"My suspicions were right about segregation at BASIS S DC"

Why are they right? Do you have some news, evidence?

My suspicions were right about segregation at BASIS S DC. My wife and other parents brought this matter to the Paul Morrissey ( then head of school) months ago. There were a group of students being tracked. Mr. Morrissey was evasive with our questions. His vagueness seemed suspicious to many of us. Was he tracking these kids so he would later throw them out? Our sixth sense told us something was not right here. I can't believe it was true. My kids were not in the group but I can't have my child in this kind of this environment. I was a strong supporter of BASIS but it's dwindled. After these revelations, I'm forced to question the real motives of the school. I can't believe it was happening here in DC. I'm outraged!!!

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Why the negativity against BASIS DC?. Here's why? They screwed with two things that rile people (a) their children and (b) their money


(b) BASIS DC screws with peoples money.

- BASIS DC misuses tax payer dollars by essentially giving rich white kids a private school education. Why is it ok that BASIS DC uses [b]the money, paid in taxes, from poor black families from Anacostia [/b]so rich white kids from NW can have a free education. What's worse many of these poor black kids made up the high attrition rate that BASIS DC experienced. They made it difficult for these kids to succeed. They set them up for failure, forced them to leave but pocketed the federal money they got for these kids.

They're spreading the misuse of tax payer dollars for rich white kids like Great Heart is doing in San Antonio. Choose to Succeed donated to Great Heart. But guess what? they also donated to BASIS to spread the white love in Texas
[/quote]

AA poster here. Would like to clarify that "poor black families in Anacostia" do not pay income taxes other than payroll taxes which goes to fund their Social Security. Not sure how many of these "poor" familes are paying property taxes. Education is only "free" for those that don't pay taxes. All kids whose parents actually pay tazes pay for public education for their kids and the poor kids who get the public education for "free."
[/quote]

They pay sales taxes on everything they purchase. [/quote]

Do you seriously think that poor families in this city are subsidizing the public school offerings for the higher SES families through their payment of sales taxes?

I think a lot of the "subsidizing" comes from singles and married couples with no kids. That is the nature of the taxation beast. If DC could actually fix this education problem all net payers would at least see a benefit through higher property values.


That said, I cannot believe this thread is still live.[/quote]

Property values are rising all over town. Housing and rental prices have been more than recession-proof; they've been the strongest in the U.S. This thread is still alive because trolls -- some of whom I suspect don't even have children or spouses -- have nothing to do and because Basis parents like myself continue to respond.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Just read thread about BASIS segregating classess? Can't believe someone can think its helpful. How aweful!!![/quote]

In this day and age, do you really think this is happening in the middle of Washington DC? BASIS organizes the classes based on ability as seen through grades/scores so that the students who refuse to learn their basic times tables aren't wasting time for the students who can do algebra. It's completely color-blind and fair to all. [/quote]

Actually, Basis is fair in mathematics placement. So fair in fact that the school will administer another round of diagnostic mathematics tests in August to place returning students in appropriate classes, providing second chances for all students regardless of how they did on the final comprehensive exams.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the negativity against BASIS DC?. Here's why? They screwed with two things that rile people (a) their children and (b) their money


(b) BASIS DC screws with peoples money.

- BASIS DC misuses tax payer dollars by essentially giving rich white kids a private school education. Why is it ok that BASIS DC uses the money, paid in taxes, from poor black families from Anacostia so rich white kids from NW can have a free education. What's worse many of these poor black kids made up the high attrition rate that BASIS DC experienced. They made it difficult for these kids to succeed. They set them up for failure, forced them to leave but pocketed the federal money they got for these kids.

They're spreading the misuse of tax payer dollars for rich white kids like Great Heart is doing in San Antonio. Choose to Succeed donated to Great Heart. But guess what? they also donated to BASIS to spread the white love in Texas

AA poster here. Would like to clarify that "poor black families in Anacostia" do not pay income taxes other than payroll taxes which goes to fund their Social Security. Not sure how many of these "poor" familes are paying property taxes. Education is only "free" for those that don't pay taxes. All kids whose parents actually pay tazes pay for public education for their kids and the poor kids who get the public education for "free."

They pay sales taxes on everything they purchase.

Do you seriously think that poor families in this city are subsidizing the public school offerings for the higher SES families through their payment of sales taxes?

