schools with 6th or 8th grade level math and and English skills and without having learned a trade. Now what? You think those kids are going to be able to get and keep jobs? You think they are going to show up and do the work at 18 because you gave them a fake diploma?
These are hard and serious issues and there are no easy solutions. People like you who dismiss alternatives and pretend like there is only one answer are part of the problem. You stifle open and honest discussion and lose sight of what and who you are actually seeking to help. Your policies are failing. All the high minded peer reviewed hogwash in the world won't change that.
It's sad that you don't care. Personally, I care about all the kids, and I also care that their rights under IDEA are observed, including the right to services and the right to the least restrictive placement. It seems you feel BASIS cannot comply with IDEA? Or that the staff at BASIS cannot maintain orderly classrooms? Sorry to hear it.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 10:00
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why are they so confident?
Are they going to make kids repeat grades, so each class will have some older kids in it?
I hope so. That's one of the things I like about the school. Disruptive kids who can't hack it don't continue to disrupt.
Having kids repeat grades doesn’t work. If a kid doesn’t understand the academics in a particular grade, they need specialized intervention. Just the kid sit through the same content twice won’t do a thing. Additionally, kids who are retained are more likely to drop out since they legally can on their 18th birthday. That’s why schools don’t do it anymore.
Works great for me and my kids. My kids' classes are filled with kids at or above grade level, and disruptive kids who want attention instead of to learn feel uncomfortable in an environment where academic success is prioritized and rewarded.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:57
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Will they need a new campus?
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:55
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why are they so confident?
Are they going to make kids repeat grades, so each class will have some older kids in it?
I hope so. That's one of the things I like about the school. Disruptive kids who can't hack it don't continue to disrupt.
Having kids repeat grades doesn’t work. If a kid doesn’t understand the academics in a particular grade, they need specialized intervention. Just the kid sit through the same content twice won’t do a thing. Additionally, kids who are retained are more likely to drop out since they legally can on their 18th birthday. That’s why schools don’t do it anymore.
I. Don't. Care. I am sick of people like you arguing that kids like this should tear down an entire class, school and system. I think there are a whole lot more people like me who are done sitting on the sidelines watching a vocal minority argue that the majority of well meaning, hard working kids should suffer because of some liberal guilt or misplaced belief that "equity" means hurting the masses in furtherance of a few. Your failed policies predominantly hurt kids of color. They are the ones without options who are forced to attend schools with disruptive a-holes. Your interest in equity extends only as far as a bumper sticker. You are fine hurting all the other kids in those classes who want to learn in order to burnish your equity bona fides.
You (like so many others who chime in here) also present a false choice. As if the only options are social promotion or drop outs. If kids can't or won't hack it in traditional schools then there should be trade schools and non-traditional schools to divert them to. Your holy grail of social promotion through 12th grade is intellectually dishonest. Congrats, SJW! You have successfully created a system where hundreds (thousands?) of kids "graduate" from DCPS schools with 6th or 8th grade level math and and English skills and without having learned a trade. Now what? You think those kids are going to be able to get and keep jobs? You think they are going to show up and do the work at 18 because you gave them a fake diploma?
These are hard and serious issues and there are no easy solutions. People like you who dismiss alternatives and pretend like there is only one answer are part of the problem. You stifle open and honest discussion and lose sight of what and who you are actually seeking to help. Your policies are failing. All the high minded peer reviewed hogwash in the world won't change that.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:49
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
^^ Sorry, the above post was really responding to the PP before the one quoted.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:46
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I wish they would open up a second middle/high school instead because there are plenty of good elementary schools in DC already and a shortage of good middle and high school options. Also, the BASIS HOS mentioned the second school could potentially share outdoor space and a gym with the current school which would be amazing regardless but more ideal with students similarly aged.
Another thought: With a BASIS elementary school feeding into the middle/high school eventually, it seems eventually less Capitol Hill families would be at BASIS because they have great convenient elementary options already…
This. Hill families, your middle school seats are threatened!
This is a very real issue. Enrollment data shows us that Brent, Maurey and Watkins send a TON of kids to BASIS. There won't be 135 5th grade seats to fill of they are only backfilling from 4th grade BASIS kids. Will those Hill families choose BASIS in K instead of Brent, etc.? If BASIS had a good or great physical space for ES, does that change the answer? If they don't choose BASIS, what does the demographic of BASIS look like without all those white UMC families? Are there enough kids who can hack it at BASIS to fill those spots if the Hill school populations aren't filling them? Could this help the Hill MS to improve without the brain drain? Would people think twice about living on the Hill without the BASIS school safety valve?
I am asking these questions, but I would note that BASIS is not responsible for or to the CH schools. The CH families may think BASIS is "theirs" but it isn't.
This, exactly. Is BASIS really that great, or is it a meh school whose "success" is the result of demographics and of their social promotion policy (and don't forget, shirking on taking kids after 5th like other schools do).
