Some parents need to cool it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's nothing compared to the pressure of making the travel teams in sports.

It's part of growing up. Other kids & their parents have different priorities. Raise your kid, others will raise theirs, time will tell who wins.

Quit worrying about what other people do and focus on your own priorities...that's a life lesson really.

So your parenting really is a competition then?

btw, don't know what your experience has been with travel sports, but the one thing I think is very similar between sports tryouts and AAP is that there is always a group of kids who are obvious shoe-in because of talent or intelligence. they typically tend to have the least pushy parents. the pressure is more on the kids (and parents) who fear they might not make the cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's nothing compared to the pressure of making the travel teams in sports.

It's part of growing up. Other kids & their parents have different priorities. Raise your kid, others will raise theirs, time will tell who wins.

Quit worrying about what other people do and focus on your own priorities...that's a life lesson really.

I agree with your last paragraph, but unfortunately FCPS has made it difficult to do this with the over - emphasis on AAP. Kids who would otherwise not give it a second thought are being inundated with constant discussion of test scores and "who's in, who's out," coming from parents and peers alike. It's really become a huge circus and I can't wait until my kids are out of this environment.

No, FCPS is not the problem. It's the PARENTS who feel like their snowflake will melt away if they don't get into the AAP center. They have bright kids whose needs are being met in the gen ed class, but somehow the parents are obsessed with doing anything and everything to get their child into AAP.

--FCPS teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's nothing compared to the pressure of making the travel teams in sports.

It's part of growing up. Other kids & their parents have different priorities. Raise your kid, others will raise theirs, time will tell who wins.

Quit worrying about what other people do and focus on your own priorities...that's a life lesson really.

I agree with your last paragraph, but unfortunately FCPS has made it difficult to do this with the over - emphasis on AAP. Kids who would otherwise not give it a second thought are being inundated with constant discussion of test scores and "who's in, who's out," coming from parents and peers alike. It's really become a huge circus and I can't wait until my kids are out of this environment.

No, FCPS is not the problem. It's the PARENTS who feel like their snowflake will melt away if they don't get into the AAP center. They have bright kids whose needs are being met in the gen ed class, but somehow the parents are obsessed with doing anything and everything to get their child into AAP.

--FCPS teacher

I'm the PP and I completely agree with you that the parents are a huge part of this problem. However, it's FCPS who has allowed the system to become as bloated as it is by constantly catering to these parents and their many demands. So I'd have to say that unless FCPS changes its policies to make AAP admittance either much more stringent - or opens AAP up to anyone who chooses it - then they're the ones who created this mess in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's nothing compared to the pressure of making the travel teams in sports.

It's part of growing up. Other kids & their parents have different priorities. Raise your kid, others will raise theirs, time will tell who wins.

Quit worrying about what other people do and focus on your own priorities...that's a life lesson really.

I agree with your last paragraph, but unfortunately FCPS has made it difficult to do this with the over - emphasis on AAP. Kids who would otherwise not give it a second thought are being inundated with constant discussion of test scores and "who's in, who's out," coming from parents and peers alike. It's really become a huge circus and I can't wait until my kids are out of this environment.

No, FCPS is not the problem. It's the PARENTS who feel like their snowflake will melt away if they don't get into the AAP center. They have bright kids whose needs are being met in the gen ed class, but somehow the parents are obsessed with doing anything and everything to get their child into AAP.

--FCPS teacher

I'm the PP and I completely agree with you that the parents are a huge part of this problem. However, it's FCPS who has allowed the system to become as bloated as it is by constantly catering to these parents and their many demands. So I'd have to say that unless FCPS changes its policies to make AAP admittance either much more stringent - or opens AAP up to anyone who chooses it - then they're the ones who created this mess in the first place.

+100 Agree with both PPs, but especially last one as onus is on FCPS to reign this in.

[Anonymous]

I have known several people with solidly average scoring kids who lobbied like mad to get their kids into AAP so they would make the "right" friends. Two out of 3 got their kid in and bragged like they themselves had just won the Olympics. One of those kids has already left AAP because she was miserable and her friends there stressed her out more than influencing her to work harder. Another is there struggling and unhappy, but mom and dad aren't budging. It's insane.

We want our kids to enjoy learning and have fond memories of school. Neither of my kids are in AAP because I don't think they belong there. One scored quite high on the NNAT, but not on the CogAt and I had no interest in pushing for AAP. There is a perfectly nice peer group in general ed, they do provide enrichment as needed and DC is HAPPY and enjoying learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The center in question already is ridiculously unwieldy. 270 kids over capacity qualifies.

