New Budget Recommendations -- eliminate AAP busing and centers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you knowledgeable folks educate me on this topic. Pardon my ignorance since I didn't go to school here. Just wanted to know possible scenarios so that we can prepare for transportation and childcare in case.

My DD is in 5th grade at a center school. Our base school only has Local Level 4 up to 4th grade. She is at SACC at the base school and takes a bus from the base school to the center school. There is a bus from the center school that picks up and drops off in our neighborhood but we don't use it due to schedules.

What are the possible scenarios in this situation?

-How likely is it that our base school stand up a Local Level 4 for 6th grade and send all the kids back to the base school?
-How likely is it that we will lose transportation from the base school to the center school? Will we lose transportation from the center school to our neighborhood?

How soon can changes be implemented- will this be for school year 2016-17?
If these changes will get implemented for 2016-2017, should I go on the SACC waitlist for the center school in case we lose the transportation?

Are there other possible scenarios?

Thank you for your insight!

Nobody knows. We'll find out sometime next year, hopefully before September (or August, if we get a waiver).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I believe the point is why label it "AAP" or "GenEd" at all? Just offer the best curriculum possible, to all kids, and call it a day. Why is this so difficult for some of you to understand? Is it because you prefer the (perceived) exclusivity of your child being in a "special" class? If so, how ludicrous.

Wait. The AAP curriculum isn't better than the general education curriculum - it's just better for some kids. In the same way that the fifth grade curriculum isn't better than the first grade curriculum - they're different and some kids need the first grade while others need the fifth.

This. It is not just the curriculum that makes a class part of the AAP, it is also the speed of pacing and the depth. Kids who need to be in an AAP classroom learn more quickly and easily, so the class either moves through the curriculum more quickly or studies subjects at a deeper level.

You could put every kid into the same classroom, but not every kid learns at the same pace and some are not ready to study a subject in depth until they are older. So what happens when you have a class where some of the kids learn a unit the first time the teacher presents it, but others need a lot of repetition? At some point, you have to do some differentiation, but it is easier to work with the kids in the middle when the extremes have teachers dedicated to and specializing in teaching them.

FCPS had a great program that has become too big to work the way it is supposed to. If they could find a way to get it back to what it was about ten or fifteen years ago, the general public would be more supportive.

The curriculum is hands down a 1000 times better than Gen Ed curriculum. There is actually a standard of curriculum, teacher training in those standards and most kids in AAP, regardless of center, learn from the same curriculum.

This is not how it is in Gen Ed where the teachers have guidelines on what topics to cover but pull from whatever resources they desire in order to cover those topics. This leaves all kinds of space for gaps and makes the learning from one school to another or even from one classroom to another very inconsistent.

AAP uses specific programs, specific texts, and teachers are given training on how to teach from those. The curriculum is BETTER.

Yes, the pace is faster. The AAP curriculum should be used across the board in every classroom with GT kids working at a faster pace through differentiation within the classroom or via pullouts.

[Anonymous]

So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

If you look at the FCPS website, they will tell you that the curriculum is the same for AAP and Gen Ed. They also take the same SOLs, except for Math in 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

If you look at the FCPS website, they will tell you that the curriculum is the same for AAP and Gen Ed. They also take the same SOLs, except for Math in 5th grade.

It absolutely is not.

Here are examples for 5th grade AAP vs Gen Ed.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/elemprogreport/documents/aap/Grade5Parents.pdf

and here is actual standard curricula used-

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade5.pdf

William and Mary Units, Ceaser's English, etc are standard across AAP classrooms. You will find no such similar instruction as standard in Gen Ed classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

If you look at the FCPS website, they will tell you that the curriculum is the same for AAP and Gen Ed. They also take the same SOLs, except for Math in 5th grade.

It absolutely is not.

Here are examples for 5th grade AAP vs Gen Ed.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/elemprogreport/documents/aap/Grade5Parents.pdf

and here is actual standard curricula used-

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade5.pdf

William and Mary Units, Ceaser's English, etc are standard across AAP classrooms. You will find no such similar instruction as standard in Gen Ed classrooms.

We are at a high achieving center ES. I am really confused about whether there is any meaningful distinction between AAP and GE. On one hand, the teachers and administrators kept telling parents that our school is good, all kids received AAP materials, so don't worry about getting your kids into AAP, because it does not matter for this school. On the other hands, they also said that AAP math is one year ahead of GE math. So clearly AAP and GE are not the same, then why lie to the parents?

[Anonymous]

We are at a high achieving center ES. I am really confused about whether there is any meaningful distinction between AAP and GE. On one hand, the teachers and administrators kept telling parents that our school is good, all kids received AAP materials, so don't worry about getting your kids into AAP, because it does not matter for this school. On the other hands, they also said that AAP math is one year ahead of GE math. So clearly AAP and GE are not the same, then why lie to the parents?

Many non-center schools offer an advanced math class for certain Gen Ed students. I'm not sure whether that's the equivalent of AAP math, but if so it might just mean that advanced math is available but not required as it would be for the AAP kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

If you look at the FCPS website, they will tell you that the curriculum is the same for AAP and Gen Ed. They also take the same SOLs, except for Math in 5th grade.

It absolutely is not.

Here are examples for 5th grade AAP vs Gen Ed.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/elemprogreport/documents/aap/Grade5Parents.pdf

and here is actual standard curricula used-

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade5.pdf

William and Mary Units, Ceaser's English, etc are standard across AAP classrooms. You will find no such similar instruction as standard in Gen Ed classrooms.

