PTO involvement in Grade 2 and AAP admissions

[Anonymous]

I hope you are correct. However, at least Crossfield at least I see children of loudest lead PTO parent from last year (2nd grader), twins of a teacher who teaches there (even when two kids are very very different from each other) and some others in the local AAP. We shall see........

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a connection. I know alot of PTA moms whose kids are not AAP.

+ 1

PTA board always has kids in AAP-

PTO Board Members are active in volunteering at the school. They are probably also active in their kids education which could very well mean that their kids are in enrichment programs and are advanced in their learning. Maybe they belong in AAP based on their grades, test scores, and the like.

Perhaps you are noticing more invested parents in the school who are probably also invested in their kids education. Perhaps the kids were in-pool and accepted. Perhaps the kids parents choose to parent refer because they wanted the extra challenge. Perhaps the Principal is handing out favors to favorite families. I would guess it is more of one and two then three.

[Anonymous]

In a center school, principal can’t hand out favors to favorite families. But then they can place them in Level III which is also pretty good. If there are boarder line scores, then the principal can prepare an excellent packet for submission to the central committee, make sure GBRS is great and boost the application file of PTA parents kids.
So, if you child is average and still
You want them to be in AAP then joining PTA helps but still there is no guarantee.
Instead of joining PTA just for AAP, I would spend that time on enrichment activities with my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a connection. I know alot of PTA moms whose kids are not AAP.

+ 1

PTA board always has kids in AAP-

PTO Board Members are active in volunteering at the school. They are probably also active in their kids education which could very well mean that their kids are in enrichment programs and are advanced in their learning. Maybe they belong in AAP based on their grades, test scores, and the like.

Perhaps you are noticing more invested parents in the school who are probably also invested in their kids education. Perhaps the kids were in-pool and accepted. Perhaps the kids parents choose to parent refer because they wanted the extra challenge. Perhaps the Principal is handing out favors to favorite families. I would guess it is more of one and two then three.

None of that has any bearing on whether or not a kid is gifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a connection. I know alot of PTA moms whose kids are not AAP.

+ 1

PTA board always has kids in AAP-

PTO Board Members are active in volunteering at the school. They are probably also active in their kids education which could very well mean that their kids are in enrichment programs and are advanced in their learning. Maybe they belong in AAP based on their grades, test scores, and the like.

Perhaps you are noticing more invested parents in the school who are probably also invested in their kids education. Perhaps the kids were in-pool and accepted. Perhaps the kids parents choose to parent refer because they wanted the extra challenge. Perhaps the Principal is handing out favors to favorite families. I would guess it is more of one and two then three.

None of that has any bearing on whether or not a kid is gifted.

AAP is not a gifted and talented program. It is an Advanced Academics program. Plenty of kids in AAP are not gifted but are, functionally ahead of their peers. AAP provides them advanced work that meets them where they are at. The Committee is looking for kids who need more then is offered in Gen Ed. It does not require that the kids are gifted, only advanced. So yes, enrichment matters because it does move kids ahead. FCPS is inundated with parents who read to their kids early, did some type of math enrichment, and took their kids to museums and battlefields and the like at an early age because of the types of jobs in the area. That will show up in test scores as well as their kid being in the higher math groups and reading groups. If you have an above average child who is moderately well behaved that is likely to translate into AAP either through Committee Selection or Principal placement.

And I would bet that parents who are volunteering with the PTA or Scout Troops (Girl or Boy) and in other activities are the same parents who are doing the above because the parents are actively involved in their kids schooling. So their above average intelligence kid probably gets good GBRS and ends up in AAP because they are ahead in many subjects.

Not every kid in AAP has the involved parent but I wouldn't be surprised if someone did a survey of AAP parents and asked about volunteer activities associated with their kids a large percentage checked off one or two activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a connection. I know alot of PTA moms whose kids are not AAP.

+ 1

PTA board always has kids in AAP-

PTO Board Members are active in volunteering at the school. They are probably also active in their kids education which could very well mean that their kids are in enrichment programs and are advanced in their learning. Maybe they belong in AAP based on their grades, test scores, and the like.

Perhaps you are noticing more invested parents in the school who are probably also invested in their kids education. Perhaps the kids were in-pool and accepted. Perhaps the kids parents choose to parent refer because they wanted the extra challenge. Perhaps the Principal is handing out favors to favorite families. I would guess it is more of one and two then three.