Poplar Tree is already slated as a new center, and a Colin Powell is mentioned in the capital improvement plan document as the next school to get a center.

But frankly, most of the kids being driven by their parents into this program are little more than slightly smarter than average. It is no longer a real "gifted" program.

Absolutely correct. No one considers it a "gifted" program anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I have known several people with solidly average scoring kids who lobbied like mad to get their kids into AAP so they would make the "right" friends. Two out of 3 got their kid in and bragged like they themselves had just won the Olympics. One of those kids has already left AAP because she was miserable and her friends there stressed her out more than influencing her to work harder. Another is there struggling and unhappy, but mom and dad aren't budging. It's insane.

We want our kids to enjoy learning and have fond memories of school. Neither of my kids are in AAP because I don't think they belong there. One scored quite high on the NNAT, but not on the CogAt and I had no interest in pushing for AAP. There is a perfectly nice peer group in general ed, they do provide enrichment as needed and DC is HAPPY and enjoying learning.

+1
I think everyone knows kids who have been unnecessarily pushed into AAP. At our center, there are a ton of those kids. I agree, general ed offers a really nice group of children and everyone seems a lot happier and less stressed out.

[Anonymous]

OP, let me guess your school. Colin Powell? That's our school and it sounds so familiar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, let me guess your school. Colin Powell? That's our school and it sounds so familiar.

NP. Funny - I was thinking the same thing. Are there other schools with LLIV that send almost all of their center-eligible kids to a center year after year? I'm assuming yes but was just wondering.

[Anonymous]

NP: New to this particular index (AAP) as my DCs are now in HS and I'm visiting DCUM for some other school related topic, and I'm surprised how much chatters there are regarding AAP at FCPS!

Both of my DCs started AAP in 3rd grade and I was always under the impression that one can't prepare for these testings but apparently I stand corrected. From my own reference with two separate kids, I'd seen children that were borderline getting into AAP (ie parents persistently lobbing etc) usually had a little harder time than kids that made it into the program outright. Now if you feel it's more important for your DC to be in the company to be challenged and you will be okay with Bs or 3s, then go for it! There's nothing wrong with that at all. But if you or your DC have to work pretty hard just to get accepted into the program, and you're expecting nothing but excellent grades, you might want to think twice about pushing DC into the AAP. AAP move at a lot faster pace immediately starting third grade, and throughout.

I do find that kids that have done well in AAP have one thing in common, and that's their ability to focus and follow instructions. They might be "smart", but it's "focus" that drives them to succeed at that age. These kids usually can finished their assignments quickly and retain the information well. Example I can give you is that one of my DC's mom asked me once how long it took my DC to finished a particular assignment, and I said about 30 min and on his own. She then told me it took her child over two hours and that's with her sitting next to him "making" him finished the project timely! Apparently that's their ritual every night.

The teachers are teaching the "majority" of the students and will move right along. So for those with kids that are on the fence of the cut, just keep that in mind. As long as you are willing and ready to do some home interventions when needed, than I believe your DC will do just fine in AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I have known several people with solidly average scoring kids who lobbied like mad to get their kids into AAP so they would make the "right" friends. Two out of 3 got their kid in and bragged like they themselves had just won the Olympics. One of those kids has already left AAP because she was miserable and her friends there stressed her out more than influencing her to work harder. Another is there struggling and unhappy, but mom and dad aren't budging. It's insane.

We want our kids to enjoy learning and have fond memories of school. Neither of my kids are in AAP because I don't think they belong there. One scored quite high on the NNAT, but not on the CogAt and I had no interest in pushing for AAP. There is a perfectly nice peer group in general ed, they do provide enrichment as needed and DC is HAPPY and enjoying learning.

Scores are one piece of it. I assume the kids were balanced out he other pieces. I know lots of in and out of pool kids who were admitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP: New to this particular index (AAP) as my DCs are now in HS and I'm visiting DCUM for some other school related topic, and I'm surprised how much chatters there are regarding AAP at FCPS!

