How many "in pool" 2nd grade students in FCPS DON'T get into the AAP center?

[Anonymous]

PP, I'm glad your DD got in and it sounds like she should be there. My only issue with your comment is that the teachers are the "least biased." I think there can be cases in which a teacher just doesn't like a child and that gets in the way.

My DC is at an AAP center. There are lots of "quirky" (read annoying) kids there, but they absolutely belong there (and they contribute a lot). I could see some teacher just not understanding that type of child and not recommending them for the center.

Also, FWIW, at our school, the teacher is not on the GBRS board -- only the principal, counselor and AART. It's possible (as in our case) that none of those individuals could pick your child out of a lineup. It's fascinating to me that people who aren't even sure which child mine is were able to determine DC's fate.

[Anonymous]

In our case, at a gt center, the AAP despise teacher was also Teaching second grade math, which helps. She also consulted the the 2nd grade teacher. As for the teacher being the least biased, I am nOt saying they are not biased, but probably have less bias than anyone else who regularly interacts with the children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, FWIW, at our school, the teacher is not on the GBRS board -- only the principal, counselor and AART. It's possible (as in our case) that none of those individuals could pick your child out of a lineup. It's fascinating to me that people who aren't even sure which child mine is were able to determine DC's fate.

According to this(clicky) , the teacher should be included on the GBRS board:

The current schools of students in the 13% pool compile a screening file, which includes a summary sheet, the school's Gifted Behavior Rating Scale (usually done largely by the second grade teacher), test results, two years of report cards, and an optional parent questionnaire. In the last couple years, FCPS staff have said that about 60% to 70% of the students in this 13% pool were admitted to the GT Center program.

[Anonymous]

I think that the best thing you can do is prepare some extra materials that highlight some of your child's "thinking" whether it be a photo of some project, something written, a letter from a coach or teacher, anecdotes about how they could answer some esoteric question, how they have some deep interest in some subject, prefer the company of older children who they relate to better, etc. We found it pretty easy to add some information that shows a "gt" child has a need for deeper thought in school. Most kids show some pretty strong indicators - even those who may seem under the radar.

It's always a good idea to have something to counterbalance a GBRS score that you aren't sure about.

[Anonymous]

I am PP 22:59.
At our base school the AA teacher claimed the only children going to the center should be the ones with no children to relate to - I think she even used the word geeks.
My daughter is very quiet and I think the teacher was surprised she was in the pool. I think the GBRS is very subjective and I don't think it should keep a child out of the program
if they have the test scores, but I believe it kept my daughter out. The AA teacher and her 2nd grade teacher were so uncooperative. I would encourage doing the WISC if you are worried about the GBRS and believe your child belongs at the center. Save it for appeal just in case....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
And ONE MORE THING I'm pretty sure my 2nd grader won't be picked up for the full time program. Long story short, he topped out the NNAT but his COGat wasn't all that great. He also isn't reading or doing math at grade level and he has some significant behavior issues.

I don't really care about the full time placement but I do hope his school will start pulling him out for some special classes. He thrives on doing projects and getting 1:1 time. It might be The Turning Point for him.


Not true .... some kids are more visually inclined and some are not . My son topped out COGAT and was below the cutoff on NNAT and made it to GT . Our daughter has topped out NNAT and COGAT is not as high but still made it to the pool.

Hope your kid makes it to the Level IV

WHY do you hope her child gets into Level IV?? He scored well on one test but is not reading or doing math at grade level. The program is called advanced academic placement. This child does not sound advanced academically - he's not even at grade level in the 2 most important subjects. This is not a dig on this child; it's just that we need to keep in mind what the Center is intended for. Hopefully this child can benefit from some pull-outs in areas he needs them, but he is not going to thrive in the Center doing compacted math if he's struggling to do grade-level math in 2nd grade. There is a reason not every child in the pool is placed in the Center. Some kids test into the pool but overall the Center would not be a good fit for them.