(AAP) All About Prepping?

[Anonymous]

Parents see a system waiting to be gamed, so they game it and pat themselves on the back that they have a smart little snowflake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New acronym for AAP seeing how many low NNAT's followed by significantly higher CoGat's have been accepted this year. Not to rain on anyone's parade or dampen anyone's proud moment. Just advice for anyone who wants their child in the program next year - prep a little and get a WISC if needed. Also, stop calling it GT - few of our kids in this program (including DC) are truly gifted. I feel bad that those bright kids who aren't prepped or whose parents don't persevere don't get the same academic opportunities.

This is truth, anyway. It's just a different kind of tracking -- it's not gifted education, and the kids by and large aren't really gifted.

But, it matters one whole hell of a lot to status-conscious parents.

Isn't something like 70 percent of FFX kids in pool now?

this is a gross exaggeration

There are approximately 13,000 2nd graders in FCPS and approximately 2500 were in the pool. That is about 20%.
It has been said in years past that an estimated 60-70% of those kids are found eligible.

I think the point is that 20% of Fairfax County kids scored in th top 2% nationally. I think statistically it seems odd.

As mentioned before, not all of the kids in the pool scored in the top 2%. Also, Fairfax kids score 100 points over the national average on the SAT; lots of smart families/kids in this area. Doesn't seem that odd to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New acronym for AAP seeing how many low NNAT's followed by significantly higher CoGat's have been accepted this year. Not to rain on anyone's parade or dampen anyone's proud moment. Just advice for anyone who wants their child in the program next year - prep a little and get a WISC if needed. Also, stop calling it GT - few of our kids in this program (including DC) are truly gifted. I feel bad that those bright kids who aren't prepped or whose parents don't persevere don't get the same academic opportunities.

This is truth, anyway. It's just a different kind of tracking -- it's not gifted education, and the kids by and large aren't really gifted.

But, it matters one whole hell of a lot to status-conscious parents.

Isn't something like 70 percent of FFX kids in pool now?

this is a gross exaggeration

There are approximately 13,000 2nd graders in FCPS and approximately 2500 were in the pool. That is about 20%.
It has been said in years past that an estimated 60-70% of those kids are found eligible.

I think the point is that 20% of Fairfax County kids scored in th top 2% nationally. I think statistically it seems odd.

As mentioned before, not all of the kids in the pool scored in the top 2%. Also, Fairfax kids score 100 points over the national average on the SAT; lots of smart families/kids in this area. Doesn't seem that odd to me.

Also, those tests are not all abut being smart. They show a child's exposure to various concepts. High SES correlates with high test scores. There are many wealthy families around here who expose their children to a lot of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New acronym for AAP seeing how many low NNAT's followed by significantly higher CoGat's have been accepted this year. Not to rain on anyone's parade or dampen anyone's proud moment. Just advice for anyone who wants their child in the program next year - prep a little and get a WISC if needed. Also, stop calling it GT - few of our kids in this program (including DC) are truly gifted. I feel bad that those bright kids who aren't prepped or whose parents don't persevere don't get the same academic opportunities.

This is truth, anyway. It's just a different kind of tracking -- it's not gifted education, and the kids by and large aren't really gifted.

But, it matters one whole hell of a lot to status-conscious parents.

Isn't something like 70 percent of FFX kids in pool now?

this is a gross exaggeration

There are approximately 13,000 2nd graders in FCPS and approximately 2500 were in the pool. That is about 20%.
It has been said in years past that an estimated 60-70% of those kids are found eligible.

I think the point is that 20% of Fairfax County kids scored in th top 2% nationally. I think statistically it seems odd.

I don't find this odd. The dc metro area has the highest number of advanced degrees in the country and fix is what, the second or third wealthiest? Iq is both inherited and environmental and on both counts this intelligent, wealthy demographic is well ahead of the norm.

[Anonymous]

Until, I read this forum, I didn't know that people prepped their kids for the CogAts. Sound like cheating to me, and it defeats the whole purpose of the thing. I guess that's a lesson in how competitive some people are. I wonder how well the prepped kids do in the program compared with those who rock the test without prepping. My son got in and the only prepping we did was what the teacher suggested - make sure he gets plenty of sleep the night before and eats a good breakfast on the morning of.

