Anonymous
Post 10/17/2012 00:18     Subject: Re:How's basis going so far?


I, for one, think that the founders of BASIS have every right to set the curriculum. That's what the charter law provides. If you would like a charter school with a humanities focus, you are free to start one.

The problem with BASIS isn't really BASIS. The problem is the lack of viable schools with alternative models that forces families to enroll in BASIS even though it is not really the right school for them.


You are essentially right here. I am writing nevertheless as a BASIS Tucson parent largely out of frustration/sadness at this fact, when I had hoped for so much more. I would still argue that parents have a limited right to have a voice in the development of a school community, and I encourage BASIS DC parents to organize to that effect.

I also write to warn parents that essentially the vision of the BASIS founders (sometimes stated up front, sometimes not so much) is to provide a niche school that caters 100% to "workaholics" (their term). Knowing this upfront is key. This basically means the accelerated (and continually accelerating) curriculum we have outlined in this thread, plus above all a focus on taking as many APs as possible. As a mom with and advanced degree and high hopes for a rich academic future for my child, I simply don't think the pure BASIS model is offers a healthy choice for gifted or hardworking students. Gifted students will do well but ultimately will find that AP tests alone really don't count for much on their own in terms of long term academic success. Hardworking students may do well or at least will survive, but the opportunity costs (extracurriculars, creative thinking, etc.) are in my opinion, now that I know, very steep indeed. Again, best of luck to you all!
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 21:48     Subject: Re:How's basis going so far?
If there are any parents of Basis students in Arizona or former/graduated students at Basis who are reading this forum or can be alerted to this forum, please feel free to post your experiences, both positive and negative. There are many readers with students at the school or who are considering the school who are eager to learn more about it from a different perspective.

PS-Please don't refer readers to the GreatSchools website, we have heard of it and know it is there.
PPS- We know that these are the experiences of random people because it is a forum.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 21:31     Subject: Re:How's basis going so far?
Dearth of honest discussion? Lots of actual BASIS parents have posted that their experiences with BASIS have been quite positive,, and that the model is one they like. And that's being treated as "dishonest"..

Meanwhile, other people who do did not attend BASIS DC and/or do not have students at BASIS DC, and who have their own anti-BASIS agenda are posting their own speculations and opinions without any direct knowledge or experience of their own, and then get mad and accuse the actual BASIS parents who are living it firsthand of dishonesty when they dare to disagree.


Um, not at all. Please cite specific posts where BASIS parents are being accused of dishonesty or are somehow oppressed by anyone. Go ahead. We'll wait.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 21:30     Subject: How's basis going so far?
Is there any info available on what Basis graduates have achieved or is it too soon?
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 21:17     Subject: How's basis going so far?
Dial back the drama, booster. No one called you a dishonest liar. Many posters here are raising legitimate concerns and talking points about BASIS. If you feel positive in your choice, you have no reason to be insulted or offended.

Let people have important discussions and debates about schools and stop trying to shut people down because or your insecurities.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 20:10     Subject: Re:How's basis going so far?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous
I find it astounding that there are several people here criticizing BASIS, even though they themselves clearly did not attend BASIS, clearly do not have children in BASIS, and who really have no real foundation or grounding for their criticisms.


The rest of us find it astounding that you would make such assumptions.


Please do everyone a favor and don't insult our intelligence. We're not naive, and we're not stupid. It's quite clear that there are a few troublemakers here who have an anti-BASIS agenda, who do not have kids there and who never had any intention of sending any kids there. And, for another thing, those of us who do have kids doing fine at BASIS are also quite insulted and offended at repeatedly being called dishonest liars. Just stop it already. You aren't fooling anyone here.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 19:42     Subject: Re:How's basis going so far?
Anonymous
I find it astounding that there are several people here criticizing BASIS, even though they themselves clearly did not attend BASIS, clearly do not have children in BASIS, and who really have no real foundation or grounding for their criticisms.


The rest of us find it astounding that you would make such assumptions.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 18:28     Subject: How's basis going so far?
Anonymous wrote:anyone who wants to stand here and argue that a student is not capable of behaving or learning math solely because of their race is full of horsecrap.

Ditto for socioeconomic status (SES). But kids have to adapt to a school unlike any they've been used to.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 18:23     Subject: How's basis going so far?
My main concern about Basis is that it seems very corporate. But so does private school. These folks work their butts off, so things are really shaping up. The picnic was great, nice relaxed time with teachers and the head of school. More of that would be great.
I love that it's small, organized, and near my office (which makes it almost like a neighborhood school.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 18:20     Subject: How's basis going so far?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Two grads out of hundreds. One or two unverified, anecdotal stories, and from that we are supposed to conclude that there is some big issue?