I think this is a very interesting question. My guess is that most Brent/Maury/LT families will not move their kids to BASIS for K just to lock in 5th. They'll already have been at their local ES for 1-2 years and they'll by-and-large have had good experiences, because those schools are good. The kind of families who stick out the Hill are the kind of families who don't prioritize locking in a middle school (or they'd move to NW/Deal/Hardy). BASIS is close, but not close enough to be neighborhood-y for K-4; kids are very different by 5th. Also UMC Hill parents are by and large super involved in the Hill ESes and I just can't see BASIS allowing that, which I think would frustrate those parents. (I think Watkins could cut a bit differently. Families already have to move from Peabody to Watkins in 1st and as UMC families are increasingly reluctant to do that, I think those families might cut out for BASIS in K instead in higher numbers.)
If Brent/Maury/LT shared a middle school, I actually think this could have a positive effect on the local MS almost immediately... since they don't, it'll be a small trickle. SH could be the most affected the most immediately, since LT & Watkins both feed there and not all Watkins kids will bail, even if in larger numbers. I wonder what percentage of slots they'll hold for MS? At first it's going to be all sibling preference and newbies will be shut out entirely unless that percentage is huge. Middle school entry will get even crazier if this is approved.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:44
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I wish they would open up a second middle/high school instead because there are plenty of good elementary schools in DC already and a shortage of good middle and high school options. Also, the BASIS HOS mentioned the second school could potentially share outdoor space and a gym with the current school which would be amazing regardless but more ideal with students similarly aged.
Another thought: With a BASIS elementary school feeding into the middle/high school eventually, it seems eventually less Capitol Hill families would be at BASIS because they have great convenient elementary options already…
This. Hill families, your middle school seats are threatened!
This is a very real issue. Enrollment data shows us that Brent, Maurey and Watkins send a TON of kids to BASIS. There won't be 135 5th grade seats to fill of they are only backfilling from 4th grade BASIS kids. Will those Hill families choose BASIS in K instead of Brent, etc.? If BASIS had a good or great physical space for ES, does that change the answer? If they don't choose BASIS, what does the demographic of BASIS look like without all those white UMC families? Are there enough kids who can hack it at BASIS to fill those spots if the Hill school populations aren't filling them? Could this help the Hill MS to improve without the brain drain? Would people think twice about living on the Hill without the BASIS school safety valve?
I am asking these questions, but I would note that BASIS is not responsible for or to the CH schools. The CH families may think BASIS is "theirs" but it isn't.
This, exactly. Is BASIS really that great, or is it a meh school whose "success" is the result of demographics and of their social promotion policy (and don't forget, shirking on taking kids after 5th like other schools do).
Whoa there, sister. I am PP to whom you are responding and you are soooooooo missing the point. You and I are not aligned on this at all. You arrived with your white savior complex and said the quiet part out loud: BASIS isn't great, only the UMC white folks make it so. The problem with your line of thinking is that BASIS operates schools all over the US and, guess what? They are successful even without white Jesus saving the day.
Also, why "success" in quotes? Pick a side. You are at once minimizing its successful outcomes while arguing that those successes require UMC white CH families. Which one is it?
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:37
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are they planning to offer that is in any way innovative, interesting, or different? Other than a willingness to push out low performers, of course.
They really dont push out the lowest performers - they dont help the bright kids excel and spend all of their effort dragging the kids who are behind. it would be a better place if they let more of the weaker kids go to different schools
Huh? They already "let" kids go to whatever school they want. BASIS can't stop them. It's a question of whether BASIS is going to require low performers to repeat grades, even if it's socially and developmentally inappropriate, as a way of motivating low performers to leave the school.
Why are you so confident this is some conspiracy to force kids out? Have you for even a moment considered that BASIS simply thinks that you should have to show mastery of material before you progress to the next grade/material? This is a matter of perspective. You believe that schools should cater to the bottom of the class and make all other kids suffer to show a commitment to "equity". Many parents believe that high expectations should be set and performance should meet those expectations. If that's not you then don't choose BASIS and for darn sure leave before you drown.
Wow, so rude. I do not believe those things. But I do not believe academic retention is appropriate for elementary-age students, I think it fails to meet their developmental needs, and is also bad for their classmates. Do you really want an 8 or 9 year old Kindergarten with your kid? And I'm asking whether it's even legal to do that under IDEA.
This is the boogeyman you and your kind always trot out. It is a false choice. If a 9 year old really can't pass K requirements then that kid needs specialized help and no regular classroom is going to solve their issues. You know that, and yet you use this line every time the topic comes up.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:37
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I wish they would open up a second middle/high school instead because there are plenty of good elementary schools in DC already and a shortage of good middle and high school options. Also, the BASIS HOS mentioned the second school could potentially share outdoor space and a gym with the current school which would be amazing regardless but more ideal with students similarly aged.
Another thought: With a BASIS elementary school feeding into the middle/high school eventually, it seems eventually less Capitol Hill families would be at BASIS because they have great convenient elementary options already…
This. Hill families, your middle school seats are threatened!
