Does the parent part of the AAP packet count for anything?

[Anonymous]

I wonder if the committee just discounts it because it's from the parent. I received my packet and noticed the teacher-submitted work samples were not very impressive. But then I imagine that gets taken more seriously than what the parent submits. Any insights? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I think the initial packet is all about the test scores, the HOPE form, the child’s profile and then the base school ie how they measure against the students at that school because it is really a direct competition as they view the packets by school. If you have to appeal the work samples and write up you send becomes important.

[Anonymous]

Parent witnessed work samples at home are important part of the appeal. Teacher has many students and may not always be picking best work samples of each student.

[Anonymous]

I wonder how closely they really look at everything in the packet. Between the parent referral, parent questionnaire, test scores, hope form, and work samples, there's a lot of papers to look at in a short amount of time. It gets even more arduous for them in the appeal with even more work samples. Despite what FCPS wants you to believe, these people are not experts on "giftedness" and I bet make plenty of incorrect snap judgments.

[Anonymous]

That’s it. It’s not enough time

[Anonymous]

Do you think thoughtful contributions from the parent help because it shows you are trying to make a strong case (and likely will appeal)? I think it would be silly to just ignore the parent's perspective... maybe that is more likely if the HOPE is really bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how closely they really look at everything in the packet. Between the parent referral, parent questionnaire, test scores, hope form, and work samples, there's a lot of papers to look at in a short amount of time. It gets even more arduous for them in the appeal with even more work samples. Despite what FCPS wants you to believe, these people are not experts on "giftedness" and I bet make plenty of incorrect snap judgments.

What’s your knowledge of how long each packet is reviewed and by how many people?
Does one have to be an “expert” on giftedness when it’s not really even a “gifted” program in the truest sense of the work.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been told that there are 6 people on each committee. They are typically AARTs or teachers. Each person quietly reviews each packet independently. Each person says yes or no for each packet and then moves on to the next one. If 4 or more say yes then the child is in. If 3 say yes then it goes to a seventh person as a tiebreaker.

I don’t know how long they take to review each packet.

[Anonymous]

The study that someone posted in other thread that is being used for future aap planning recommends eliminating parent involvement- so anything now more than sounds like will be in future when FCPS rolls out next changes. Starts with “P” for name of phd who is one of authors- not being cryptic here, just can’t remember name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The study that someone posted in other thread that is being used for future aap planning recommends eliminating parent involvement- so anything now more than sounds like will be in future when FCPS rolls out next changes. Starts with “P” for name of phd who is one of authors- not being cryptic here, just can’t remember name.

Does that mean eliminating appeals and parent referral? This sounds like a bad idea but not surprising they would coalesce around a bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The study that someone posted in other thread that is being used for future aap planning recommends eliminating parent involvement- so anything now more than sounds like will be in future when FCPS rolls out next changes. Starts with “P” for name of phd who is one of authors- not being cryptic here, just can’t remember name.

Does that mean eliminating appeals and parent referral? This sounds like a bad idea but not surprising they would coalesce around a bad idea.

Link to report below that someone else posted on other AAP thread 2 days ago (the in pool thread). Recommendation on parent referral is on page 42, item 2b and on appeals is 2f (my system won’t let me just copy and paste here). Recs are very general, but does put eyes on both. In short for appeals says need to be ready for those to go up if change admission process.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/BPLQKV69B096/$file/FCPS%20final%20report%2005.05.20.pdf

[Anonymous]

Dc1 was in pool and got into aap without any parent referral ( had no idea what to submit). DC2 was in pool and got into aap ( did parent referral because child was in the classes with all kids having behavior problems for 2 years, even thought I still had no idea what to submit, at least l wouldn’t feel regret later if DC wasn’t in). Parent referral wouldn’t hurt and help especially when kids aren’t in pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The study that someone posted in other thread that is being used for future aap planning recommends eliminating parent involvement- so anything now more than sounds like will be in future when FCPS rolls out next changes. Starts with “P” for name of phd who is one of authors- not being cryptic here, just can’t remember name.

Does that mean eliminating appeals and parent referral? This sounds like a bad idea but not surprising they would coalesce around a bad idea.

Link to report below that someone else posted on other AAP thread 2 days ago (the in pool thread). Recommendation on parent referral is on page 42, item 2b and on appeals is 2f (my system won’t let me just copy and paste here). Recs are very general, but does put eyes on both. In short for appeals says need to be ready for those to go up if change admission process.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/BPLQKV69B096/$file/FCPS%20final%20report%2005.05.20.pdf

Why are racial groups being compared using the term equity ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dc1 was in pool and got into aap without any parent referral ( had no idea what to submit). DC2 was in pool and got into aap ( did parent referral because child was in the classes with all kids having behavior problems for 2 years, even thought I still had no idea what to submit, at least l wouldn’t feel regret later if DC wasn’t in). Parent referral wouldn’t hurt and help especially when kids aren’t in pool.

Exactly! My URM kid was in classes with other URM kids with behavior problems. Without parent referral, kid would still be sitting there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The study that someone posted in other thread that is being used for future aap planning recommends eliminating parent involvement- so anything now more than sounds like will be in future when FCPS rolls out next changes. Starts with “P” for name of phd who is one of authors- not being cryptic here, just can’t remember name.

Does that mean eliminating appeals and parent referral? This sounds like a bad idea but not surprising they would coalesce around a bad idea.

Link to report below that someone else posted on other AAP thread 2 days ago (the in pool thread). Recommendation on parent referral is on page 42, item 2b and on appeals is 2f (my system won’t let me just copy and paste here). Recs are very general, but does put eyes on both. In short for appeals says need to be ready for those to go up if change admission process.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/BPLQKV69B096/$file/FCPS%20final%20report%2005.05.20.pdf

Thanks. This is all about increasing diversity without regard to quality/need. There is no metric on which underrepresented groups will come out ahead, so they want to make the process more and more subjective (including training the committee on selecting with a view to equity). It's so gross.