Prepping/Scamming the Cogat

[Anonymous]

Bravo to the one poster who actually told her DC's teacher that they prepped. If you talk the talk, walk the walk.

The rest of you are just making excuses for what you know is dishonest behavior: it's none of their business; I would if they told ME how they scored the GBRS; teachers don't know anything, etc.

Not every situation is covered by a legal statute. Given the intensity of some parents, the school system could never withstand being dragged through court if they made prepping an actionable offense.

Straight from the Fairfax County AAP FAQ:

"How can I prepare my child to take the tests? Can I see sample questions or practice sheets?

Sample questions are practiced by students as part of the test preparation. Sample tests are not commercially available. The best test preparation is a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast."

I see nothing about Kumon, Mercer, or any other program. If the county found those acceptable, they would not write "sample tests are not commercially available." Again, they open a huge legal can of worms if they straight-out tell you you cannot prep, and I don't want a county legal team on retainer just to fight these cases. But the fact is, if you prep, you screw up the results for everyone else, to the point where they had to change the test. And let me assure you, we ALL paid for that process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Straight from the Fairfax County AAP FAQ:

"How can I prepare my child to take the tests? Can I see sample questions or practice sheets?

Sample questions are practiced by students as part of the test preparation. Sample tests are not commercially available. The best test preparation is a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast."

I see nothing about Kumon, Mercer, or any other program. If the county found those acceptable, they would not write "sample tests are not commercially available." Again, they open a huge legal can of worms if they straight-out tell you you cannot prep...

We did not prep, but FCPS really should change their FAQ to read:

Sample questions are practiced by students as part of the test preparation. Sample tests are commercially available. The best test preparation is a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast."

Be honest about it so all parents can be aware about prepping, the parents can decide if prepping will make a difference for their child

[Anonymous]

Life isnt fair. Considering students are already getting "prepped" its questionable how much value added tools like mercer are. That being said, I used mercer for both my kids. I reviewed each question alonfside my kids. They seemed to enjoy the prepping process as did I working with them. If fcps wanted to make things fair they would partner with mercer to subsidize/discount the prep material to make it available to everyone. Prepping of the tests will continue either way. fcps should not lie to people by saying no prep materials are commercially available. At worst they could leave it by saying kids should be sure to get a good night sleep and breakfast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bravo to the one poster who actually told her DC's teacher that they prepped. If you talk the talk, walk the walk.

The rest of you are just making excuses for what you know is dishonest behavior: it's none of their business; I would if they told ME how they scored the GBRS; teachers don't know anything, etc.

Not every situation is covered by a legal statute. Given the intensity of some parents, the school system could never withstand being dragged through court if they made prepping an actionable offense.

Straight from the Fairfax County AAP FAQ:

"How can I prepare my child to take the tests? Can I see sample questions or practice sheets?

Sample questions are practiced by students as part of the test preparation. Sample tests are not commercially available. The best test preparation is a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast."

I see nothing about Kumon, Mercer, or any other program. If the county found those acceptable, they would not write "sample tests are not commercially available." Again, they open a huge legal can of worms if they straight-out tell you you cannot prep, and I don't want a county legal team on retainer just to fight these cases. But the fact is, if you prep, you screw up the results for everyone else, to the point where they had to change the test. And let me assure you, we ALL paid for that process.

This post is laughable. What does telling the teacher if you prepped or not have to do with anything? I would not tell my DC's health teacher that I smoke 2 packs a day, because I do not want to be lectured to for doing something legal and by choice, only to hear someone put their condescending opinion put down on me. I would not tell my son's teachers that we have 3 legal guns, one semi-automatic in the house for protection, because the liberal leaning teachers (statistical fact) would label me an extremest. I would not tell my child's teacher that our DS has been prescribed Ritalin to manage ADD (I am sure you think that is an unfair advantage and a form of cheating too). I could go on an on. I am sure there are many things that you do and then omit or fail to point out to others who may judge you unfairly. That does not make them wrong, it only says that there are a lot of judgmental people out there, like yourself, pointing out others who do not suit their moral code.

Hate to break the news to you, prepping is perfectly legal and not called cheating in any way despite how you try and twist the words on the Fairfax County web sites. If you don't want to prep your kid, that is your right, don't dictate what I can do with mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bravo to the one poster who actually told her DC's teacher that they prepped. If you talk the talk, walk the walk.