I think a lot of the "subsidizing" comes from singles and married couples with no kids. That is the nature of the taxation beast. If DC could actually fix this education problem all net payers would at least see a benefit through higher property values.


That said, I cannot believe this thread is still live.

PP, that's not quite correct, as necessity items such as groceries, prescription and non-prescription drugs, and residential utility bills are exempt from DC sales tax, and even the 5c bag tax can be avoided by using reusable bags.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the negativity against BASIS DC?. Here's why? They screwed with two things that rile people (a) their children and (b) their money


(b) BASIS DC screws with peoples money.

- BASIS DC misuses tax payer dollars by essentially giving rich white kids a private school education. Why is it ok that BASIS DC uses the money, paid in taxes, from poor black families from Anacostia so rich white kids from NW can have a free education. What's worse many of these poor black kids made up the high attrition rate that BASIS DC experienced. They made it difficult for these kids to succeed. They set them up for failure, forced them to leave but pocketed the federal money they got for these kids.

They're spreading the misuse of tax payer dollars for rich white kids like Great Heart is doing in San Antonio. Choose to Succeed donated to Great Heart. But guess what? they also donated to BASIS to spread the white love in Texas

AA poster here. Would like to clarify that "poor black families in Anacostia" do not pay income taxes other than payroll taxes which goes to fund their Social Security. Not sure how many of these "poor" familes are paying property taxes. Education is only "free" for those that don't pay taxes. All kids whose parents actually pay tazes pay for public education for their kids and the poor kids who get the public education for "free."

They pay sales taxes on everything they purchase.

Anonymous wrote:Just read thread about BASIS segregating classess? Can't believe someone can think its helpful. How aweful!!!

In this day and age, do you really think this is happening in the middle of Washington DC? BASIS organizes the classes based on ability as seen through grades/scores so that the students who refuse to learn their basic times tables aren't wasting time for the students who can do algebra. It's completely color-blind and fair to all.

It would be awful if it were true, but it's not.

I'd challenge anyone out there to find a class at Basis that didn't have low-SES and AA kids in it. The claim has absolutely zero merit to it.

People also made the same wild claims about Two Rivers, Yu Ying and many other charters as well, and they were investigated and likewise those claims were found to have zero merit. It's nothing but anti-charter operatives making stuff up to try make trouble and sow doubt. No doubt they will be doing the same with Sela, DCI and others once they spin up as well.

And the poster who made that claim clearly isn't any true advocate of civil rights, since she also made the suggestion that Basis should go private. Go private and wall itself off? What nonsense. No true advocate of civil rights would be suggesting closing off access and taking educational opportunities away from the community - a true civil rights advocate would be welcoming the opportunity for kids to pursue schools like Basis.

Just read thread about BASIS segregating classess? Can't believe someone can think its helpful. How aweful!!!

[quote=Anonymous]Hi my kids are attending BASIS next year, and we are trying to get more info on the BOSS and STARS program. They also seem to not be doing the Arts program this year they did last year for kids who needed an aftercare option. They have already changed the dates and offerings twice, but since school needed for them early, no one has been able to answer my questions on whether it is worth it to take the stars program if the kids are going to miss a week of the program and if they will be having some buddy metro riding or activities option for kids who don't have parents picking them up in the afternoon. Anyone have some info about all this? Sending the kids to a 3 hour a day program when I have a little one at home and canceling our vacation to do so because the only stars program available conflicts with vacation is a LOT to do blind-I have written and called Abby and Caroline, the registrar and coordinator and have received no reply-help![/quote]

Basis sent a letter home last week that the school will be shut until 7/9, so you might not be able to reach anyone until that Monday. Sorry, and Good Luck!

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Parents don't believe their fluff about athletics unless you think a handful of children tossing a ball around constitutes an athletics program. Don't believe me.

Ask the school the following.

-What leagues did they compete in?
-How many members were in each sport?
-Where are the BASIS DC athletic uniforms?
-What pictures do they have showing kids competing in a number of sports?
-Where do they hold practices?
-What sport equipment do they have?
-Where are the athletic buses that transport players to and from practice and games?
- Where are practices and games held?
- Why do they charge over $150 per "athletic" student? What is this money used for?