If there is any "tension",at BASIS DC, I'd anticipate that it comes from first-year startup issues (even a good thing can be stressful) and doesn't really have much to do with BASIS itself. You'd probably encounter a degree of stress and anxiety in the leadership at any charter, public or private school in it's first few weeks no matter how seasoned and experienced they are.

That suggestion of "tension" is however not reflected in GreatSchools reviews for the more established BASIS schools.


The big issue is a dearth of honest discussion about what BASIS + DC Charter have in mind for high school. We're in 5th hoping that a spot at a certain private will open up for 6th. Turns out that excessive emphasis on drill and looming racial politics of "culling" aren't our cup of tea. I sense tension furnished by parents grasping at straws. It's a pity because such a program would obviously work well as a GT program/math + science magnet. The lack of good alternatives doesn't bode well for BASIS DC. Too many of the wrong type of student for a great high school to be in the cards folks.


a.) the only area of "drill" is math, where it's all about mastery, and

b.) "looming racial politics of culling" is bunk as well. The only reasons anyone would be "culled" would be because they were expelled due to being violent or abusive to other students or in the classroom, or because they couldn't pass their comps, and anyone who wants to stand here and argue that a student is not capable of behaving or learning math solely because of their race is full of horsecrap.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 18:09     Subject: Re:How's basis going so far?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Oh Lord..Saxon? that 30 problems a night is...problematic. How about odds or evens? Pure volume does not for learning make....


What number of problems is your sweet spot? How much time should someone practice anything? (and it's only 5% of the grade so no harm no foul if the kid can skip it if he/she doesn't need the practice.) And what the heck is wrong with Algebra 1 in 7th grade? Little tykes have very agile brains. Let's trade, I'll give you 3 raisins (x) for two cheerios (y). Oh, you have eight cheerios? and so on.. Start at age four and see if the kid can't get Algebra in 7th grade. It's more fun and feels natural when you grow up with it. Saving algebra up until a kid is "ready" is just nonsense.


+100

I have seen ordinary elementary-school children master algebraic concepts like simplifying equations, cancelling terms out, and ultimately solving for 'x' via games like DragonBox. My kid loved it and played it for hours. http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/06/dragonbox/all/ It CAN be done.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 17:13     Subject: How's basis going so far?
Dearth of honest discussion? Lots of actual BASIS parents have posted that their experiences with BASIS have been quite positive,, and that the model is one they like. And that's being treated as "dishonest"..

Meanwhile, other people who do did not attend BASIS DC and/or do not have students at BASIS DC, and who have their own anti-BASIS agenda are posting their own speculations and opinions without any direct knowledge or experience of their own, and then get mad and accuse the actual BASIS parents who are living it firsthand of dishonesty when they dare to disagree.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 16:08     Subject: How's basis going so far?
Anonymous wrote:Two grads out of hundreds. One or two unverified, anecdotal stories, and from that we are supposed to conclude that there is some big issue?

If there is any "tension",at BASIS DC, I'd anticipate that it comes from first-year startup issues (even a good thing can be stressful) and doesn't really have much to do with BASIS itself. You'd probably encounter a degree of stress and anxiety in the leadership at any charter, public or private school in it's first few weeks no matter how seasoned and experienced they are.

That suggestion of "tension" is however not reflected in GreatSchools reviews for the more established BASIS schools.


The big issue is a dearth of honest discussion about what BASIS + DC Charter have in mind for high school. We're in 5th hoping that a spot at a certain private will open up for 6th. Turns out that excessive emphasis on drill and looming racial politics of "culling" aren't our cup of tea. I sense tension furnished by parents grasping at straws. It's a pity because such a program would obviously work well as a GT program/math + science magnet. The lack of good alternatives doesn't bode well for BASIS DC. Too many of the wrong type of student for a great high school to be in the cards folks.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 15:11     Subject: How's basis going so far?
Some people seem more interested in the pr aspects if this board than any real substance. Too bad.
Anonymous
Post 10/16/2012 14:49     Subject: How's basis going so far?
Two grads out of hundreds. One or two unverified, anecdotal stories, and from that we are supposed to conclude that there is some big issue?

If there is any "tension",at BASIS DC, I'd anticipate that it comes from first-year startup issues (even a good thing can be stressful) and doesn't really have much to do with BASIS itself. You'd probably encounter a degree of stress and anxiety in the leadership at any charter, public or private school in it's first few weeks no matter how seasoned and experienced they are.

That suggestion of "tension" is however not reflected in GreatSchools reviews for the more established BASIS schools.