The rest of you are just making excuses for what you know is dishonest behavior: it's none of their business; I would if they told ME how they scored the GBRS; teachers don't know anything, etc.

Not every situation is covered by a legal statute. Given the intensity of some parents, the school system could never withstand being dragged through court if they made prepping an actionable offense.

Straight from the Fairfax County AAP FAQ:

"How can I prepare my child to take the tests? Can I see sample questions or practice sheets?

Sample questions are practiced by students as part of the test preparation. Sample tests are not commercially available. The best test preparation is a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast."

I see nothing about Kumon, Mercer, or any other program. If the county found those acceptable, they would not write "sample tests are not commercially available." Again, they open a huge legal can of worms if they straight-out tell you you cannot prep, and I don't want a county legal team on retainer just to fight these cases. But the fact is, if you prep, you screw up the results for everyone else, to the point where they had to change the test. And let me assure you, we ALL paid for that process.

Why do I tell the teacher that my kid took sample test for NNAT when not asked??
What's your point??

[Anonymous]

The county is trying to identify children who qualify for AAP WITHOUT having prepped. That is why they word the website FAQ as they do.

I don't have to twist those words. If they're saying sample tests aren't commercially available, they do NOT want you to prep. Otherwise, the answer to that question on the FAQ would point you to Mercer, Kumon, etc. If you doubt me, call the AAP office and ask them point-blank if the COUNTY (not you) feels it is OK to prep and if they are seeking out prepped kids for the AAP centers.

If you prep, you throw the results, plain and simple. One of the few honest answers here was "Life isn't fair." I'm still waiting for "But everybody else does it!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The county is trying to identify children who qualify for AAP WITHOUT having prepped. That is why they word the website FAQ as they do.

I don't have to twist those words. If they're saying sample tests aren't commercially available, they do NOT want you to prep. Otherwise, the answer to that question on the FAQ would point you to Mercer, Kumon, etc. If you doubt me, call the AAP office and ask them point-blank if the COUNTY (not you) feels it is OK to prep and if they are seeking out prepped kids for the AAP centers.

If you prep, you throw the results, plain and simple. One of the few honest answers here was "Life isn't fair." I'm still waiting for "But everybody else does it!"

Why would they even have that on their website. Any idiot can go on google and see that yes, in fact, there are tests available to those who want to prep.

Who on earth cares? Worry about your own kid. If someone else wants to waste away every weekend practicing standardized tests, bully to them. Doesn't affect me in any way whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Ask them why they have it on their website. For the tenth time: they don't want you to prep. They are not looking for prepped kids.

I do worry about my own kid! Do you think this is a theoretical argument? My non-prepped kid might well be at a disadvantage for AAP because of those who memorize and game the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask them why they have it on their website. For the tenth time: they don't want you to prep. They are not looking for prepped kids.

I do worry about my own kid! Do you think this is a theoretical argument? My non-prepped kid might well be at a disadvantage for AAP because of those who memorize and game the test.

Then do your best for your kid by using the "reading and feeding" them method. Let them play video games like Professor Layton and Minecraft. Let them watch a little TV, and let them do their homework completely on their own. Go to the MENSA website, and let them do some of the puzzles there, including the speed challenge. Read, read, read.

There are lots of things you can do to prep your child for success on these kinds of tests. The above are the kinds of things we do, and our kids are successful. So it doesn't matter to us if someone else decides to spend all their spare time on expensive practice tests. Works for them, fine. Not the way I would do it, but I am not in their house and don't really consider it my business.

Different methods to the same path. We aren't all wired the same, so the way we prepare doesn't need to be either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The county is trying to identify children who qualify for AAP WITHOUT having prepped. That is why they word the website FAQ as they do.

I don't have to twist those words. If they're saying sample tests aren't commercially available, they do NOT want you to prep. Otherwise, the answer to that question on the FAQ would point you to Mercer, Kumon, etc. If you doubt me, call the AAP office and ask them point-blank if the COUNTY (not you) feels it is OK to prep and if they are seeking out prepped kids for the AAP centers.

