To the regular posters that love to come here to bash

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Well that's a relief, since the program services, the teachers, and the kids are the only parts that concern me. Parents I can ignore, especially the ones who visit the AAP forums just to call us assholes. Sheesh, if you want to dismantle gifted programs in Virginia take it up with the state. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Parents are indeed a part of the problem, but the program services are also a huge part of the problem. The disparity between Level III and Level IV services is huge in many cases--one hour of pull out to do "interesting" projects vs. full time advanced instruction. For kids who are score in the mid nineties on the CogAT and NNAT, it just seems like a huge disparity. That's why you see so many parents parent refer and appeal. But I'm sure you think those services are fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Well that's a relief, since the program services, the teachers, and the kids are the only parts that concern me. Parents I can ignore, especially the ones who visit the AAP forums just to call us assholes. Sheesh, if you want to dismantle gifted programs in Virginia take it up with the state. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/

The Virginia standards aren't the problem, FCPS's implementation of the standards is the problem. Do you really think AAP as implemented is a gifted program? That is laughable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Parents are indeed a part of the problem, but the program services are also a huge part of the problem. The disparity between Level III and Level IV services is huge in many cases--one hour of pull out to do "interesting" projects vs. full time advanced instruction. For kids who are score in the mid nineties on the CogAT and NNAT, it just seems like a huge disparity. That's why you see so many parents parent refer and appeal. But I'm sure you think those services are fine

Level III at our school is one hour of pull-out with the AART twice a week for math and a separate pull-out for LA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Well that's a relief, since the program services, the teachers, and the kids are the only parts that concern me. Parents I can ignore, especially the ones who visit the AAP forums just to call us assholes. Sheesh, if you want to dismantle gifted programs in Virginia take it up with the state. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/

The Virginia standards aren't the problem, FCPS's implementation of the standards is the problem. Do you really think AAP as implemented is a gifted program? That is laughable.

This misses the point. If the FCPS implementation violates regulations why merely complain to AAP parents or even the county. Take your case to those who enforce the regs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Well that's a relief, since the program services, the teachers, and the kids are the only parts that concern me. Parents I can ignore, especially the ones who visit the AAP forums just to call us assholes. Sheesh, if you want to dismantle gifted programs in Virginia take it up with the state. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/

The Virginia standards aren't the problem, FCPS's implementation of the standards is the problem. Do you really think AAP as implemented is a gifted program? That is laughable.

This misses the point. If the FCPS implementation violates regulations why merely complain to AAP parents or even the county. Take your case to those who enforce the regs.

You miss the point of a "discussion forum."

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure offering advice about how to best address a grievance constitutes discussion. Arguing ad nauseum that "AAP is not a gifted program" less so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Well that's a relief, since the program services, the teachers, and the kids are the only parts that concern me. Parents I can ignore, especially the ones who visit the AAP forums just to call us assholes. Sheesh, if you want to dismantle gifted programs in Virginia take it up with the state. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/

The Virginia standards aren't the problem, FCPS's implementation of the standards is the problem. Do you really think AAP as implemented is a gifted program? That is laughable.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Well that's a relief, since the program services, the teachers, and the kids are the only parts that concern me. Parents I can ignore, especially the ones who visit the AAP forums just to call us assholes. Sheesh, if you want to dismantle gifted programs in Virginia take it up with the state. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/

The Virginia standards aren't the problem, FCPS's implementation of the standards is the problem. Do you really think AAP as implemented is a gifted program? That is laughable.

+100

When you do a +100, do you think that makes your agreement 100 times more important than someone who only does a +1?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Well that's a relief, since the program services, the teachers, and the kids are the only parts that concern me. Parents I can ignore, especially the ones who visit the AAP forums just to call us assholes. Sheesh, if you want to dismantle gifted programs in Virginia take it up with the state. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/

The Virginia standards aren't the problem, FCPS's implementation of the standards is the problem. Do you really think AAP as implemented is a gifted program? That is laughable.

+100

-100

Equilibrium achieved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't do this but I suspect those who do are really lashing out at the entitlement culture and pushing back against the preponderance of Type-A competitive parents in this area who will try to scheme and manipulate their way into the program by prepping their kids, etc.

BINGO! And I'd add that it creates this segregated culture of the "haves and have nots."

Bingo again. AAP has created more divisiveness among FCPS kids and parents than any other program I can recall, and I've lived here for over 25 yrs. It's a shame that this is happening, but FxCo taxpayers have every right to express concerns/misgivings/outright dislike of the program. I've always found it incredible that there are those who deny AAP has caused problems.

I am a product of the AAP in Fairfax county (many years ago) and based on that experience I whole heartedly agree with the PP's above. Dead on.

Based on your personal experience, would you want your kid to be in AAP?