The standards being taught are also different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

If you look at the FCPS website, they will tell you that the curriculum is the same for AAP and Gen Ed. They also take the same SOLs, except for Math in 5th grade.

It absolutely is not.

Here are examples for 5th grade AAP vs Gen Ed.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/elemprogreport/documents/aap/Grade5Parents.pdf

and here is actual standard curricula used-

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade5.pdf

William and Mary Units, Ceaser's English, etc are standard across AAP classrooms. You will find no such similar instruction as standard in Gen Ed classrooms.

We are at a high achieving center ES. I am really confused about whether there is any meaningful distinction between AAP and GE. On one hand, the teachers and administrators kept telling parents that our school is good, all kids received AAP materials, so don't worry about getting your kids into AAP, because it does not matter for this school. On the other hands, they also said that AAP math is one year ahead of GE math. So clearly AAP and GE are not the same, then why lie to the parents?

Because then everyone would know that their child is not getting as good of an education and there would be a lot of angry parents.

It's very convenient for them to pacify the masses by saying it's pretty much the same. If it were the same AAP parents would not be putting up such a big fight to keep it exclusive.



I

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

If you look at the FCPS website, they will tell you that the curriculum is the same for AAP and Gen Ed. They also take the same SOLs, except for Math in 5th grade.

It absolutely is not.

Here are examples for 5th grade AAP vs Gen Ed.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/elemprogreport/documents/aap/Grade5Parents.pdf

and here is actual standard curricula used-

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade5.pdf

William and Mary Units, Ceaser's English, etc are standard across AAP classrooms. You will find no such similar instruction as standard in Gen Ed classrooms.

We are at a high achieving center ES. I am really confused about whether there is any meaningful distinction between AAP and GE. On one hand, the teachers and administrators kept telling parents that our school is good, all kids received AAP materials, so don't worry about getting your kids into AAP, because it does not matter for this school. On the other hands, they also said that AAP math is one year ahead of GE math. So clearly AAP and GE are not the same, then why lie to the parents?

Because then everyone would know that their child is not getting as good of an education and there would be a lot of angry parents.

It's very convenient for them to pacify the masses by saying it's pretty much the same. If it were the same AAP parents would not be putting up such a big fight to keep it exclusive.



I

Actually, I think in some cases there really is very little difference. Sounds like PP was told that her child did receive the same curriculum and at schools in Mclean (including mine) I believe all classes are using the W&M materials, Caesar's English, etc...I have a child in the center and it's good for my child, but that's mostly because it has benefited my child socially. I'm not convinced that curriculum is all that different or that the teachers are any better/worse. We've seen good teachers and not so good teachers. This year, my child has a teacher for math (who teaches another AAP class) who is really young with very little teaching experience. She may prove to be a good teacher but I don't think there's anything that makes her stand out from any non-AAP teacher. My child's homeroom teacher is experienced, but, honestly, has a bad reputation among parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

If you look at the FCPS website, they will tell you that the curriculum is the same for AAP and Gen Ed. They also take the same SOLs, except for Math in 5th grade.

It absolutely is not.

Here are examples for 5th grade AAP vs Gen Ed.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/elemprogreport/documents/aap/Grade5Parents.pdf

and here is actual standard curricula used-

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade5.pdf

William and Mary Units, Ceaser's English, etc are standard across AAP classrooms. You will find no such similar instruction as standard in Gen Ed classrooms.

We are at a high achieving center ES. I am really confused about whether there is any meaningful distinction between AAP and GE. On one hand, the teachers and administrators kept telling parents that our school is good, all kids received AAP materials, so don't worry about getting your kids into AAP, because it does not matter for this school. On the other hands, they also said that AAP math is one year ahead of GE math. So clearly AAP and GE are not the same, then why lie to the parents?

Because then everyone would know that their child is not getting as good of an education and there would be a lot of angry parents.

It's very convenient for them to pacify the masses by saying it's pretty much the same. If it were the same AAP parents would not be putting up such a big fight to keep it exclusive.

Is your child in AAP or GE? What grade? Did you parent refer?

[Anonymous]

Non AAP kids have the option to take compacted math, which is the equivalent of AAP level math IF THEY QUALIFY.

What I don't get is all of this crowing about how unfair AAP is to GE students-ALL 2nd graders in FCPS are screened and there is a process to this-if you QUALIFY then you receive the same AAP education as everyone else who qualifies and if you don't qualify you are placed in GE. The classes are differentiated from then on within their own cohort. AAP is simply a larger group differentiation point to begin from from the students who proved they can test well and are identified by the teachers as being suitable for the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So really AAP is just better because it has more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training and GE would be better if it had more strict curriculum guidelines, materials, and training? I agree with this, but am curious if others do as well.

AAP is better for some kids, not for all kids.

Correcting this for you- the faster PACE is better for some kids not all kids.

The curriculum is better for all kids.

If you look at the FCPS website, they will tell you that the curriculum is the same for AAP and Gen Ed. They also take the same SOLs, except for Math in 5th grade.

It absolutely is not.

Here are examples for 5th grade AAP vs Gen Ed.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/elemprogreport/documents/aap/Grade5Parents.pdf

and here is actual standard curricula used-

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/famework/Grade5.pdf

William and Mary Units, Ceaser's English, etc are standard across AAP classrooms. You will find no such similar instruction as standard in Gen Ed classrooms.

Our child's GE classroom uses both W&M language arts workbooks and Caesar's English word study. So obviously it varies from school to school. Which begs the question - why not just use these tools across all classes and stop calling it "AAP" or "GE"?