Does AAP create unhelpful elitism and separation?

[Anonymous]

Such nonsense. Why do you like your kids getting sports' trophies, and why do you think being first in a sport's race is any different than this?

If a kid is better than others academically, you suggest that that kid remain behind and unknown because it hurts someone's feelings? Well its about time that kids and their parents get it, that we are not all the same, and some have more abilities than others in different areas. It is up to the parent to teach the child work ethic. I would never miss an opportunity for my child because someone my cry. Children need to see the differences between them and their peers in all areas. That's how they improve and march toward success. If my child is not good at something, I want him/her to have peer role models that he/she can look up to and improve because of the inspiration these other kids give him/her.

This is not elitism, but it is how it should be. You can't improve if you always are comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school is having a field trip just for the AAP kids.

It is true that some schools do it better than others. Our center would not do that.
I'm 11:45am.
OP - I personally wouldn't move and uproot 3 kids who are getting a great education as you say in FCC for diversity reasons though I think diversity is a good thing - but I think moving is pain, ha. To each his/herown, and I don't know FCC. I would personally find other ways to teach them those values, but you do you- good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax seems unusual in its labelling and separation (even to the point of sending kids to alternate schools) of gifted kids. Arlington and Falls Church City integrate them into the classrooms and enable differentiation on a subject by subject basis, as well as based on whether a kid wants to choose to push themselves, with the teacher's permission (even if they didn't test well). Similarly, they integrate special needs children. In Falls Church City, my son has children with down syndrome, cerebralpalsy, and brilliant (off the charts) smart kids all together. There is very low teacher/student ratio (the special needs kids have one-on-one attendants) so that everyone's needs are met but children are not labelled and separated. I much prefer the integration.

An earlier poster said that parents play a role and that is true to a point. Kids see the obvious. If a kid is tested and then separated from their peers because they did well, there is an inevitable superiority they will have that no amount of parental discussion will change. It will become clear to them that smart kids benefit and are separated, and that they are not one of the smart kids. That will, in turn, affect their worldview of themselves and what they believe they can achieve. The sad thing is that many studies show that brilliance doesn't lead to success - effort matters more. The Fairfax system of (based solely on tests) labelling and separating kids will harm them in the long run.

The way Fairfax implements their GT program is unusual, but so is Arlington's. I think the program in Loudoun is more common, but it also separates students.

Inclusion is the modern education philosophy and old-fashioned GT programs like Fairfax and Loudoun are in conflict with that. I'm not sure they'll be able to survive all that much longer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I agree. That is why we are moving. We want to move into a more diverse neighborhood. There is no other reason we are moving. My kids are getting a great academic education in FCC, but not a real world education by not seeing economic and racial diversity. Because of our concern about integration, I was alarmed by the idea of separation of the "smart kids" and generally have an allergic reaction to putting kids in boxes.

Take some Benadryl and get some world education in some poor country since you want to be so close to the common people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school is having a field trip just for the AAP kids.

Keene Mill is the only school that does this and it gives AAP a horrible name. This has come up plenty of times here. Why is no one doing anything AT THE SCHOOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax seems unusual in its labelling and separation (even to the point of sending kids to alternate schools) of gifted kids. Arlington and Falls Church City integrate them into the classrooms and enable differentiation on a subject by subject basis, as well as based on whether a kid wants to choose to push themselves, with the teacher's permission (even if they didn't test well). Similarly, they integrate special needs children. In Falls Church City, my son has children with down syndrome, cerebralpalsy, and brilliant (off the charts) smart kids all together. There is very low teacher/student ratio (the special needs kids have one-on-one attendants) so that everyone's needs are met but children are not labelled and separated. I much prefer the integration.

An earlier poster said that parents play a role and that is true to a point. Kids see the obvious. If a kid is tested and then separated from their peers because they did well, there is an inevitable superiority they will have that no amount of parental discussion will change. It will become clear to them that smart kids benefit and are separated, and that they are not one of the smart kids. That will, in turn, affect their worldview of themselves and what they believe they can achieve. The sad thing is that many studies show that brilliance doesn't lead to success - effort matters more. The Fairfax system of (based solely on tests) labelling and separating kids will harm them in the long run.

