Why do parents go through great lengths to get their children into AAP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There really should be a middle track for average/above average kids without behavior issues.

That's called gen ed.

NP no way. Gen ed is filled with behavior issues.

The kids with the worst behaviors are in self-contained classes. Gen ed is the middle group.

No way. No teacher can handle that. Each class is selected to have a mix of different types of kids.

PP is right. Self-contained classes are different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do that many people really go to great lengths, or is it a DCUM thing?

I think it could depend on the area. Some parents are more competitive than others. I had a neighbor pass me down a huge stack of worksheets and workbooks she used to prepare her child. I have a friend who is older and she stressed the importance. She said to fight it if my child didn’t get in. I also have talked to numerous parents who have gotten tutors for their children while in elementary school ( and their students were already performing well). I also know numerous parents that can care less.

In my current neighborhood people move here specifically for the schools. We have the top schools in the state. However, I’ve found it really depends on the teacher. My daughter had a new teacher that was horrible. She even told the parents that she applied and got the job so here she is. She didn’t seem to have a real interest in teaching. She would come to school and tell the kids she was too tired to teach today and would pop on a movie or let them play games.

I was in a similar program. The schools weren’t that great. I was able to thrive by being with like minded students.

It's a travesty that AAP demographics do not reflect the County demographics for blacks and Hispanic students. If TJ is headed in that direction, AAP certainly should make more progress or just have one system.

This is why I think AAP should be open to all. If you can keep up and make an A/B in the course, you get to stay. I feel like no one is pushing gen-ed kids to do better.

Many of the kids in Gen Ed are challenged by the curriculum. I have friends who have kids who are nervous for Algebra in 9th grade because they have struggled with math. I have friends whose kids are the same age as mine but they are struggling with the Gen Ed material. My kid has class mates who struggle with multi-digit addition. He has classmates who have not passed the multiplication test.

Just because people in this forum think the curriculum is easy doesn't make it so. The curriculum is just right for lots of the kids in Gen Ed, challenging for a good number, and hard for others.

There are always those kids who are on the borderline for AAP or needing services that struggle in the class. The kids on the higher end need something more but don't quite fit the criteria (whatever that is) for AAP and the kids on the lower end are struggling to get services that they need (Check the special needs forum for the awful stories). But Gen Ed tends to be a good fit for many kids. Those of you trying to get away from the Gen Ed kids are going to end up with a decent number in your child's classes in high school and some of them are going to do better then our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To keep my kids out of the general population and with kids whose families at least moderately care about academics and future success.

This is the only true response. AAP has nothing to do with instructional curriculum. Nothing special. Teachers teach up or down to the students. The average AAP is just that, "average" by any other designation or qualification.

But it gives you bragging rights or confirmation privileges on the soccer pitch sidelines or gymnastics pit.

[Anonymous]

If Gen Ed were truly Gen Ed, i.e., a majority of the student population in any school, then Gen Ed would improve and not accorded a stigma. In Westchester County, NY, gifted or accelerated programs or for the true top 5%, not just the average Fairfax County household with a median HHI > $150k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do that many people really go to great lengths, or is it a DCUM thing?

I think it could depend on the area. Some parents are more competitive than others. I had a neighbor pass me down a huge stack of worksheets and workbooks she used to prepare her child. I have a friend who is older and she stressed the importance. She said to fight it if my child didn’t get in. I also have talked to numerous parents who have gotten tutors for their children while in elementary school ( and their students were already performing well). I also know numerous parents that can care less.

In my current neighborhood people move here specifically for the schools. We have the top schools in the state. However, I’ve found it really depends on the teacher. My daughter had a new teacher that was horrible. She even told the parents that she applied and got the job so here she is. She didn’t seem to have a real interest in teaching. She would come to school and tell the kids she was too tired to teach today and would pop on a movie or let them play games.

I was in a similar program. The schools weren’t that great. I was able to thrive by being with like minded students.

It's a travesty that AAP demographics do not reflect the County demographics for blacks and Hispanic students. If TJ is headed in that direction, AAP certainly should make more progress or just have one system.

This is why I think AAP should be open to all. If you can keep up and make an A/B in the course, you get to stay. I feel like no one is pushing gen-ed kids to do better.

