AAP perspective - am I making too big a deal about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, AAP has been so blown out of proportion that parents of younger kids feel there's no way but the AAP highway. You're absolutely right that this is no big deal. Your friend has the right perspective, for sure. Once elementary school is over, no one will care or remember whether your daughter was in AAP. Trust me, as a mom of very successful older students, one of whom was in AAP and two others who were not: AAP is not a game-changer in any way.

OP here. Thank you for the intelligent and mature response. I think I do need to be reigned in. It's very easy to get caught up in all the nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Also have to keep in perspective that it's about what your child needs and how child will fit in the program, even if the child qualifies.
It shouldn't be about bragging rights or moving heaven and earth to get your child in if it's not going to be a good fit.
You want your child to be where your child will shine, whether it's in AAP or Gen Ed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, AAP has been so blown out of proportion that parents of younger kids feel there's no way but the AAP highway. You're absolutely right that this is no big deal. Your friend has the right perspective, for sure. Once elementary school is over, no one will care or remember whether your daughter was in AAP. Trust me, as a mom of very successful older students, one of whom was in AAP and two others who were not: AAP is not a game-changer in any way.

OP here. Thank you for the intelligent and mature response. I think I do need to be reigned in. It's very easy to get caught up in all the nonsense.

this is what I don't get. They send you a score and if its above a certain level, they do a GBRS. Then they let you know if you are accepted into AAP. Your only decision is whether to go or not. So what's all this "nonsense" you're talking about? We did nothing at all - and DC is finishing AAP in middle school. Glad we chose that route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, AAP has been so blown out of proportion that parents of younger kids feel there's no way but the AAP highway. You're absolutely right that this is no big deal. Your friend has the right perspective, for sure. Once elementary school is over, no one will care or remember whether your daughter was in AAP. Trust me, as a mom of very successful older students, one of whom was in AAP and two others who were not: AAP is not a game-changer in any way.

I disagree 1000% My student was repeating material from K in 1st, K in 2nd, K in 3rd...when they call it base, they are not kidding.

The point was that once the kids are in high school, there is no difference between kids who were in AAP and those who were not. NONE.

sure there is. The AAP kids got a lot more advanced education. They are ahead by at least a year if not more at that point.

The only subject in which the AAP classes are ahead a year would be math, and the advanced math curriculum is available to students in the regular classes as well. The other subjects follow the same curriculum in the AAP and regular classes, it is simply taught differently in the AAP classes. Some kids will learn better when taught in an AAP classroom, some will learn better in the regular classroom. What matters is that the child is in the learning environment best suited to his or her needs, whether that is the AAP or the regular classroom.

[Anonymous]

^ your kid can go to gen ed and do fine. Or AAP. If you get the choice, I'd take the AAP. If not, it's kinda a moot point now innit?

[Anonymous]

AAP is important to those parents who think their children really need more challenge. I don't think you're crazy for caring about it. But you have to be careful about talking to everyone about it because not everyone wants or needs this for their child.

and to PP, you are correct that by high school all kids can take the same courses. But it doesn't mean their is no difference in the educational experience of those children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, AAP has been so blown out of proportion that parents of younger kids feel there's no way but the AAP highway. You're absolutely right that this is no big deal. Your friend has the right perspective, for sure. Once elementary school is over, no one will care or remember whether your daughter was in AAP. Trust me, as a mom of very successful older students, one of whom was in AAP and two others who were not: AAP is not a game-changer in any way.

I disagree 1000% My student was repeating material from K in 1st, K in 2nd, K in 3rd...when they call it base, they are not kidding.

The point was that once the kids are in high school, there is no difference between kids who were in AAP and those who were not. NONE.

sure there is. The AAP kids got a lot more advanced education. They are ahead by at least a year if not more at that point.

The only subject in which the AAP classes are ahead a year would be math, and the advanced math curriculum is available to students in the regular classes as well. The other subjects follow the same curriculum in the AAP and regular classes, it is simply taught differently in the AAP classes. Some kids will learn better when taught in an AAP classroom, some will learn better in the regular classroom. What matters is that the child is in the learning environment best suited to his or her needs, whether that is the AAP or the regular classroom.