The way Fairfax implements their GT program is unusual, but so is Arlington's. I think the program in Loudoun is more common, but it also separates students.

Inclusion is the modern education philosophy and old-fashioned GT programs like Fairfax and Loudoun are in conflict with that. I'm not sure they'll be able to survive all that much longer.

I don't know. Depends on a number of things. Immigration being one of them. Teachers are finally coming out and saying they can't do it all. Teach gifted, general ed, esol, special needs, all at once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Such nonsense. Why do you like your kids getting sports' trophies, and why do you think being first in a sport's race is any different than this?

If a kid is better than others academically, you suggest that that kid remain behind and unknown because it hurts someone's feelings? Well its about time that kids and their parents get it, that we are not all the same, and some have more abilities than others in different areas. It is up to the parent to teach the child work ethic. I would never miss an opportunity for my child because someone my cry. Children need to see the differences between them and their peers in all areas. That's how they improve and march toward success. If my child is not good at something, I want him/her to have peer role models that he/she can look up to and improve because of the inspiration these other kids give him/her.

This is not elitism, but it is how it should be. You can't improve if you always are comfortable.

Not to mention that parents want different things for their children. Generally Asian parents want a much different academic experience than other races and it's actually white parents in particular that complain the most about Asians. So just let them be in classes to the level the parents want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I agree. That is why we are moving. We want to move into a more diverse neighborhood. There is no other reason we are moving. My kids are getting a great academic education in FCC, but not a real world education by not seeing economic and racial diversity. Because of our concern about integration, I was alarmed by the idea of separation of the "smart kids" and generally have an allergic reaction to putting kids in boxes.

Take some Benadryl and get some world education in some poor country since you want to be so close to the common people.

I hope you realize what a horrible person you sound like. Everyone in America seems to want to separate themselves from others who they believe are not as good as them. elitism and superiority are diseases of the soul that we are teaching our children through our education systems and, it seems, many parents here are also teaching their children. To view the "real" world as a place where those who are smarter should and deserve to have more advantages and get more, is a symptom of that. Challenge kids differently - yes. You can have kids doing really well in math be in advanced classes and kids doing really well in English doing advanced classes without lumping the whole child into a box with a special label. I think that in Fairfax the AAP label is a badge that parents need more than one that benefits the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Falls Church City is a very elitist neighborhood separate from any poors, so I find this whole discussion a little silly. Falls Church City has the smallest differential between students in probably the entire DMV area. And because they are wealthy they can do a lot for each child. Fairfax has kids with many needs that Falls Church City just doesn't have. Seems silly to be complaining about AAP when Falls Church City does nothing to help bring in more lower income housing etc. which would really help diversify the city.

OP here. I agree. That is why we are moving. We want to move into a more diverse neighborhood. There is no other reason we are moving. My kids are getting a great academic education in FCC, but not a real world education by not seeing economic and racial diversity. Because of our concern about integration, I was alarmed by the idea of separation of the "smart kids" and generally have an allergic reaction to putting kids in boxes.

I think solution to your worries is simple. Just don't send your kid to AAP and part of this monstrosity, elitism!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school is having a field trip just for the AAP kids.

Keene Mill is the only school that does this and it gives AAP a horrible name. This has come up plenty of times here. Why is no one doing anything AT THE SCHOOL!

This is at a different school. Not Keene Mill. It has been brought up at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I agree. That is why we are moving. We want to move into a more diverse neighborhood. There is no other reason we are moving. My kids are getting a great academic education in FCC, but not a real world education by not seeing economic and racial diversity. Because of our concern about integration, I was alarmed by the idea of separation of the "smart kids" and generally have an allergic reaction to putting kids in boxes.

Take some Benadryl and get some world education in some poor country since you want to be so close to the common people.