Many of the kids in Gen Ed are challenged by the curriculum. I have friends who have kids who are nervous for Algebra in 9th grade because they have struggled with math. I have friends whose kids are the same age as mine but they are struggling with the Gen Ed material. My kid has class mates who struggle with multi-digit addition. He has classmates who have not passed the multiplication test.

Just because people in this forum think the curriculum is easy doesn't make it so. The curriculum is just right for lots of the kids in Gen Ed, challenging for a good number, and hard for others.

There are always those kids who are on the borderline for AAP or needing services that struggle in the class. The kids on the higher end need something more but don't quite fit the criteria (whatever that is) for AAP and the kids on the lower end are struggling to get services that they need (Check the special needs forum for the awful stories). But Gen Ed tends to be a good fit for many kids. Those of you trying to get away from the Gen Ed kids are going to end up with a decent number in your child's classes in high school and some of them are going to do better then our kids.

Our school's level IV pitch centers around how much non level IV kids benefit from being in a level IV classroom. The curriculum is just better and should be offered to any kid capable of doing the work, but can't be. The result at our school is 10 level IV kids with the room filled out by gen ed kids getting a great curriculum while similar gen ed kids get the gen ed curriclium. Our kid stayed local and loves it, but it's patently unfair to the gen ed kids not placed in the level IV classes. And before someone chimes in that the level III kids are the ones placed, that's not how it works at our school.

[Anonymous]

I was nearly desperate to get my 7yr old into Level IV because of the horrid education her sister got in 3-5th grade. My 10 year old has gotten ZERO diffentiation in math dispite being identified as above average upon arrival in 3rd grade. It is really sad that a child has to ask for harder work and sometimes gets it; but, NEVER gets it without asking.

It literally makes me sick that she has been left to her own devices for most of the past 3 years while her teachers spent all their time with struggling below average kids. I'm disgusted with the repeated (empty) school promises to provide differentiation for her in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. I regret ever sending her to that school. I actually believed FCPS hype about differentiation for all kids. Had I known the truth I would have gotten help to make a stronger Level IV package for her and gotten her out of there. I just hope her aptitude hasn't shriveled up and dried on the vine. We're hoping she recovers in middle school next year.

I literally cried with relief when my 2nd grader got selected for Level IV.

So, to answer the question about why all the hype about AAP: Because in Title One schools there are only two levels of learning that are addressed: average and below average. No one else matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was nearly desperate to get my 7yr old into Level IV because of the horrid education her sister got in 3-5th grade. My 10 year old has gotten ZERO diffentiation in math dispite being identified as above average upon arrival in 3rd grade. It is really sad that a child has to ask for harder work and sometimes gets it; but, NEVER gets it without asking.

It literally makes me sick that she has been left to her own devices for most of the past 3 years while her teachers spent all their time with struggling below average kids. I'm disgusted with the repeated (empty) school promises to provide differentiation for her in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. I regret ever sending her to that school. I actually believed FCPS hype about differentiation for all kids. Had I known the truth I would have gotten help to make a stronger Level IV package for her and gotten her out of there. I just hope her aptitude hasn't shriveled up and dried on the vine. We're hoping she recovers in middle school next year.

I literally cried with relief when my 2nd grader got selected for Level IV.

So, to answer the question about why all the hype about AAP: Because in Title One schools there are only two levels of learning that are addressed: average and below average. No one else matters.

Is there a reason you didn’t apply for LIV in third, fourth, and fifth grade? That path was available to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was nearly desperate to get my 7yr old into Level IV because of the horrid education her sister got in 3-5th grade. My 10 year old has gotten ZERO diffentiation in math dispite being identified as above average upon arrival in 3rd grade. It is really sad that a child has to ask for harder work and sometimes gets it; but, NEVER gets it without asking.

It literally makes me sick that she has been left to her own devices for most of the past 3 years while her teachers spent all their time with struggling below average kids. I'm disgusted with the repeated (empty) school promises to provide differentiation for her in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. I regret ever sending her to that school. I actually believed FCPS hype about differentiation for all kids. Had I known the truth I would have gotten help to make a stronger Level IV package for her and gotten her out of there. I just hope her aptitude hasn't shriveled up and dried on the vine. We're hoping she recovers in middle school next year.

I literally cried with relief when my 2nd grader got selected for Level IV.

So, to answer the question about why all the hype about AAP: Because in Title One schools there are only two levels of learning that are addressed: average and below average. No one else matters.