[Anonymous]

I think the whole aap is ridiculous! How can anyone tell if a second grader had potential for gifted ness? Absurd.
We have created a social system and nothing more. My kids at the center school are not smarter or brighter, but they think they are!

Let's have aap start in 6th grade, because really, how much is a third grader going to gain by simply thinking they are smarter than everyone else. THey only learn that they must be even more entitled!

FCPS should be ashamed. What are they doing?

[Anonymous]

I heard that some schools prep kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole aap is ridiculous! How can anyone tell if a second grader had potential for gifted ness? Absurd.
We have created a social system and nothing more. My kids at the center school are not smarter or brighter, but they think they are!

Let's have aap start in 6th grade, because really, how much is a third grader going to gain by simply thinking they are smarter than everyone else. THey only learn that they must be even more entitled!

FCPS should be ashamed. What are they doing?

FCPS is doing the same thing as every other school district in the United States, giving an opportunity for students with high potential ability an opportunity to access an advanced curriculum. I have one child in AAP, two in Regular Ed, and one in Special Ed. The one in AAP needs advanced courses just like the one in Spec Ed needs modified courses. No different. The two in General Ed are doing great with the standard courses. I really don't see what people are complaining about.
AAP is not an elitist idea, the process makes it seem that way, that's for sure. But honestly folks, if you can see how a child with a learning disability needs their an individualized education plan, then why can't you see that a child with a mind like a sponge who can learn two grades at a time needs specialized instruction as well.
When we were kids they had advanced students skip a grade. Eventually teachers began to understand the negative toll those children suffered socially. Now, they have a place where those students can go, learn beyond their grade without feeling weird or different. I think it's a great plan. Not perfect, but better than sitting in a classroom bored out of their mind which often encourages behavior problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole aap is ridiculous! How can anyone tell if a second grader had potential for gifted ness? Absurd.
We have created a social system and nothing more. My kids at the center school are not smarter or brighter, but they think they are!

Let's have aap start in 6th grade, because really, how much is a third grader going to gain by simply thinking they are smarter than everyone else. THey only learn that they must be even more entitled!

FCPS should be ashamed. What are they doing?

I think you completely lack a basic understanding of giftedness in children.

Your kids must be the type of student who would flourish in the regular classroom or and AAP classroom, and they probably don't need the differentiated instruction in the way that other AAP kids might. I bet they are bright, hard working students and a joy to have in class. But for you to make that kind of statement, it is obvious that you have no experience watching a highly or profoundly gifted child struggle to find his or her way in a traditional class setting that moves at a normal pace.

It is very similar to meeting the needs of a child with lerning disabilities, just on the other ends of the spectrum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole aap is ridiculous! How can anyone tell if a second grader had potential for gifted ness? Absurd.
We have created a social system and nothing more. My kids at the center school are not smarter or brighter, but they think they are!

Let's have aap start in 6th grade, because really, how much is a third grader going to gain by simply thinking they are smarter than everyone else. THey only learn that they must be even more entitled!

FCPS should be ashamed. What are they doing?

I think you completely lack a basic understanding of giftedness in children.

Your kids must be the type of student who would flourish in the regular classroom or and AAP classroom, and they probably don't need the differentiated instruction in the way that other AAP kids might. I bet they are bright, hard working students and a joy to have in class. But for you to make that kind of statement, it is obvious that you have no experience watching a highly or profoundly gifted child struggle to find his or her way in a traditional class setting that moves at a normal pace.

It is very similar to meeting the needs of a child with lerning disabilities, just on the other ends of the spectrum.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole aap is ridiculous! How can anyone tell if a second grader had potential for gifted ness? Absurd.
We have created a social system and nothing more. My kids at the center school are not smarter or brighter, but they think they are!

Let's have aap start in 6th grade, because really, how much is a third grader going to gain by simply thinking they are smarter than everyone else. THey only learn that they must be even more entitled!

FCPS should be ashamed. What are they doing?