[/quote]

What's your point? Seems you are looking to compare a huge wealthy suburban school district where their high school has a football stadium, baseball and other sports fields, and everything else with the typical small middle school charter in DC. Frankly, very few of the charters in DC offer or have robust athletic programs and facilities comparable to what you are looking for - and within the current paradigm likely won't anytime in the near future. DCPS has athletic facilities but does not make them available to charters, and funding for fancy athletic programs and facilities is not available to charters. But personally, I could care less - I'm not interested in sacrificing my kid's education just for sake of athletics, and we can make do with soccer, swimming and other programs. [/quote]

Ditto. A parent who's easily swayed by the glory of wins by school teams and who wants a football stadium, baseball and other sports fields can choose from various DCPS middle and high schools -- with widely varying academic results. A parent who wants a rigorous academic program can also readily find other venues for sports competition (e.g., DPR teams, Stoddert soccer or Sports on the Hill). IMHO, the poster concerned about Basis athletics really doesn't get the point of why parents send their kids to Basis at all.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Parents don't believe their fluff about athletics unless you think a handful of children tossing a ball around constitutes an athletics program. Don't believe me.

Ask the school the following.

-What leagues did they compete in?
-How many members were in each sport?
-Where are the BASIS DC athletic uniforms?
-What pictures do they have showing kids competing in a number of sports?
-Where do they hold practices?
-What sport equipment do they have?
-Where are the athletic buses that transport players to and from practice and games?
- Where are practices and games held?
- Why do they charge over $150 per "athletic" student? What is this money used for?

I on't think there's any fluff about athletics -- they currently don't have any. And we don't care. Iwould be perfectly happy if neither of my DCs ever see the inside of an "athletic bus". I can find them sports programs thoughout the area. I cannot find them high quality public education in DC. I do not send my children to school for athletics and do not want them to aspire to be pro athletes (and on't want the school to overly venerate athletes).


[/quote][/quote]
+1! In fact, I'll take it a step further to argue that tossing a ball around is exactly the point of athletics: exercise and teamwork. The other things: leagues, uniforms, competitions, equipment, transport, etc., are mostly to boosterize parents as a substitute for running around, tossing the ball, catching it and learning to work together as a team. Practices are held on the Mall, which posters who send their kids to Basis already know.

Anonymous wrote:Parents don't believe their fluff about athletics unless you think a handful of children tossing a ball around constitutes an athletics program. Don't believe me.

Ask the school the following.

-What leagues did they compete in?
-How many members were in each sport?
-Where are the BASIS DC athletic uniforms?
-What pictures do they have showing kids competing in a number of sports?
-Where do they hold practices?
-What sport equipment do they have?
-Where are the athletic buses that transport players to and from practice and games?
- Where are practices and games held?
- Why do they charge over $150 per "athletic" student? What is this money used for?

What's your point? Seems you are looking to compare a huge wealthy suburban school district where their high school has a football stadium, baseball and other sports fields, and everything else with the typical small middle school charter in DC. Frankly, very few of the charters in DC offer or have robust athletic programs and facilities comparable to what you are looking for - and within the current paradigm likely won't anytime in the near future. DCPS has athletic facilities but does not make them available to charters, and funding for fancy athletic programs and facilities is not available to charters. But personally, I could care less - I'm not interested in sacrificing my kid's education just for sake of athletics, and we can make do with soccer, swimming and other programs.

Anonymous wrote:Why the negativity against BASIS DC?. Here's why? They screwed with two things that rile people (a) their children and (b) their money


(b) BASIS DC screws with peoples money.

- BASIS DC misuses tax payer dollars by essentially giving rich white kids a private school education. Why is it ok that BASIS DC uses the money, paid in taxes, from poor black families from Anacostia so rich white kids from NW can have a free education. What's worse many of these poor black kids made up the high attrition rate that BASIS DC experienced. They made it difficult for these kids to succeed. They set them up for failure, forced them to leave but pocketed the federal money they got for these kids.

They're spreading the misuse of tax payer dollars for rich white kids like Great Heart is doing in San Antonio. Choose to Succeed donated to Great Heart. But guess what? they also donated to BASIS to spread the white love in Texas

AA poster here. Would like to clarify that "poor black families in Anacostia" do not pay income taxes other than payroll taxes which goes to fund their Social Security. Not sure how many of these "poor" familes are paying property taxes. Education is only "free" for those that don't pay taxes. All kids whose parents actually pay tazes pay for public education for their kids and the poor kids who get the public education for "free."