That is so hard to say. There are way more perks - like more field trips, resources, etc. You definitely notice that you are treated on a superior level to the "base" kids. It can give one a bit of an ego - which is NOT a good thing.
Many of the extremely smart kids were somewhere on the spectrum and really needed AAP. Those kids generally ended up going to TJ followed by an Ivy and later entered the tech industry - usually as a tech architect or programmer, or they went on become doctors. The other kids were very smart but, in my opinion, not necessarily smarter than the "base" kids. I became very good friends with some of the base kids when we entered high school (as I didn't make it into TJ) and many of the base kids ended up going on to really prestigious universities and have done extremely well for themselves professionally - lawyers, doctors, some are even celebrities.
Overall, the positives - you are around only intelligent kids and you are exposed to a very intense and fulfilling curriculum.
Negatives - if you are not a math genius, then you will feel very intimidated in the program . . yet outside of the program, because you are AAP, you feel a bit superior (don't know if that makes sense)

Out of my three kids, only one could hack it. Not sure if I would send him though since he is only in 1st grade. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty sure offering advice about how to best address a grievance constitutes discussion. Arguing ad nauseum that "AAP is not a gifted program" less so.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parents are indeed the problem; not the program services, the teachers, or the kids.

Well that's a relief, since the program services, the teachers, and the kids are the only parts that concern me. Parents I can ignore, especially the ones who visit the AAP forums just to call us assholes. Sheesh, if you want to dismantle gifted programs in Virginia take it up with the state. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/

The Virginia standards aren't the problem, FCPS's implementation of the standards is the problem. Do you really think AAP as implemented is a gifted program? That is laughable.

+100

When you do a +100, do you think that makes your agreement 100 times more important than someone who only does a +1?

Not the PP, but when I do +100, it means I agree vehemently with the previous post. What a weird question. Who cares what the number is? It's a form of agreement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't do this but I suspect those who do are really lashing out at the entitlement culture and pushing back against the preponderance of Type-A competitive parents in this area who will try to scheme and manipulate their way into the program by prepping their kids, etc.

BINGO! And I'd add that it creates this segregated culture of the "haves and have nots."

Bingo again. AAP has created more divisiveness among FCPS kids and parents than any other program I can recall, and I've lived here for over 25 yrs. It's a shame that this is happening, but FxCo taxpayers have every right to express concerns/misgivings/outright dislike of the program. I've always found it incredible that there are those who deny AAP has caused problems.

I am a product of the AAP in Fairfax county (many years ago) and based on that experience I whole heartedly agree with the PP's above. Dead on.

Based on your personal experience, would you want your kid to be in AAP?

That is so hard to say. There are way more perks - like more field trips, resources, etc. You definitely notice that you are treated on a superior level to the "base" kids. It can give one a bit of an ego - which is NOT a good thing.
Many of the extremely smart kids were somewhere on the spectrum and really needed AAP. Those kids generally ended up going to TJ followed by an Ivy and later entered the tech industry - usually as a tech architect or programmer, or they went on become doctors. The other kids were very smart but, in my opinion, not necessarily smarter than the "base" kids. I became very good friends with some of the base kids when we entered high school (as I didn't make it into TJ) and many of the base kids ended up going on to really prestigious universities and have done extremely well for themselves professionally - lawyers, doctors, some are even celebrities.
Overall, the positives - you are around only intelligent kids and you are exposed to a very intense and fulfilling curriculum.
Negatives - if you are not a math genius, then you will feel very intimidated in the program . . yet outside of the program, because you are AAP, you feel a bit superior (don't know if that makes sense)

Out of my three kids, only one could hack it. Not sure if I would send him though since he is only in 1st grade. Hope this helps.

You haven't described AAP. This is a description of GT from years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't do this but I suspect those who do are really lashing out at the entitlement culture and pushing back against the preponderance of Type-A competitive parents in this area who will try to scheme and manipulate their way into the program by prepping their kids, etc.

BINGO! And I'd add that it creates this segregated culture of the "haves and have nots."

Bingo again. AAP has created more divisiveness among FCPS kids and parents than any other program I can recall, and I've lived here for over 25 yrs. It's a shame that this is happening, but FxCo taxpayers have every right to express concerns/misgivings/outright dislike of the program. I've always found it incredible that there are those who deny AAP has caused problems.

I am a product of the AAP in Fairfax county (many years ago) and based on that experience I whole heartedly agree with the PP's above. Dead on.

Based on your personal experience, would you want your kid to be in AAP?

That is so hard to say. There are way more perks - like more field trips, resources, etc. You definitely notice that you are treated on a superior level to the "base" kids. It can give one a bit of an ego - which is NOT a good thing.
Many of the extremely smart kids were somewhere on the spectrum and really needed AAP. Those kids generally ended up going to TJ followed by an Ivy and later entered the tech industry - usually as a tech architect or programmer, or they went on become doctors. The other kids were very smart but, in my opinion, not necessarily smarter than the "base" kids. I became very good friends with some of the base kids when we entered high school (as I didn't make it into TJ) and many of the base kids ended up going on to really prestigious universities and have done extremely well for themselves professionally - lawyers, doctors, some are even celebrities.
Overall, the positives - you are around only intelligent kids and you are exposed to a very intense and fulfilling curriculum.
Negatives - if you are not a math genius, then you will feel very intimidated in the program . . yet outside of the program, because you are AAP, you feel a bit superior (don't know if that makes sense)

Out of my three kids, only one could hack it. Not sure if I would send him though since he is only in 1st grade. Hope this helps.

Want to put out that every single field trip my DC took has been with the whole grade. No AAP-only trips.