Falls Church City schools gifted program

[Anonymous]

My FCPS AAP 3rd grader had 20 kids in her center class this year.

[Anonymous]

And our 4th grade LLIV program had 34 kids. I completely don't understand FCPS's class size policies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And our 4th grade LLIV program had 34 kids. I completely don't understand FCPS's class size policies.

Class sizes might depend on whether a school is a Title I school. Title schools have smaller class sizes. I also think that when you have a class of high achieving kids, class size isn't as big of a deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCC: pullout 1x/week, puzzles and projects. If you're looking for differentiated instruction, you won't get it. In FCC kids, TAAP or not, aren't separated by ability until grade 6. Go AAP for true GT.

What does this mean exactly? There is no differentiation at all until 6th grade? No separate math or reading groups within the classroom? I would find that very surprising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And our 4th grade LLIV program had 34 kids. I completely don't understand FCPS's class size policies.

Class sizes might depend on whether a school is a Title I school. Title schools have smaller class sizes. I also think that when you have a class of high achieving kids, class size isn't as big of a deal.

Actually, it was a title I AAP center school that our 3rd grader attended when there were 30 kids in the 3rd grade AAP class. (and a teacher who was incompetent and had moved from teaching the rnon-AAP classes). The non-AAP classes did have about 17-22 kids per class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCC: pullout 1x/week, puzzles and projects. If you're looking for differentiated instruction, you won't get it. In FCC kids, TAAP or not, aren't separated by ability until grade 6. Go AAP for true GT.

What does this mean exactly? There is no differentiation at all until 6th grade? No separate math or reading groups within the classroom? I would find that very surprising.

Separate within the classroom, but that's it. You won't get a classroom of kids working a grade or two ahead. No "high" classes until 6th.

[Anonymous]

There was a parent meeting last night, about the FCCPS gifted and talented program (which starts in 3rd grade now). Anyone have any details?

[Anonymous]

http://aspaceforace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/ace-gifted-parent-night-10-16-13.pdf

[Anonymous]

So is this replacing TAAP?

[Anonymous]

yes

[Anonymous]

OP, your DC was in a gifted program in the UK but is just now in 1st grade? The UK has a "gifted" kindergarten program??

Well, if that is indeed so, sounds like you'll be sadly disappointed with what we have here. I'd recommend FCPS, by far the strongest program, but then you'd be under attack for being "elitist" on these boards.