Anonymous
Post 08/06/2013 01:09     Subject: BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:
No, they aren't. BASIS has chosen to operate as it's own Local Education Authority. That makes them a school district. A small one, for sure, but no smaller than many districts in rural parts of this country. Like those small rural districts BASIS has an obligation to serve all the students who come through it's doors.


That is an important point, PP. Contrary to several inaccurate posts -- one from a self-proclaimed expert -- charter schools choose whether to be treated as an LEA for the purposes of IDEA. In other words, if a charter does not want to be treated as an LEA, it can opt out. The election to be treated as an LEA is usually made in the charter itself.

For reasons I don't quite understand, almost all charters elect to be treated as an LEA for purposes of IDEA. Perhaps they fear that their autonomy will be undermined if they were treated a member school of a "charter school LEA," e.g., they get stuck with the emotional and behavioral problems that another charter school in the "charter school LEA" couldn't handle and strategically classified as special ed.

In any event, if being its own LEA becomes overly burdensome for BASIS, I see no reason why BASIS could not amend its charter to be treated as part of the PCSB LEA.
Anonymous
Post 08/06/2013 00:55     Subject: Re:BASIS under federal investigation

No, that's not what was said. What part of "I don't think who's taking it up is relevant, that's just been a function of who people raised the complaint with" did you not comprehend? The feds were called, and are looking into it. So what? It's their job, it's what they are supposed to do. They would be doing the same if someone had called them about YY, TR, or for that matter DCPS.

All this hype, the "OMG, the feds are investigating" and the flurry of posts sounds desperate, as though someone has an axe to grind or something to gain through destruction. Ultimately, however, for any rational person, the main thing that matters is the outcome, and the best possible outcome is that if there were in fact any deficiencies, that they will be addressed.

Let whatever investigation take its course, and we'll learn more soon enough. Chill out, folks.


How about having the highest DC CAS reading scores among charters and being in the top 10 for math in its first year.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 22:39     Subject: Re:BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:

All this hype, the "OMG, the feds are investigating" and the flurry of posts sounds desperate, as though someone has an axe to grind or something to gain through destruction. Ultimately, however, for any rational person, the main thing that matters is the outcome, and the best possible outcome is that if there were in fact any deficiencies, that they will be addressed.

Let whatever investigation take its course, and we'll learn more soon enough. Chill out, folks.


I'll chime in here just to note: (a) this is a chat forum - posts flurry here by definition; and (b) what interests me most about all the BASIS threads on here is how often people that criticize BASIS or do anything but heap accolades on it, are accused by others, very aggressively, as having a secret agenda.

But you are right, internet chat rooms aside, what matters here is that any deficiencies will be addressed.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 22:14     Subject: BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I agree that all schools should not be forced to accommodate if they have special accelerated programs that cannot function with accommodations. IDEA gives you the right to an equal education in general, not at a specific school or program.

That said, if the Feds are investigating I bet they have some serious evidence. Like a document or witness discussing getting rid of IEP students.


But what you need to understand is that each charter school is its own "school system." And by law, each public school system MUST provide a free and appropriate education to its students whether or not they have an IEP. BASIS is a both a school AND a school system. Two Rivers is its own school system with a middle and lower school within. Latin is its own school system with one school within it. Capital City is its own school system with an upper, middle and lower school within it. And DCPS is a school system. It has many, many schools within it. Fairfax County Public Schools is a system that has about 200 schools in it. All of these public school systems have to provide for their students. If they can't, then they are responsible for contracting out to a school that can.

So no, it's not okay that BASIS as a school system accept public money and but not have to comply with the rules that every single school system has to comply with. If you don't want to teach students with special education needs, then become a private school and take no public funding. Or take the public funding and hire staff to provide the education. Or take the public funding and contract out to another school where the child can be educated.


Stop right there.

That statement is an utter and complete nonsense. They are most certainly NOT a "school system". They are PART of a school system - which includes DCPS and DC Public Charters. They are just one among dozens and dozens of schools in the system that any prospective student in DC can pick from, each having it's own strengths, weaknesses and specializations.


No, they aren't. BASIS has chosen to operate as it's own Local Education Authority. That makes them a school district. A small one, for sure, but no smaller than many districts in rural parts of this country. Like those small rural districts BASIS has an obligation to serve all the students who come through it's doors.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 21:58     Subject: Re:BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And (pp here) I take the very good point made above that, legally, BASIS is a public school district in itself. I still think functionally, however, that is not true. BASIS is just a school. Not that that will help in a court of law.