Is there a reason you didn’t apply for LIV in third, fourth, and fifth grade? That path was available to you.

DP. Same situation here although the base is "Title I adjacent", which is even worse. Our oldest child went through Level IV. Younger two didn't get accepted, despite WISC scores above the cutoff and appeals. Kids are also URM. Some schools do anything they can to keep the bright kids at the base.

I agree that middle school will be a welcome change. Honors classes are open to everyone, but the kids who are really below grade level aren't going to attempt those.

[Anonymous]

For some parents, it's not just AAP vs gen ed. It's center AAP vs. LIV AAP, then whether they get into Algebra I in 7th, then TJ. See this crazy forum. But for a lot of us, it's because our kids were not getting their needs met in ged ed in ES. At the MS and HS level, there are more choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do that many people really go to great lengths, or is it a DCUM thing?

I think it could depend on the area. Some parents are more competitive than others. I had a neighbor pass me down a huge stack of worksheets and workbooks she used to prepare her child. I have a friend who is older and she stressed the importance. She said to fight it if my child didn’t get in. I also have talked to numerous parents who have gotten tutors for their children while in elementary school ( and their students were already performing well). I also know numerous parents that can care less.

In my current neighborhood people move here specifically for the schools. We have the top schools in the state. However, I’ve found it really depends on the teacher. My daughter had a new teacher that was horrible. She even told the parents that she applied and got the job so here she is. She didn’t seem to have a real interest in teaching. She would come to school and tell the kids she was too tired to teach today and would pop on a movie or let them play games.

I was in a similar program. The schools weren’t that great. I was able to thrive by being with like minded students.

It's a travesty that AAP demographics do not reflect the County demographics for blacks and Hispanic students. If TJ is headed in that direction, AAP certainly should make more progress or just have one system.

This is why I think AAP should be open to all. If you can keep up and make an A/B in the course, you get to stay. I feel like no one is pushing gen-ed kids to do better.

Many of the kids in Gen Ed are challenged by the curriculum. I have friends who have kids who are nervous for Algebra in 9th grade because they have struggled with math. I have friends whose kids are the same age as mine but they are struggling with the Gen Ed material. My kid has class mates who struggle with multi-digit addition. He has classmates who have not passed the multiplication test.

Just because people in this forum think the curriculum is easy doesn't make it so. The curriculum is just right for lots of the kids in Gen Ed, challenging for a good number, and hard for others.

There are always those kids who are on the borderline for AAP or needing services that struggle in the class. The kids on the higher end need something more but don't quite fit the criteria (whatever that is) for AAP and the kids on the lower end are struggling to get services that they need (Check the special needs forum for the awful stories). But Gen Ed tends to be a good fit for many kids. Those of you trying to get away from the Gen Ed kids are going to end up with a decent number in your child's classes in high school and some of them are going to do better then our kids.

shhhh, they don't want to hear it PP
signed a parent of a AAP kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are parents so hel! bent on getting their children into AAP?

segregation from poors

[Anonymous]

Maybe they should do something to improve Gen Ed. At many schools it’s basically students who are unwilling to learn, have massive discipline issues and the other kids trapped in this class. I’m shocked at the violent students who are allowed to continue.

My kid is bright and eager. I want her to have teachers who actually care about kids other than the worst ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do that many people really go to great lengths, or is it a DCUM thing?

I think it could depend on the area. Some parents are more competitive than others. I had a neighbor pass me down a huge stack of worksheets and workbooks she used to prepare her child. I have a friend who is older and she stressed the importance. She said to fight it if my child didn’t get in. I also have talked to numerous parents who have gotten tutors for their children while in elementary school ( and their students were already performing well). I also know numerous parents that can care less.

In my current neighborhood people move here specifically for the schools. We have the top schools in the state. However, I’ve found it really depends on the teacher. My daughter had a new teacher that was horrible. She even told the parents that she applied and got the job so here she is. She didn’t seem to have a real interest in teaching. She would come to school and tell the kids she was too tired to teach today and would pop on a movie or let them play games.

I was in a similar program. The schools weren’t that great. I was able to thrive by being with like minded students.

It's a travesty that AAP demographics do not reflect the County demographics for blacks and Hispanic students. If TJ is headed in that direction, AAP certainly should make more progress or just have one system.