FCPS is doing the same thing as every other school district in the United States, giving an opportunity for students with high potential ability an opportunity to access an advanced curriculum. I have one child in AAP, two in Regular Ed, and one in Special Ed. The one in AAP needs advanced courses just like the one in Spec Ed needs modified courses. No different. The two in General Ed are doing great with the standard courses. I really don't see what people are complaining about.
AAP is not an elitist idea, the process makes it seem that way, that's for sure. But honestly folks, if you can see how a child with a learning disability needs their an individualized education plan, then why can't you see that a child with a mind like a sponge who can learn two grades at a time needs specialized instruction as well.
When we were kids they had advanced students skip a grade. Eventually teachers began to understand the negative toll those children suffered socially. Now, they have a place where those students can go, learn beyond their grade without feeling weird or different. I think it's a great plan. Not perfect, but better than sitting in a classroom bored out of their mind which often encourages behavior problems.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole aap is ridiculous! How can anyone tell if a second grader had potential for gifted ness? Absurd.
We have created a social system and nothing more. My kids at the center school are not smarter or brighter, but they think they are!

Let's have aap start in 6th grade, because really, how much is a third grader going to gain by simply thinking they are smarter than everyone else. THey only learn that they must be even more entitled!

FCPS should be ashamed. What are they doing?

Yet you send your children to the center?

[Anonymous]

Hello:

This is very true that, people are sending their kids to prep classes. I live in Herndon, and I have seen all my friends are sending their daughters and sons, to Sunshine academy for summer classes. This is particularly common in chinese, Korean and somewhat in Indian families.

I have seen the tests and there is no doubt that with practice, one can improve the test result. If someone disagrees it is sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole aap is ridiculous! How can anyone tell if a second grader had potential for gifted ness? Absurd.
We have created a social system and nothing more. My kids at the center school are not smarter or brighter, but they think they are!

Let's have aap start in 6th grade, because really, how much is a third grader going to gain by simply thinking they are smarter than everyone else. THey only learn that they must be even more entitled!

FCPS should be ashamed. What are they doing?

FCPS is doing the same thing as every other school district in the United States, giving an opportunity for students with high potential ability an opportunity to access an advanced curriculum. I have one child in AAP, two in Regular Ed, and one in Special Ed. The one in AAP needs advanced courses just like the one in Spec Ed needs modified courses. No different. The two in General Ed are doing great with the standard courses. I really don't see what people are complaining about.
AAP is not an elitist idea, the process makes it seem that way, that's for sure. But honestly folks, if you can see how a child with a learning disability needs their an individualized education plan, then why can't you see that a child with a mind like a sponge who can learn two grades at a time needs specialized instruction as well.
When we were kids they had advanced students skip a grade. Eventually teachers began to understand the negative toll those children suffered socially. Now, they have a place where those students can go, learn beyond their grade without feeling weird or different. I think it's a great plan. Not perfect, but better than sitting in a classroom bored out of their mind which often encourages behavior problems.

+1

[list]The problem here is not the children "who can learn two grades at a time" it is the children who can't but are still being afforded the advanced curriculum. Other "smart" children are not getting this opportunity because for whatever reason their child was not admitted to the AAP center. I have been told the AAP center is not a truly "advanced curriculum" but the same curriculum, maybe at a faster pace, but mostly with more hands on learning. Are there not other children, not in the AAP program, who could benifit this type of curriculum?

Put the truly "two grades at one time" children in an advanced program but meet the others in a place where all children can benifit and stop the "better than thow", "smarter than yours" enviornment. Bring advance, hands-on, etc..., classes into all schools. And, don't scream "tracking" here, parents, and teachers, it is only tracking when children who could, are not being allowed - like the current AAP program

Another issue I see with the AAP program is the parents who are leading their children to believe they are "smarter" than others and breeding a culture of "judgement" and "non-acceptance". It is really sad to see such young children being led in this direction. This is not to say "all" AAP parents are doing this but there is a large contengency who do. As a parent without AAP children, I feel it within the parent groups. Many, many parents have said to me recently that they have pulled their children out of the AAP center because of this enviornment and the AAP center administration does nothing to curtail it within the center schools.

Yes Fairfax county needs to correct this situation sooner than later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Yes Fairfax county needs to correct this situation sooner than later.

The real fix is not at the county level, but No Child Left Behind. For the school funding, the kids have to pass the test.
So, instead of accelerating the pace, the kids go into more depth.