No, it's very true, and BASIS knows this. BASIS knows it's both a school system AND a school. Just like DCPS, just like Two Rivers, just like Latin, BASIS has to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by OSSE--the state superintendent of education for the District of Columbia. AND as a charter school, they have to comply with the rule of the DC Charter School board. BASIS has known all along that they are accountable as a school system.


TR and Latin haven't been fabulous at dealing with IEPs, either.


And you know this because??? And please define what it mean to not have been "fabulous." Do you mean that they are missing legally mandated deadlines? Not including appropriate signatures? Having meetings without due notification to parents? Using IEPs that are out of compliance? These were some of the charges again BASIS.

Or are you just throwing out something provocative based on gossip to see if it sticks to the wall? Remember, just because a parent doesn't like the way things are happening at a school does not mean the school was being improper with an IEP.
.


This. Please tell me what other schools have had the Feds investigate? Please tell me what other charters were "dogpiled." I am not sure how this is history repeating itself. TR was subject to a lawsuit by the crazy Cluster parents. Appletree had location problems. But those were all private-- never the Feds coming in. Besides closing schools with financial issues, when has the PCSB investigated a school?


Yu Ying


Agree, TR, YY and other complaints were also based on similar claims of discrimination and civil rights violations. I don't think who's taking it up is relevant, that's just been a function of who people raised the complaint with. It's been a pattern with every promising new charter that it's happened with.


So you are saying YY and TR had the Feds come in to investigate them? I call bullshit.


No, that's not what was said. What part of "I don't think who's taking it up is relevant, that's just been a function of who people raised the complaint with" did you not comprehend? The feds were called, and are looking into it. So what? It's their job, it's what they are supposed to do. They would be doing the same if someone had called them about YY, TR, or for that matter DCPS.

All this hype, the "OMG, the feds are investigating" and the flurry of posts sounds desperate, as though someone has an axe to grind or something to gain through destruction. Ultimately, however, for any rational person, the main thing that matters is the outcome, and the best possible outcome is that if there were in fact any deficiencies, that they will be addressed.

Let whatever investigation take its course, and we'll learn more soon enough. Chill out, folks.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 21:29     Subject: Re:BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And (pp here) I take the very good point made above that, legally, BASIS is a public school district in itself. I still think functionally, however, that is not true. BASIS is just a school. Not that that will help in a court of law.


No, it's very true, and BASIS knows this. BASIS knows it's both a school system AND a school. Just like DCPS, just like Two Rivers, just like Latin, BASIS has to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by OSSE--the state superintendent of education for the District of Columbia. AND as a charter school, they have to comply with the rule of the DC Charter School board. BASIS has known all along that they are accountable as a school system.


TR and Latin haven't been fabulous at dealing with IEPs, either.


And you know this because??? And please define what it mean to not have been "fabulous." Do you mean that they are missing legally mandated deadlines? Not including appropriate signatures? Having meetings without due notification to parents? Using IEPs that are out of compliance? These were some of the charges again BASIS.

Or are you just throwing out something provocative based on gossip to see if it sticks to the wall? Remember, just because a parent doesn't like the way things are happening at a school does not mean the school was being improper with an IEP.
.


This. Please tell me what other schools have had the Feds investigate? Please tell me what other charters were "dogpiled." I am not sure how this is history repeating itself. TR was subject to a lawsuit by the crazy Cluster parents. Appletree had location problems. But those were all private-- never the Feds coming in. Besides closing schools with financial issues, when has the PCSB investigated a school?


Yu Ying


Agree, TR, YY and other complaints were also based on similar claims of discrimination and civil rights violations. I don't think who's taking it up is relevant, that's just been a function of who people raised the complaint with. It's been a pattern with every promising new charter that it's happened with.


So you are saying YY and TR had the Feds come in to investigate them? I call bullshit.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 20:21     Subject: BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:Signatures? Notifications? Deadlines? Sounds to me like the majority of the "problem" at BASIS is with the paper chase. Sounds easily fixable.

Sheesh, from all the hype and hysteria around here, one would have thought they were duct taping SN kids to the wall and flogging them with wet cabbage leaves or something.

Guess I'll go find some other more salacious thread. This one's boring, you've spoiled all the fun.