None of that has any bearing on whether or not a kid is gifted.

AAP is not a gifted and talented program. It is an Advanced Academics program. Plenty of kids in AAP are not gifted but are, functionally ahead of their peers. AAP provides them advanced work that meets them where they are at. The Committee is looking for kids who need more then is offered in Gen Ed. It does not require that the kids are gifted, only advanced. So yes, enrichment matters because it does move kids ahead. FCPS is inundated with parents who read to their kids early, did some type of math enrichment, and took their kids to museums and battlefields and the like at an early age because of the types of jobs in the area. That will show up in test scores as well as their kid being in the higher math groups and reading groups. If you have an above average child who is moderately well behaved that is likely to translate into AAP either through Committee Selection or Principal placement.

And I would bet that parents who are volunteering with the PTA or Scout Troops (Girl or Boy) and in other activities are the same parents who are doing the above because the parents are actively involved in their kids schooling. So their above average intelligence kid probably gets good GBRS and ends up in AAP because they are ahead in many subjects.

Not every kid in AAP has the involved parent but I wouldn't be surprised if someone did a survey of AAP parents and asked about volunteer activities associated with their kids a large percentage checked off one or two activities.

PTA means stay at home mom which may or may not correspond to above average intelligence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a connection. I know alot of PTA moms whose kids are not AAP.

+ 1

PTA board always has kids in AAP-

PTO Board Members are active in volunteering at the school. They are probably also active in their kids education which could very well mean that their kids are in enrichment programs and are advanced in their learning. Maybe they belong in AAP based on their grades, test scores, and the like.

Perhaps you are noticing more invested parents in the school who are probably also invested in their kids education. Perhaps the kids were in-pool and accepted. Perhaps the kids parents choose to parent refer because they wanted the extra challenge. Perhaps the Principal is handing out favors to favorite families. I would guess it is more of one and two then three.

None of that has any bearing on whether or not a kid is gifted.

AAP is not a gifted and talented program. It is an Advanced Academics program. Plenty of kids in AAP are not gifted but are, functionally ahead of their peers. AAP provides them advanced work that meets them where they are at. The Committee is looking for kids who need more then is offered in Gen Ed. It does not require that the kids are gifted, only advanced. So yes, enrichment matters because it does move kids ahead. FCPS is inundated with parents who read to their kids early, did some type of math enrichment, and took their kids to museums and battlefields and the like at an early age because of the types of jobs in the area. That will show up in test scores as well as their kid being in the higher math groups and reading groups. If you have an above average child who is moderately well behaved that is likely to translate into AAP either through Committee Selection or Principal placement.

And I would bet that parents who are volunteering with the PTA or Scout Troops (Girl or Boy) and in other activities are the same parents who are doing the above because the parents are actively involved in their kids schooling. So their above average intelligence kid probably gets good GBRS and ends up in AAP because they are ahead in many subjects.

Not every kid in AAP has the involved parent but I wouldn't be surprised if someone did a survey of AAP parents and asked about volunteer activities associated with their kids a large percentage checked off one or two activities.

Yes, AAP is the way that FCPS has chosen to implement their state-required GT program. It is a GT program that is for gifted kids and for academically advanced kids. Which is kinda neat, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PTA means stay at home mom which may or may not correspond to above average intelligence.

Wow, that is ugly.

PTA does not mean stay at home Mom, we have a good number of working Dads and Moms at my kids PTA. I am not involved with the PTA but I am with my kids Cub Scout Pack and I work. My Husband works and he coaches one of my kids sports team. Working parents can volunteer and be involved.

And a good number of stay at home parents are educated individuals who are choosing to stay at home because they think it is important. I know stay at home parents (Moms and Dads) who have engineering degrees. I don't know any stay at home parent in my neighborhood who has not completed at college degree.

Perhaps you need to revisit your biases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTA means stay at home mom which may or may not correspond to above average intelligence.

Wow, that is ugly.

PTA does not mean stay at home Mom, we have a good number of working Dads and Moms at my kids PTA. I am not involved with the PTA but I am with my kids Cub Scout Pack and I work. My Husband works and he coaches one of my kids sports team. Working parents can volunteer and be involved.

And a good number of stay at home parents are educated individuals who are choosing to stay at home because they think it is important. I know stay at home parents (Moms and Dads) who have engineering degrees. I don't know any stay at home parent in my neighborhood who has not completed at college degree.