Both of my DCs started AAP in 3rd grade and I was always under the impression that one can't prepare for these testings but apparently I stand corrected. From my own reference with two separate kids, I'd seen children that were borderline getting into AAP (ie parents persistently lobbing etc) usually had a little harder time than kids that made it into the program outright. Now if you feel it's more important for your DC to be in the company to be challenged and you will be okay with Bs or 3s, then go for it! There's nothing wrong with that at all. But if you or your DC have to work pretty hard just to get accepted into the program, and you're expecting nothing but excellent grades, you might want to think twice about pushing DC into the AAP. AAP move at a lot faster pace immediately starting third grade, and throughout.

I do find that kids that have done well in AAP have one thing in common, and that's their ability to focus and follow instructions. They might be "smart", but it's "focus" that drives them to succeed at that age. These kids usually can finished their assignments quickly and retain the information well. Example I can give you is that one of my DC's mom asked me once how long it took my DC to finished a particular assignment, and I said about 30 min and on his own. She then told me it took her child over two hours and that's with her sitting next to him "making" him finished the project timely! Apparently that's their ritual every night.

The teachers are teaching the "majority" of the students and will move right along. So for those with kids that are on the fence of the cut, just keep that in mind. As long as you are willing and ready to do some home interventions when needed, than I believe your DC will do just fine in AAP.

My son made it to the pool based on his Cogat score. He is bright for sure, and endlessly curious. He can also focus on things that interest him bordering on obsession. But for the most part, he has almost no attention span/focus. He is easily distracted by things he finds more interesting. He does not finish assignments on his own unless I push, he has no anxiety about failing. He is doing well on AAP I think because he is so bright. He doesn't have to listen too much to the teacher to "get it." But I agree with you, and I worry about later years when "sort of paying attention" won't cut it for more complex math and science.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's nothing compared to the pressure of making the travel teams in sports.

It's part of growing up. Other kids & their parents have different priorities. Raise your kid, others will raise theirs, time will tell who wins.

Quit worrying about what other people do and focus on your own priorities...that's a life lesson really.

I agree with your last paragraph, but unfortunately FCPS has made it difficult to do this with the over - emphasis on AAP. Kids who would otherwise not give it a second thought are being inundated with constant discussion of test scores and "who's in, who's out," coming from parents and peers alike. It's really become a huge circus and I can't wait until my kids are out of this environment.

No, FCPS is not the problem. It's the PARENTS who feel like their snowflake will melt away if they don't get into the AAP center. They have bright kids whose needs are being met in the gen ed class, but somehow the parents are obsessed with doing anything and everything to get their child into AAP.

--FCPS teacher

I'm the PP and I completely agree with you that the parents are a huge part of this problem. However, it's FCPS who has allowed the system to become as bloated as it is by constantly catering to these parents and their many demands. So I'd have to say that unless FCPS changes its policies to make AAP admittance either much more stringent - or opens AAP up to anyone who chooses it - then they're the ones who created this mess in the first place.

+100 Agree with both PPs, but especially last one as onus is on FCPS to reign this in.

+1000!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I have known several people with solidly average scoring kids who lobbied like mad to get their kids into AAP so they would make the "right" friends. Two out of 3 got their kid in and bragged like they themselves had just won the Olympics. One of those kids has already left AAP because she was miserable and her friends there stressed her out more than influencing her to work harder. Another is there struggling and unhappy, but mom and dad aren't budging. It's insane.

We want our kids to enjoy learning and have fond memories of school. Neither of my kids are in AAP because I don't think they belong there. One scored quite high on the NNAT, but not on the CogAt and I had no interest in pushing for AAP. There is a perfectly nice peer group in general ed, they do provide enrichment as needed and DC is HAPPY and enjoying learning.

+1
I think everyone knows kids who have been unnecessarily pushed into AAP. At our center, there are a ton of those kids. I agree, general ed offers a really nice group of children and everyone seems a lot happier and less stressed out. [/quote]

It all matters little in HS, says mom of one in AAP/GT and two happily coming up through GenEd. One Gen Ed kid's actually doing better than his AAP sib because he's learned to work hard. Parents need to get a grip and realize that smart hardworking kids do fine anywhere. Stressed, lazy or pressured kids will have problems anywhere. Teaching your kids to love learning no matter where they are is the key, as PP noted. I feel sorry for a lot of these kids who have been told they're special and advanced in a bloated program. The real world will not be so kind.

[Anonymous]

I would assume that within 5 years, every school will offer AAP, centers will be a thing of the past, and then the gen Ed parents will cry "tracking" and it will all disappear.

-signed, a parent of 2 high schoolers who were in GT before the AAP madness started