NNAT test - do you tell your child?

[Anonymous]

Why would a 1st grader need to know his/her score? There is no reason for that at all. I'd either tell my kid nothing or tell him/her that she did well. Nothing more. It's completely irrelevant to them at this point. At the end of 2nd grade when they get in -- it's relevant to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you tell your child that he or she will be taking an exam? I don't want DC to go to school with any stress. Or do you just not mention it?

Yes I told my child so they would know they would in the pool for the AAP center and could start preparing to leave their base school. They deserve to be prepared for the changes to come and to understand their difference between them and their current peers. Absolutely share their scores.

Could you elaborate on what you mean by "to understand the difference between them and their peers"?

I know, isn't that hilarious? Pretty sure it was a troll post.

[Anonymous]

I told them that taking a test was part of going to school, and that they would be taking the "big' test on Wednesday. No biggie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would a 1st grader need to know his/her score? There is no reason for that at all. I'd either tell my kid nothing or tell him/her that she did well. Nothing more. It's completely irrelevant to them at this point. At the end of 2nd grade when they get in -- it's relevant to them.

Completely agree with the first part, not telling a 1st grader, but I would also not tell my 2nd grader. That's when all the 2nd graders get together and start asking, "Are in you AAP??" "Did you get in?" and it's very upsetting for those who did not get in. I can only blame the parents for making such a big deal about it to their kids. If they were much more nonchalant about it, their kids would be too and wouldn't start feeding the whole AAP/GE division.

[Anonymous]

I mentioned in casually a few days in advance then didn't say anything the morning of. Didn't want him to stress. He said the test was fun.

[Anonymous]

My opinion... dont stress them (or yourself) out.

Didn't mention it or think about till 2nd grade when FXAT score arrived, which is the more consequential score. DC was close but not in in nnat but AT was strong and now in aap.

[Anonymous]

OMG - Please. Tell your child what it is - to see if they have the aptitude for AAP. Practice with them, order from Mercer. If you don't agree with me,t hen don't do it. But, please, please, do not tell me that preparing MY child for their academic future is cheating. Quite the contrary I will say, as not preparing your child is cheating them from their future.

[Anonymous]

My DD knew nothing about AAP until the 3rd grade open house, when a classmate from the previous year asked her the name of her new teacher. Upon hearing the teacher's name, the friend, looking very surprised, said to DD
"are you in AAP?"
to which DD responded innocently
"what's AAP?"
looking to me for an explanation.

The point I am trying to make here is that knowing about AAP doesn't make your kid more likely to be in AAP, as evidenced by DD's former classmate, who not only knew about AAP but also knew the names of the AAP teachers, and yet, was not in AAP herself. DD knew nothing about it (or tests, scores, cutoffs, pools etc.) and yet, she made it, no anxiety or stress whatsoever. Now, me on the other hand, well, that's a totally different story altogether

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would a 1st grader need to know his/her score? There is no reason for that at all. I'd either tell my kid nothing or tell him/her that she did well. Nothing more. It's completely irrelevant to them at this point. At the end of 2nd grade when they get in -- it's relevant to them.

Completely agree with the first part, not telling a 1st grader, but I would also not tell my 2nd grader. That's when all the 2nd graders get together and start asking, "Are in you AAP??" "Did you get in?" and it's very upsetting for those who did not get in. I can only blame the parents for making such a big deal about it to their kids. If they were much more nonchalant about it, their kids would be too and wouldn't start feeding the whole AAP/GE division.

I understand your point. IMO, it IS relevant to the kid at the end of 2nd grade b/c if they are going to AAP, they are going to be saying goodbye to their friends at their base school... or even if they are not saying goodbye, they might want to know that they are not coming back to that school in the fall. I'm not saying you have to tell them or that you have to make a big deal out of it. But, since there will be a significant change, it seems that when it's relevant (which doesn't apply if your base school is the AAP school).

DD was not in AAP and a lot of her friends "disappeared" at the end of 2nd grade.... including her best friend.

[Anonymous]

Clearly the best approach is to tell kids that your friend is going off to the school for good little boys and girls. You are stuck with the second rate losers.

Oh wait, that is what people on here think.

Just tell them some kids are going to schools better focused on the way they learn. That simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:or even if they are not saying goodbye, they might want to know that they are not coming back to that school in the fall.

Does not sound much different than if a child were switching from public to parochial school or private school.

[Anonymous]

Read Jay Mathews today. Your kids are better off in gen ed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read Jay Mathews today. Your kids are better off in gen ed.

I just read it and was about to start a post. Interesting. The question is whether AAP actually allows for greater freedom or thought or whether it is just an accellerated pace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:or even if they are not saying goodbye, they might want to know that they are not coming back to that school in the fall.

Does not sound much different than if a child were switching from public to parochial school or private school.

Right -- wouldn't you tell your kid if you are switching them to private? Wouldn't they want to tell their friends that they won't see them next year? Seems to me that's the time it is relevant... when you know the kid is going to a different school. Otherwise, it's not relevant for the kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read Jay Mathews today. Your kids are better off in gen ed.

Her kids might very well be better off in Gen Ed, but Jay Mathews is full of it. Anyone familiar with his school ranking system will agree.