I hope you realize what a horrible person you sound like. Everyone in America seems to want to separate themselves from others who they believe are not as good as them. elitism and superiority are diseases of the soul that we are teaching our children through our education systems and, it seems, many parents here are also teaching their children. To view the "real" world as a place where those who are smarter should and deserve to have more advantages and get more, is a symptom of that. Challenge kids differently - yes. You can have kids doing really well in math be in advanced classes and kids doing really well in English doing advanced classes without lumping the whole child into a box with a special label. I think that in Fairfax the AAP label is a badge that parents need more than one that benefits the kids.

They are just pointing out the hypocrisy. Many people want integration to a point as long as their kid can still be successful. That's their threshold which often can't be met in a poor neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I agree. That is why we are moving. We want to move into a more diverse neighborhood. There is no other reason we are moving. My kids are getting a great academic education in FCC, but not a real world education by not seeing economic and racial diversity. Because of our concern about integration, I was alarmed by the idea of separation of the "smart kids" and generally have an allergic reaction to putting kids in boxes.

Take some Benadryl and get some world education in some poor country since you want to be so close to the common people.

I hope you realize what a horrible person you sound like. Everyone in America seems to want to separate themselves from others who they believe are not as good as them. elitism and superiority are diseases of the soul that we are teaching our children through our education systems and, it seems, many parents here are also teaching their children. To view the "real" world as a place where those who are smarter should and deserve to have more advantages and get more, is a symptom of that. Challenge kids differently - yes. You can have kids doing really well in math be in advanced classes and kids doing really well in English doing advanced classes without lumping the whole child into a box with a special label. I think that in Fairfax the AAP label is a badge that parents need more than one that benefits the kids.

Call me 'horrible' all you like.

People that are smarter and work harder succeed, and they get more, and that's how it should be. Just because you work hard, you shouldn't get a trophy. You should get a trophy if you achieve a result ethically.

You are the kind of person who wants to take away opportunities from smart hard working kids, so you can go on with your pure soul. That is dishonest! Suit yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax seems unusual in its labelling and separation (even to the point of sending kids to alternate schools) of gifted kids. Arlington and Falls Church City integrate them into the classrooms and enable differentiation on a subject by subject basis, as well as based on whether a kid wants to choose to push themselves, with the teacher's permission (even if they didn't test well). Similarly, they integrate special needs children. In Falls Church City, my son has children with down syndrome, cerebralpalsy, and brilliant (off the charts) smart kids all together. There is very low teacher/student ratio (the special needs kids have one-on-one attendants) so that everyone's needs are met but children are not labelled and separated. I much prefer the integration.

An earlier poster said that parents play a role and that is true to a point. Kids see the obvious. If a kid is tested and then separated from their peers because they did well, there is an inevitable superiority they will have that no amount of parental discussion will change. It will become clear to them that smart kids benefit and are separated, and that they are not one of the smart kids. That will, in turn, affect their worldview of themselves and what they believe they can achieve. The sad thing is that many studies show that brilliance doesn't lead to success - effort matters more. The Fairfax system of (based solely on tests) labelling and separating kids will harm them in the long run.

The way Fairfax implements their GT program is unusual, but so is Arlington's. I think the program in Loudoun is more common, but it also separates students.

Inclusion is the modern education philosophy and old-fashioned GT programs like Fairfax and Loudoun are in conflict with that. I'm not sure they'll be able to survive all that much longer.

I don't know. Depends on a number of things. Immigration being one of them. Teachers are finally coming out and saying they can't do it all. Teach gifted, general ed, esol, special needs, all at once.

Perhaps. Although some parents of children with SN don't want inclusion, I don't see the idea changing soon. Maybe it will, though.

[Anonymous]

ps. You can also have kids that are good all the way around. What do you do with them? Keep them pulled out all day? Different friends for every period? Oh, its ok, because the kids that can't do it all will be happy this way. Ridiculous!

I am not looking down on any kids that can/can't get into AAP, but to keep someone behind so others can feel better, that is the disease. You can't have a cookie, because I can't!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school is having a field trip just for the AAP kids.

Keene Mill is the only school that does this and it gives AAP a horrible name. This has come up plenty of times here. Why is no one doing anything AT THE SCHOOL!

Other schools are smart enough to keep their names off of DCUM.