This is a very real issue. Enrollment data shows us that Brent, Maurey and Watkins send a TON of kids to BASIS. There won't be 135 5th grade seats to fill of they are only backfilling from 4th grade BASIS kids. Will those Hill families choose BASIS in K instead of Brent, etc.? If BASIS had a good or great physical space for ES, does that change the answer? If they don't choose BASIS, what does the demographic of BASIS look like without all those white UMC families? Are there enough kids who can hack it at BASIS to fill those spots if the Hill school populations aren't filling them? Could this help the Hill MS to improve without the brain drain? Would people think twice about living on the Hill without the BASIS school safety valve?
I am asking these questions, but I would note that BASIS is not responsible for or to the CH schools. The CH families may think BASIS is "theirs" but it isn't.
This, exactly. Is BASIS really that great, or is it a meh school whose "success" is the result of demographics and of their social promotion policy (and don't forget, shirking on taking kids after 5th like other schools do).
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:35
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I wish they would open up a second middle/high school instead because there are plenty of good elementary schools in DC already and a shortage of good middle and high school options. Also, the BASIS HOS mentioned the second school could potentially share outdoor space and a gym with the current school which would be amazing regardless but more ideal with students similarly aged.
Another thought: With a BASIS elementary school feeding into the middle/high school eventually, it seems eventually less Capitol Hill families would be at BASIS because they have great convenient elementary options already…
This. Hill families, your middle school seats are threatened!
This is a very real issue. Enrollment data shows us that Brent, Maurey and Watkins send a TON of kids to BASIS. There won't be 135 5th grade seats to fill of they are only backfilling from 4th grade BASIS kids. Will those Hill families choose BASIS in K instead of Brent, etc.? If BASIS had a good or great physical space for ES, does that change the answer? If they don't choose BASIS, what does the demographic of BASIS look like without all those white UMC families? Are there enough kids who can hack it at BASIS to fill those spots if the Hill school populations aren't filling them? Could this help the Hill MS to improve without the brain drain? Would people think twice about living on the Hill without the BASIS school safety valve?
I am asking these questions, but I would note that BASIS is not responsible for or to the CH schools. The CH families may think BASIS is "theirs" but it isn't.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:34
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why are they so confident?
Are they going to make kids repeat grades, so each class will have some older kids in it?
I hope so. That's one of the things I like about the school. Disruptive kids who can't hack it don't continue to disrupt.
Having kids repeat grades doesn’t work. If a kid doesn’t understand the academics in a particular grade, they need specialized intervention. Just the kid sit through the same content twice won’t do a thing. Additionally, kids who are retained are more likely to drop out since they legally can on their 18th birthday. That’s why schools don’t do it anymore.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:28
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why are they so confident?
Are they going to make kids repeat grades, so each class will have some older kids in it?
I hope so. That's one of the things I like about the school. Disruptive kids who can't hack it don't continue to disrupt.
So you like having much-older kids in your kid's classroom? Or is this more like you want a school that doesn't comply with IDEA?
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:28
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:What are they planning to offer that is in any way innovative, interesting, or different? Other than a willingness to push out low performers, of course.
They really dont push out the lowest performers - they dont help the bright kids excel and spend all of their effort dragging the kids who are behind. it would be a better place if they let more of the weaker kids go to different schools
Huh? They already "let" kids go to whatever school they want. BASIS can't stop them. It's a question of whether BASIS is going to require low performers to repeat grades, even if it's socially and developmentally inappropriate, as a way of motivating low performers to leave the school.
Why are you so confident this is some conspiracy to force kids out? Have you for even a moment considered that BASIS simply thinks that you should have to show mastery of material before you progress to the next grade/material? This is a matter of perspective. You believe that schools should cater to the bottom of the class and make all other kids suffer to show a commitment to "equity". Many parents believe that high expectations should be set and performance should meet those expectations. If that's not you then don't choose BASIS and for darn sure leave before you drown.
Wow, so rude. I do not believe those things. But I do not believe academic retention is appropriate for elementary-age students, I think it fails to meet their developmental needs, and is also bad for their classmates. Do you really want an 8 or 9 year old Kindergarten with your kid? And I'm asking whether it's even legal to do that under IDEA.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:14
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:Why are they so confident?
Are they going to make kids repeat grades, so each class will have some older kids in it?
I hope so. That's one of the things I like about the school. Disruptive kids who can't hack it don't continue to disrupt.
Anonymous
05/05/2023 09:11
Subject: BASIS DC will seek to expand to include K to 4th grade
Anonymous wrote:I wish they would open up a second middle/high school instead because there are plenty of good elementary schools in DC already and a shortage of good middle and high school options. Also, the BASIS HOS mentioned the second school could potentially share outdoor space and a gym with the current school which would be amazing regardless but more ideal with students similarly aged.
Another thought: With a BASIS elementary school feeding into the middle/high school eventually, it seems eventually less Capitol Hill families would be at BASIS because they have great convenient elementary options already…
This. Hill families, your middle school seats are threatened!