This is why I think AAP should be open to all. If you can keep up and make an A/B in the course, you get to stay. I feel like no one is pushing gen-ed kids to do better.

Many of the kids in Gen Ed are challenged by the curriculum. I have friends who have kids who are nervous for Algebra in 9th grade because they have struggled with math. I have friends whose kids are the same age as mine but they are struggling with the Gen Ed material. My kid has class mates who struggle with multi-digit addition. He has classmates who have not passed the multiplication test.

Just because people in this forum think the curriculum is easy doesn't make it so. The curriculum is just right for lots of the kids in Gen Ed, challenging for a good number, and hard for others.

There are always those kids who are on the borderline for AAP or needing services that struggle in the class. The kids on the higher end need something more but don't quite fit the criteria (whatever that is) for AAP and the kids on the lower end are struggling to get services that they need (Check the special needs forum for the awful stories). But Gen Ed tends to be a good fit for many kids. Those of you trying to get away from the Gen Ed kids are going to end up with a decent number in your child's classes in high school and some of them are going to do better then our kids.

shhhh, they don't want to hear it PP
signed a parent of a AAP kid

By high school and even by middle school, kids are tracked a lot more seriously. Your kid who is reading on or above grade level is not going to be in the same class as a student who is two grade levels behind once they hit middle school. It happens all the time in elementary though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do that many people really go to great lengths, or is it a DCUM thing?

I think it could depend on the area. Some parents are more competitive than others. I had a neighbor pass me down a huge stack of worksheets and workbooks she used to prepare her child. I have a friend who is older and she stressed the importance. She said to fight it if my child didn’t get in. I also have talked to numerous parents who have gotten tutors for their children while in elementary school ( and their students were already performing well). I also know numerous parents that can care less.

In my current neighborhood people move here specifically for the schools. We have the top schools in the state. However, I’ve found it really depends on the teacher. My daughter had a new teacher that was horrible. She even told the parents that she applied and got the job so here she is. She didn’t seem to have a real interest in teaching. She would come to school and tell the kids she was too tired to teach today and would pop on a movie or let them play games.

I was in a similar program. The schools weren’t that great. I was able to thrive by being with like minded students.

It's a travesty that AAP demographics do not reflect the County demographics for blacks and Hispanic students. If TJ is headed in that direction, AAP certainly should make more progress or just have one system.

This is why I think AAP should be open to all. If you can keep up and make an A/B in the course, you get to stay. I feel like no one is pushing gen-ed kids to do better.

Many of the kids in Gen Ed are challenged by the curriculum. I have friends who have kids who are nervous for Algebra in 9th grade because they have struggled with math. I have friends whose kids are the same age as mine but they are struggling with the Gen Ed material. My kid has class mates who struggle with multi-digit addition. He has classmates who have not passed the multiplication test.

Just because people in this forum think the curriculum is easy doesn't make it so. The curriculum is just right for lots of the kids in Gen Ed, challenging for a good number, and hard for others.

There are always those kids who are on the borderline for AAP or needing services that struggle in the class. The kids on the higher end need something more but don't quite fit the criteria (whatever that is) for AAP and the kids on the lower end are struggling to get services that they need (Check the special needs forum for the awful stories). But Gen Ed tends to be a good fit for many kids. Those of you trying to get away from the Gen Ed kids are going to end up with a decent number in your child's classes in high school and some of them are going to do better then our kids.

shhhh, they don't want to hear it PP
signed a parent of a AAP kid

By high school and even by middle school, kids are tracked a lot more seriously. Your kid who is reading on or above grade level is not going to be in the same class as a student who is two grade levels behind once they hit middle school. It happens all the time in elementary though.

The students track themselves in MS and HS. Kids and Parents choose the classes and Parents can opt their students into classes that the Counselor does not recommend. Many kids in Gen Ed will choose to take Honors classes. The kids further behind will stay in the Gen Ed classes. By the time you get to High School, the kids are in classes that are more appropriate for their abilities. ES is different because how kids learn at that age is so different. You can have a kid not reading in first grade who is in the highest reading group by the end of second grade. Kids who are ahead can be caught by other kids who simply learn differently. MS and HS the kids tend to have a better idea about their strengths and weaknesses and take classes that are closer to their skill level.

[Anonymous]

I really wish someone who is in top 50 school and was in Gen Ed classes, show up here and tell how AAP is not everything to be in a top school.