If you prep, you throw the results, plain and simple. One of the few honest answers here was "Life isn't fair." I'm still waiting for "But everybody else does it!"

Seems to me either they are lying or don't know.
You tell the county that commercial sample tests are available, but students should not use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The county is trying to identify children who qualify for AAP WITHOUT having prepped. That is why they word the website FAQ as they do.

I don't have to twist those words. If they're saying sample tests aren't commercially available, they do NOT want you to prep. Otherwise, the answer to that question on the FAQ would point you to Mercer, Kumon, etc. If you doubt me, call the AAP office and ask them point-blank if the COUNTY (not you) feels it is OK to prep and if they are seeking out prepped kids for the AAP centers.

If you prep, you throw the results, plain and simple. One of the few honest answers here was "Life isn't fair." I'm still waiting for "But everybody else does it!"

Seems to me either they are lying or don't know.
You tell the county that they should state in FAQ that commercial sample tests are available, but students should not use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask them why they have it on their website. For the tenth time: they don't want you to prep. They are not looking for prepped kids.

I do worry about my own kid! Do you think this is a theoretical argument? My non-prepped kid might well be at a disadvantage for AAP because of those who memorize and game the test.

Many on this board who are railing about prepping are doing so because they say that these tests are supposed to identify the "truly gifted" non-prepped kids.

If you were confident that your kids was indeed one of these "truly gifted" kids, then you wouldn't care one iota about the people who prepped.

Nor would that prepping affect your kids' outcome in any way whatsoever.

If your child was indeed one of the "truly gifted", unprepped kids that the tests are supposed to catch, then they will score in that upper 98-99% not matter what, above all the prepped kids.

[Anonymous]

Bravo to the one poster who actually told her DC's teacher that they prepped. If you talk the talk, walk the walk.

The rest of you are just making excuses for what you know is dishonest behavior: it's none of their business; I would if they told ME how they scored the GBRS; teachers don't know anything, etc.

Not every situation is covered by a legal statute. Given the intensity of some parents, the school system could never withstand being dragged through court if they made prepping an actionable offense.

Straight from the Fairfax County AAP FAQ:

"How can I prepare my child to take the tests? Can I see sample questions or practice sheets?

Sample questions are practiced by students as part of the test preparation. Sample tests are not commercially available. The best test preparation is a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast."

I see nothing about Kumon, Mercer, or any other program. If the county found those acceptable, they would not write "sample tests are not commercially available." Again, they open a huge legal can of worms if they straight-out tell you you cannot prep, and I don't want a county legal team on retainer just to fight these cases. But the fact is, if you prep, you screw up the results for everyone else, to the point where they had to change the test. And let me assure you, we ALL paid for that process.

Sounds ridiculous here. Only a fool is looking for an annoucement from the "authorities" regarding what is acceptable to study. If your test is in prealgebra you had better study prealgebra. Do people on this forum actually need someone to hold their hands and tell them what vendor to get your prealgebra from?

Prealgebra is prealgebra. A good night's sleep is not study material for prealgebra. Most kids I know can study prealgebra and get a good night's sleep. It's not rocket science, gals.

[Anonymous]

Ask them why they have it on their website. For the tenth time: they don't want you to prep. They are not looking for prepped kids.

I do worry about my own kid! Do you think this is a theoretical argument? My non-prepped kid might well be at a disadvantage for AAP because of those who memorize and game the test.

What Gods are they? If the Gods don't want you to study or prep then withdraw your kids from school and extracurricular academic studies and stop cheating.

[Anonymous]

Then do your best for your kid by using the "reading and feeding" them method. Let them play video games like Professor Layton and Minecraft. Let them watch a little TV, and let them do their homework completely on their own. Go to the MENSA website, and let them do some of the puzzles there, including the speed challenge. Read, read, read. There are lots of things you can do to prep your child for success on these kinds of tests. The above are the kinds of things we do, and our kids are successful. So it doesn't matter to us if someone else decides to spend all their spare time on expensive practice tests. Works for them, fine. Not the way I would do it, but I am not in their house and don't really consider it my business.

Different methods to the same path. We aren't all wired the same, so the way we prepare doesn't need to be either.

That's cheating since these activities prep kids for some aspects of standardized tests. You'll stop cheating now.