Does FCPS GT use race/affirmative action? My child got in and is minority...

[Anonymous]

Did the poster post "not living or having kids in this area"?

[Anonymous]

Um no, I think PP in asking why the poster's so concerned and posting in the "Va Public Schools" Forum if poster is not living or have kids in this area. Original poster had a genuine question about her child with regard to AAP screening IN FCPS.

Let's tone down the emotion, OP had a real question!

Irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they do. Its called the "Young Scholars" Program and there's a box on the school submitted "screening summary sheet." This alerts the Committee that the child is in a special program to promote minority representation.

I don't think this is accurate. I think the Young Scholars program is at schools that are Title 1 type schools, but if the YS program is at an ES, then any child at that school can be deemed eligible for it. The child's race does not matter. My white child participated in the YS program at her Title 1 ES . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think they do. Its called the "Young Scholars" Program and there's a box on the school submitted "screening summary sheet." This alerts the Committee that the child is in a special program to promote minority representation.

I don't think this is accurate. I think the Young Scholars program is at schools that are Title 1 type schools, but if the YS program is at an ES, then any child at that school can be deemed eligible for it. The child's race does not matter. My white child participated in the YS program at her Title 1 ES . . .

Yes, this is correct - any child at the Young Scholars school can be deemed eligible.

http://www.fcps.edu/DIS/aap/column/columnyoungscholars.html

[Anonymous]

Getting back to the topic of this thread.

If the original poster really would like an honest assessment of whether or not her daughter was admitted based upon her race, then she should post her daughter's Cogat, Nagli., and GBRS scores. Also elaborate on the report card grades. Every poster on this site (see other threads on scores as well) is keenly aware of the scores needed to get in. These factors account for the majority of the application weighting. Given the comments about math skills and the overall reticence about her daughter's ability to handle the program, I would venture to guess that there are many rejected pool applicants who are now appealing who have stronger admission scores than her daughter. Of course I cannot definitively say this without seeing the scores, but given her description (including reference to a low GBRS), it sure sounds as though her daughter's race may have played a factor in her admission.

Our son's psychologist said there is a strong push to get more African American and Hispanic children into the program. If race were not a factor, then why would there be a box on the GBRS that identifies the child's race? There is no need for this even for "statistical tracking" purposes, because that data could be collected separately and not shown the to admission committees until all decisions were made.

If it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck...

[Anonymous]

To Original Poster, a big thing that might help your daughter math-wise in starting the Center is prepping her this summer on the Multiplication/Division math facts. They stressed that quite strongly in the orientation this week...have the entering students memorize the multiplication tables, and understand the division portion of the equations as well, as much as they can this summer to help them keep up when they start the Center. Since they'll be covering both 3rd & 4th grade math during their 3rd grade year, knowing the multiplication tables by memory will help them thrive rather than feeling overwhelmed.

I just ordered a particular type of multiplication/division flashcards that a current Center mom recommended: triangle flashcards. It has the numbers for the math equation on each of the 3 points. For example 2x7=14 shows 14 on the 1st tip, 2 on the 2nd tip and 7 on the 3rd tip. Then you can memory-drill them on not only on 7x2=14, but also what on 14/7=2, etc. It really helps reinforce the relationship between multiplication and division for them. I just ordered a set from Amazon.

Another thing they suggested on the math side for this summer is practicing addition & subtraction with more than 2 rows of numbers...ie. a column of numbers. And if practicing with 2 rows, having to carry/borrow multiple times to get the answer.

They suggested that doing this continually during the summer really should prep them well for keeping up in the fall, especially if Language Arts is their strong suit. And help make it rewarding rather than stressful. Makes sense to me!

[Anonymous]

Thanks all, 19:42, I will get those cards...

[Anonymous]

So did she get in because of her race?

[Anonymous]

Are you sure it wasn't the ethnic hook? Perhaps the urban hook? Maybe the zip code hook?

[Anonymous]

Yes the YS program is aimed at children who are deemed underprivileged and/or at risk of not receiving emersion at home. These decisions are based on race and/or income. Otherwise the child would be in the GT (or now the AAP) program. At least this is what the FCPS, YS program outline says. I was also told this by an elementary school teacher. However, I know for a fact the AAP Teacher at our school fudges the use of the YS program to get the children, she chooses, into services. This AAP program is very flawed for most of the kids deemed eligible. The smart children are being left behind and the AAP program needs very serious revisions (or maybe a serious house cleaning is more in order). Personally, I think it should be brought back into the GE schools so more kids are afforded the chance for advanced studies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think it should be brought back into the GE schools so more kids are afforded the chance for advanced studies.

The Centers should remain as they are. If the program was "brought back into the GE schools" it would then become one based on geography. Kids in schools that are NOT Wolftrap, Great Falls, Colvin Run, etc., would not have the benefits of a large peer group of academic peers.

[Anonymous]

My child is also hispanic (through his father) and did not get in to AAP, despite doing outstanding on one section of the WISC (though all over the place on the rest of the scores) and outstanding on his grades with GBRS of 11. So it doesn't look to me like they are using race/affirmative action.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is also hispanic (through his father) and did not get in to AAP, despite doing outstanding on one section of the WISC (though all over the place on the rest of the scores) and outstanding on his grades with GBRS of 11. So it doesn't look to me like they are using race/affirmative action.

[list]the YS program is aimed at children who are deemed underprivileged and/or at risk of not receiving emersion at home. These decisions are based on race and/or income.

[Anonymous]

To the OP:

My son got in the MCPS HGC program (similiar) in 4th grade. He had stellar math scores, and "average" for GT reading scores. I was worried about the writing, so I almost didn't send him- but I wanted him to have the math.

Now, 6 years later (high school) he is THRIVING in a regular program in the reading and writing, and his math is still great. He beefed up his writing/reading abilities when he saw he was no longer top of the pack. When others around you have higher standards, your standards go up as well. He will be an editor in chief on his high school paper next year. I misjudged that math was his strong area when he was younger- he just hadn't yet been challenged.

Send her. Worst case, if she is unhappy, you can pull her out. Even if they are profiling and cherry picking due to your daughters race, take it- it will counteract some of the racism she may face as she gets older from ignorant people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is also hispanic (through his father) and did not get in to AAP, despite doing outstanding on one section of the WISC (though all over the place on the rest of the scores) and outstanding on his grades with GBRS of 11. So it doesn't look to me like they are using race/affirmative action.

[list]the YS program is aimed at children who are deemed underprivileged and/or at risk of not receiving emersion at home. These decisions are based on race and/or income.

Young Scholars is administered at the local school level. AAP Center placement is administered at central office (Fairfax Ridge). Starting in fall 2010, all AARTs (not just those in the Young Scholars schools) were trained "to find and nurture gifted potential in young learners."