+1

And, remember - this was just their first year of operation. I guarantee there's not one school in DC that had a perfect and flawless first year out. And, I think they are going to have a hard time proving there was discrimination or a more serious issue, given that there were other SN families who had a great year at BASIS.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 20:10     Subject: BASIS under federal investigation
SN parents are a pretty sophisticated bunch when it comes to compliance with FAPE. Lots of lawyers in DC. But as long as it makes the school improve... Not a bad thing in the long run.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 20:03     Subject: Re:BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And (pp here) I take the very good point made above that, legally, BASIS is a public school district in itself. I still think functionally, however, that is not true. BASIS is just a school. Not that that will help in a court of law.


No, it's very true, and BASIS knows this. BASIS knows it's both a school system AND a school. Just like DCPS, just like Two Rivers, just like Latin, BASIS has to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by OSSE--the state superintendent of education for the District of Columbia. AND as a charter school, they have to comply with the rule of the DC Charter School board. BASIS has known all along that they are accountable as a school system.


TR and Latin haven't been fabulous at dealing with IEPs, either.


And you know this because??? And please define what it mean to not have been "fabulous." Do you mean that they are missing legally mandated deadlines? Not including appropriate signatures? Having meetings without due notification to parents? Using IEPs that are out of compliance? These were some of the charges again BASIS.

Or are you just throwing out something provocative based on gossip to see if it sticks to the wall? Remember, just because a parent doesn't like the way things are happening at a school does not mean the school was being improper with an IEP.
.


This. Please tell me what other schools have had the Feds investigate? Please tell me what other charters were "dogpiled." I am not sure how this is history repeating itself. TR was subject to a lawsuit by the crazy Cluster parents. Appletree had location problems. But those were all private-- never the Feds coming in. Besides closing schools with financial issues, when has the PCSB investigated a school?


Yu Ying


Agree, TR, YY and other complaints were also based on similar claims of discrimination and civil rights violations. I don't think who's taking it up is relevant, that's just been a function of who people raised the complaint with. It's been a pattern with every promising new charter that it's happened with.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 19:57     Subject: BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I agree that all schools should not be forced to accommodate if they have special accelerated programs that cannot function with accommodations. IDEA gives you the right to an equal education in general, not at a specific school or program.

That said, if the Feds are investigating I bet they have some serious evidence. Like a document or witness discussing getting rid of IEP students.


But what you need to understand is that each charter school is its own "school system." And by law, each public school system MUST provide a free and appropriate education to its students whether or not they have an IEP. BASIS is a both a school AND a school system. Two Rivers is its own school system with a middle and lower school within. Latin is its own school system with one school within it. Capital City is its own school system with an upper, middle and lower school within it. And DCPS is a school system. It has many, many schools within it. Fairfax County Public Schools is a system that has about 200 schools in it. All of these public school systems have to provide for their students. If they can't, then they are responsible for contracting out to a school that can.

So no, it's not okay that BASIS as a school system accept public money and but not have to comply with the rules that every single school system has to comply with. If you don't want to teach students with special education needs, then become a private school and take no public funding. Or take the public funding and hire staff to provide the education. Or take the public funding and contract out to another school where the child can be educated.


Stop right there.

That statement is an utter and complete nonsense. They are most certainly NOT a "school system". They are PART of a school system - which includes DCPS and DC Public Charters. They are just one among dozens and dozens of schools in the system that any prospective student in DC can pick from, each having it's own strengths, weaknesses and specializations.


No, you need to stop right there. If you notice, I put "school system" in quotes because that's in essence how they operate. Actually the technical term is Local Education Authority. Each charter school is its own Local Education Authority (LEA). DCPS is one LEA. And each charter, regardless of how many schools are within that charter, is considered one LEA. That means that each LEA has to provide a free and appropriate education for its students for any student with an IEP. It doesn't matter if the child is in a tiny charter, a charter with 6 campuses or DCPS with over 50 campuses. If that LEA cannot provide the free and appropriate education at its campus or at one of its campuses, then it must make arrangements with another public or private school.

As for choosing which school, actually that depends on where one lives and a lottery. I can move right across the street from Latin, but that does not guarantee I can go there. And I can live in Dupont Circle, but that does not mean I get to attend Lafayette ES simply because I want to.


Pffft. Calm yourself down. Nobody here said anyone was exempt or suggested anyone should be exempt from IDEA.