+100 Once honors and AP classes are available to all, in middle and high school, the playing field evens out. As much as parents of AAP students don't want to hear it, AAP has no bearing on high school success. In fact, many AAP kids are burned out by then, while a lot of previously Gen Ed kids are just hitting their stride. Things have a way of evening out. It's really much ado about nothing.

[Anonymous]

I have to say so many of you on this AAP thread are just plain mean! AAP or Not I am just grateful that I don't know you and pray our paths never cross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say so many of you on this AAP thread are just plain mean! AAP or Not I am just grateful that I don't know you and pray our paths never cross.

You have to separate the real people from the trolls.

AAP parents are an easy target because they either get very emotional or very sanctimonious.

The posters here bring out the trolls in full force.

The mean and crazy people are most likely trolls trying to stir the pot. Don't take them seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, AAP has been so blown out of proportion that parents of younger kids feel there's no way but the AAP highway. You're absolutely right that this is no big deal. Your friend has the right perspective, for sure. Once elementary school is over, no one will care or remember whether your daughter was in AAP. Trust me, as a mom of very successful older students, one of whom was in AAP and two others who were not: AAP is not a game-changer in any way.

I disagree 1000% My student was repeating material from K in 1st, K in 2nd, K in 3rd...when they call it base, they are not kidding.

The point was that once the kids are in high school, there is no difference between kids who were in AAP and those who were not. NONE.

sure there is. The AAP kids got a lot more advanced education. They are ahead by at least a year if not more at that point.

The only subject in which the AAP classes are ahead a year would be math, and the advanced math curriculum is available to students in the regular classes as well. The other subjects follow the same curriculum in the AAP and regular classes, it is simply taught differently in the AAP classes. Some kids will learn better when taught in an AAP classroom, some will learn better in the regular classroom. What matters is that the child is in the learning environment best suited to his or her needs, whether that is the AAP or the regular classroom.

+100 Once honors and AP classes are available to all, in middle and high school, the playing field evens out. As much as parents of AAP students don't want to hear it, AAP has no bearing on high school success. In fact, many AAP kids are burned out by then, while a lot of previously Gen Ed kids are just hitting their stride. Things have a way of evening out. It's really much ado about nothing.

Yep - it is true. In fact the truth comes out and many of those AAP kids can't hack it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say so many of you on this AAP thread are just plain mean! AAP or Not I am just grateful that I don't know you and pray our paths never cross.

You have to separate the real people from the trolls.

AAP parents are an easy target because they either get very emotional or very sanctimonious.

The posters here bring out the trolls in full force.

The mean and crazy people are most likely trolls trying to stir the pot. Don't take them seriously.

I'm curious which posts you feel were written by trolls? I've seen some very valid viewpoints on this thread and absolutely nothing mean. Please enlighten us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say so many of you on this AAP thread are just plain mean! AAP or Not I am just grateful that I don't know you and pray our paths never cross.

??? What are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest child is too young to be going through the AAP drama yet (he's in 1st grade) but we already know that we'll turn down AAP should it be offered. He's in one of the local spanish immersion programs, and I think learning a second language is faaaarrrr more important than anything he could get out of AAP.

+1 A second language is a life long skill. I can't say extra math in 5th grade is going to be used when you are an adult.
It's actually great fun to say that you turned down AAP. Sometimes I leave off the fact that we are in a language immersion school, just to watch the parents squirm. Most parents jaws drop too when I say I don't speak the language that my kids studies - so my kids do their homework - I literately cannot help them.

[Anonymous]

You are not crazy to be focused on it. You are asking others because you are looking for support. Parents need others to confide in.

[Anonymous]

My child is in 3rd grade AAP at a center. We wish we had stayed at our base school. AAP is not all it's cracked up to be. Most of these AAP kids will be so burned out by middle school.

It's not that the work is that much harder than Gen. Ed., but the amount of pressure the teachers put on these little kids is crazy. Also, in our experience, the kids are generally nicer at the base school.