Perhaps you need to revisit your biases.

Well said! The PP who posted PTA means stay at home moms was rude and biased.
First of all stay at home moms are not the ones who are below average and ones who can’t get a job. Many choose to be at home as they want to focus more on their families and don’t run after money and also have enough money though husband or family inheritance.
Actually some of the working moms are jealous of their kids can’t get in AAP. Working moms doesn’t mean advanced or gifted kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTA means stay at home mom which may or may not correspond to above average intelligence.

Wow, that is ugly.

PTA does not mean stay at home Mom, we have a good number of working Dads and Moms at my kids PTA. I am not involved with the PTA but I am with my kids Cub Scout Pack and I work. My Husband works and he coaches one of my kids sports team. Working parents can volunteer and be involved.

And a good number of stay at home parents are educated individuals who are choosing to stay at home because they think it is important. I know stay at home parents (Moms and Dads) who have engineering degrees. I don't know any stay at home parent in my neighborhood who has not completed at college degree.

Perhaps you need to revisit your biases.

Well said! The PP who posted PTA means stay at home moms was rude and biased.
First of all stay at home moms are not the ones who are below average and ones who can’t get a job. Many choose to be at home as they want to focus more on their families and don’t run after money and also have enough money though husband or family inheritance.
Actually some of the working moms are jealous of their kids can’t get in AAP. Working moms doesn’t mean advanced or gifted kids.

Sure, PTA is full of working parents able to attend 10:00 am coffee meetings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is a connection. I know alot of PTA moms whose kids are not AAP.

+ 1

PTA board always has kids in AAP-

PTO Board Members are active in volunteering at the school. They are probably also active in their kids education which could very well mean that their kids are in enrichment programs and are advanced in their learning. Maybe they belong in AAP based on their grades, test scores, and the like.

Perhaps you are noticing more invested parents in the school who are probably also invested in their kids education. Perhaps the kids were in-pool and accepted. Perhaps the kids parents choose to parent refer because they wanted the extra challenge. Perhaps the Principal is handing out favors to favorite families. I would guess it is more of one and two then three.

Not necessarily true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this is the case at our center.

Same.

Centers don't have Principal Placement so there would be less of a connection. I believe the bigger concern is at schools with Principal Placements, so the Local Level IV. The concern is that parents who are active in the PTA might have better connections with Teachers and the Principal and that could influence their kids placement in the LLIV program if the child was not selected by the Central Committee.

That concern is legit and it's absolutely true that there is a correlation between PTA and AAP.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In a center school, principal can’t hand out favors to favorite families. But then they can place them in Level III which is also pretty good. If there are boarder line scores, then the principal can prepare an excellent packet for submission to the central committee, make sure GBRS is great and boost the application file of PTA parents kids.
So, if you child is average and still
You want them to be in AAP then joining PTA helps but still there is no guarantee.
Instead of joining PTA just for AAP, I would spend that time on enrichment activities with my kid.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTA means stay at home mom which may or may not correspond to above average intelligence.

Wow, that is ugly.

PTA does not mean stay at home Mom, we have a good number of working Dads and Moms at my kids PTA. I am not involved with the PTA but I am with my kids Cub Scout Pack and I work. My Husband works and he coaches one of my kids sports team. Working parents can volunteer and be involved.

And a good number of stay at home parents are educated individuals who are choosing to stay at home because they think it is important. I know stay at home parents (Moms and Dads) who have engineering degrees. I don't know any stay at home parent in my neighborhood who has not completed at college degree.

Perhaps you need to revisit your biases.

Well said! The PP who posted PTA means stay at home moms was rude and biased.
First of all stay at home moms are not the ones who are below average and ones who can’t get a job. Many choose to be at home as they want to focus more on their families and don’t run after money and also have enough money though husband or family inheritance.
Actually some of the working moms are jealous of their kids can’t get in AAP. Working moms doesn’t mean advanced or gifted kids.

Sure, PTA is full of working parents able to attend 10:00 am coffee meetings

Our PTA meets at 7 PM.

[Anonymous]

I swear this comes up every month or two and I've probably posted this on two of those threads:

My guess if you see any correlation is that it is because parents who have the time and means to participate in the PTA also have the time and means to supplement their children's education, thus leading to the academic achievements required to get in to AAP.

So joining the PTA isn't going to get your kid into AAP, but hiring tutors and doing practice COGAT and NNAT tests will.