Local level IV often not even considered

[Anonymous]

I find it sad that so many from our school don't even consider staying for Level IV at our school. There is a dedicated local level IV class with a really good 3rd and 4th grade teacher - the 4th grade teacher is the best teacher I have ever come across. (Unfortunately there has been turnover with 5th and 6th over the last few years.)

Many kids from our school are found eligible for level IV services every year - it was 29 (prior to appeals) two years ago and I believe close to 40 last year. Yet when it comes to the orientation, certain communities only go for the center orientation and don't even consider staying at our base school. This is a great school and their children really enjoy it from K-2. It's prior Principal was even the Principal of the Year. Honestly, with so many kids qualifying, there really is no need to go to the Center. This school does really good work in its Level IV classrooms - I have compared with another center and our PTA President has brought many new extracurricular activities to our school. As a result of the deluge into the center, the center is 120 kids overpopulated this year.

I am from one of the above mentioned communities. It is sad that people don't even want to give our school a chance once their kids get into AAP. (DC stayed at base and one woman rolled her eyes when I told her that was the plan.) Perhaps schools that do have local level IV's shouldn't have the choice of leaving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from one of the above mentioned communities. It is sad that people don't even want to give our school a chance once their kids get into AAP. (DC stayed at base and one woman rolled her eyes when I told her that was the plan.) Perhaps schools that do have local level IV's shouldn't have the choice of leaving?

I am absolutely opposed to such an idea. FCPS facilities staff tried to "force" that several years ago by recommending that transportation no longer be provided for Level IV Center eligible students that had local Level IV at the base school.

As has already been posted in multiple threads here, there is a difference between the services at a Level IV Center as compared to a school with Local Level IV services. The intent of Local Level IV is to offer the intended curriculum to more students (e.g., those students that are NOT Level IV Center eligible but are high performing students in one or more subject areas) AND to offer a choice to those Level IV Center eligible students/families that do not wish to leave their base school.

[Anonymous]

I am from the same community and I beg to differ. The local level IV services are NOT intended ONLY for more students who are NOT center eligible. It is because all the eligible students choose to go to the center that the school is forced to fill it up with other high performing students. Perhaps schools that do have local level IVs should be allowed to send in only top 5 % to the center and not all that qualify.

[Anonymous]

I am so glad we get a choice! My DS is in 3rd grade and there were five students found Center eligible in all of the 2nd grade classes. One of the students stayed at the base school and DS and three friends went to the Center for 3rd grade. DS is so happy at the Center and has made so many new friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The local level IV services are NOT intended ONLY for more students who are NOT center eligible.

Local Level IV Services provide an important option for advanced learners who need the challenge of a full-time AAP center curriculum and do not want to leave their local school. They also provide another avenue of access for advanced academic services to students who may need to practice and strengthen their basic skills but have the capacity to think, reason, and problem solve at advanced levels.

Source:
http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/faqs/esfaqs.shtml

[Anonymous]

I think Colin Powell is great school. I wish FCPS considers making it AAP center. I thought GBW (center) is space challenged after attending orientation.

I hope CPES becomes AAP center in coming years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Colin Powell is great school. I wish FCPS considers making it AAP center. I thought GBW (center) is space challenged after attending orientation.

I hope CPES becomes AAP center in coming years.

This could happen but only if the school wanted it and pursued it. Part of the issue maybe that the school does not try very hard to keep it's level IV students.

[Anonymous]

It's too bad that more kids don't stay if you have good teachers - the only way the program can grow is if kids stay!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's too bad that more kids don't stay if you have good teachers - the only way the program can grow is if kids stay!

I think it depends on the number of kids. A successful Level IV program (local or Center) needs critical mass. Five kids that are Center eligible staying at a base school does not make a successful program, no matter how great the teacher might be.