Ask about AAP at parent teacher conference?

[Anonymous]

As most FCPS probably does, I have my 2nd graders conference today. Do you ask about AAP? Don't mention it at all? Will they mention? It feels presumptuous and obnoxious to bring it up, but at the same time the teacher is a key source of information with the HOPE, right? What's the correct protocol?

[Anonymous]

It likely varies by school/teacher. I went in thinking I would not mention it then was pleasantly surprised when the teacher mentioned it.

[Anonymous]

Our teacher asked us to fill out AAP interest forms at Back to School night so they'd know to watch those kids and pull work samples. It then naturally came up at conferences - I would have asked if it had not.

[Anonymous]

We mentioned it in 2nd grade and the Teacher said it was not something they were allowed to discuss. She also said that our child would be placed in Advanced Math without a doubt, so they were allowed to discuss Advanced Math, probably because it is a school selected the kids and not a committee? Who knows.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we discussed briefly at PT conferences for both kids. They aren’t supposed to guide you on the decision or try to encourage/dissuade you from referring, but It’s good to give heads up so they can start pulling samples and start working on HOPE ratings.

[Anonymous]

I asked. I don’t see why you wouldn’t. It’s a process you all go through together so you need to be on the same page. She gave me some good advice and professional thoughts. I appreciated the honest discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked. I don’t see why you wouldn’t. It’s a process you all go through together so you need to be on the same page. She gave me some good advice and professional thoughts. I appreciated the honest discussion.

FCPS policy is that Teachers do not discuss LIV placement with parents. This means that they should not recommend or dissuade a family from applying or discuss the likelihood of being selected or discuss the application or review work samples. It would be nice if all schools followed the same practices but we know that is not the case but it is frustrating for the parents of kids whose schools adhere to the letter of the policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We mentioned it in 2nd grade and the Teacher said it was not something they were allowed to discuss. She also said that our child would be placed in Advanced Math without a doubt, so they were allowed to discuss Advanced Math, probably because it is a school selected the kids and not a committee? Who knows.

Same.

I would not bring it up.

[Anonymous]

What are you hoping to get out of bringing it up, OP?

--If a clue about ratings, you won't get one.
--If clarification on the process, ask away. "We are planning to refer Larla for AAP. Is there anything we need to do on our end to support that process?"

Teacher will refer you to AART but you will have made the point that you want teacher to consider student.

[Anonymous]

Both my kids' 2nd grade teachers brought it up and said they were sure my kid would get in. And they did. Both had perfect GBRS (old version of HOPE score) and high CogAT scores.

[Anonymous]

You can ask about it. Just mention that you will be parent referring and wanted to know about their process for picking out work samples. Ask if they think they will have plenty to use. Let them talk, but don’t expect them to tell you if they think your kid should be in aap or not.

[Anonymous]

They will be uncomfortable and tell you positives and then screw your child over with the HoPe score they probably already completed

[Anonymous]

Most teachers are very touchy because it's a rabbit hole they don't want to get into with every family. If you want to ask anyway, ask specific questions about your child that can't be learnt from somewhere else. Don't just ask overall process or "what is HOPE".