But as for school choice, the beauty of charters is that if you live right across the street from Latin, you have an equal opportunity as someone living in Anacostia, Dupont Circle, Trinidad or wherever. You have an equal opportunity whether rich, poor, black, white or whatever. Just as you also have equal opportunity with a choice from among any of several dozen other schools. In a traditional public school model you have no such choice, if a given school sucks, you have no choice but to either put up and accept it or move, if you can afford to.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 19:53     Subject: BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:The new kid on the block gets all the scrutiny. Always the same story around DC, whenever a high-profile, promising new school opens, they get dogpiled, history repeating itself over and over again in this city, they certainly aren't the first charter to get this kind of attention. But, like the others that ran this same gauntlet, I have no worries that they will come out of it unscathed.

If anyone cares about equal protections under the law, then there's a whole bunch of other schools in the district that should be getting the same scrutiny, as opposed to just singling out the latest newcomer.

And if anyone is worried about equal protections under the law then why aren't ALL kids mandated the same protection?

Anyone have a coherent answer to that question? Or are we just so enamored with our flaky, lopsided system that we are too apathetic to bother ever changing anything?


B/c according to the Supreme Court you have to be a member of a "protected class" and simply being a kid isn't one of them.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 19:22     Subject: BASIS under federal investigation
^so maybe it's not so bad that BASIS gets a match lit under their ass.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 19:13     Subject: Re:BASIS under federal investigation
Yes now they great. But they had issue that have been resolved.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 18:46     Subject: Re:BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And (pp here) I take the very good point made above that, legally, BASIS is a public school district in itself. I still think functionally, however, that is not true. BASIS is just a school. Not that that will help in a court of law.


No, it's very true, and BASIS knows this. BASIS knows it's both a school system AND a school. Just like DCPS, just like Two Rivers, just like Latin, BASIS has to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by OSSE--the state superintendent of education for the District of Columbia. AND as a charter school, they have to comply with the rule of the DC Charter School board. BASIS has known all along that they are accountable as a school system.


TR and Latin haven't been fabulous at dealing with IEPs, either.


And you know this because??? And please define what it mean to not have been "fabulous." Do you mean that they are missing legally mandated deadlines? Not including appropriate signatures? Having meetings without due notification to parents? Using IEPs that are out of compliance? These were some of the charges again BASIS.

Or are you just throwing out something provocative based on gossip to see if it sticks to the wall? Remember, just because a parent doesn't like the way things are happening at a school does not mean the school was being improper with an IEP.
.


This. Please tell me what other schools have had the Feds investigate? Please tell me what other charters were "dogpiled." I am not sure how this is history repeating itself. TR was subject to a lawsuit by the crazy Cluster parents. Appletree had location problems. But those were all private-- never the Feds coming in. Besides closing schools with financial issues, when has the PCSB investigated a school?


Yu Ying


If they were and this is the first time I've heard of it, it worked. I have a SN kid w/IEP at YY and their SN services and supports are excellent.
Anonymous
Post 08/05/2013 18:05     Subject: Re:BASIS under federal investigation
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:And (pp here) I take the very good point made above that, legally, BASIS is a public school district in itself. I still think functionally, however, that is not true. BASIS is just a school. Not that that will help in a court of law.


No, it's very true, and BASIS knows this. BASIS knows it's both a school system AND a school. Just like DCPS, just like Two Rivers, just like Latin, BASIS has to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by OSSE--the state superintendent of education for the District of Columbia. AND as a charter school, they have to comply with the rule of the DC Charter School board. BASIS has known all along that they are accountable as a school system.


TR and Latin haven't been fabulous at dealing with IEPs, either.


And you know this because??? And please define what it mean to not have been "fabulous." Do you mean that they are missing legally mandated deadlines? Not including appropriate signatures? Having meetings without due notification to parents? Using IEPs that are out of compliance? These were some of the charges again BASIS.

Or are you just throwing out something provocative based on gossip to see if it sticks to the wall? Remember, just because a parent doesn't like the way things are happening at a school does not mean the school was being improper with an IEP.
.


This. Please tell me what other schools have had the Feds investigate? Please tell me what other charters were "dogpiled." I am not sure how this is history repeating itself. TR was subject to a lawsuit by the crazy Cluster parents. Appletree had location problems. But those were all private-- never the Feds coming in. Besides closing schools with financial issues, when has the PCSB investigated a school?


Yu Ying