Why obsess over getting into gifted program?

[Anonymous]

Another meaningful comment and contribution from a local knowledgeable junk scientist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Parents should be cautious if someone is trying to sell them expensive books and courses to prepare for standardized tests. Do your research. Sure, everyone deserves to make a living, but make sure you know what you are buying. We all want to do our best by our children and unfortunately, there are people out there who will take advantage of that parental instinct to sell us things that are higher priced than they need to be while making big, big promises about what their products and services can offer.

You as a parent can do a lot to help your child reach his or her potential that is totally free. The library is free. Start with getting your child a library card at a young age and encourage lots and lots of reading. When a child loves to read, that child will love to learn. "Read, read, read!" as the sign says on one of our local elementary schools.

Are you hallucinating and fretting over imaginary salespeople trying to sell you expensive books and courses because you are incapable of understanding fundamental genetic and physiological principles?

Ha ha, funny!

Actually, if you google "test prep businesses" you will see that there are lots of companies out there charging hundreds of dollars for standardized test preparation. I am not talking about CTY and organizations along those lines that offer content courses for academic enrichment, but organizations that are purely about practicing for standardized tests. I have years of experience as a parent and I have personally encountered salespeople whose job is to sell products to parents who only want to do the best for their children. In general, I have found that it is worthwhile for parents to do their own research about such things. Others may differ, of course, but I have found that more knowledge is usually a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You people need to get a life! After reading this thread it seems that ffxco parents are just a bunch of name calling nuts spewing stats and psycho babble at one another. Enough already.

Agree.

After reading many of these AAP threads, I am very convinced that these threads are monopolized by 4 or 5 crazy people absolutely obsessed with AAP. One vehemently anti-prep wackadoodle whose self worth is tied into their child being naturally smarter than everyone else's kid. A couple of very bitter parents whose children were not placed in AAP in spite of herculanean efforts by the parents, who now feel that no one else but that elusive upper 99% deserve extra enrichment. And one or two people (probably parents of the few truly brilliant kids) who really aren't that passionate either way, but get a kick out of stirring up the crazies.

That small group of parents make everyone lok like nut jobs: the newbie parents and transfers trying to find answers, the parents with kids in the program trying to be helpful and offer insight, and the people with a general interest in gifted ed.

[Anonymous]

Feel Better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people need to get a life! After reading this thread it seems that ffxco parents are just a bunch of name calling nuts spewing stats and psycho babble at one another. Enough already.

Agree.

After reading many of these AAP threads, I am very convinced that these threads are monopolized by 4 or 5 crazy people absolutely obsessed with AAP. One vehemently anti-prep wackadoodle whose self worth is tied into their child being naturally smarter than everyone else's kid. A couple of very bitter parents whose children were not placed in AAP in spite of herculanean efforts by the parents, who now feel that no one else but that elusive upper 99% deserve extra enrichment. And one or two people (probably parents of the few truly brilliant kids) who really aren't that passionate either way, but get a kick out of stirring up the crazies.

That small group of parents make everyone lok like nut jobs: the newbie parents and transfers trying to find answers, the parents with kids in the program trying to be helpful and offer insight, and the people with a general interest in gifted ed.

I'm a parent of a preschooler and new to Fairfax County. These boards make it seem like getting into AAP is harder than it was to get into college 20 years ago with all the tests, teacher recommendations, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm a parent of a preschooler and new to Fairfax County. These boards make it seem like getting into AAP is harder than it was to get into college 20 years ago with all the tests, teacher recommendations, etc.

Ha. Just wait 10 years till you start reading the boards about how hard it is to get into college these days! In the meantime, I suggest not reading this stuff!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people need to get a life! After reading this thread it seems that ffxco parents are just a bunch of name calling nuts spewing stats and psycho babble at one another. Enough already.

Agree.

After reading many of these AAP threads, I am very convinced that these threads are monopolized by 4 or 5 crazy people absolutely obsessed with AAP. One vehemently anti-prep wackadoodle whose self worth is tied into their child being naturally smarter than everyone else's kid. A couple of very bitter parents whose children were not placed in AAP in spite of herculanean efforts by the parents, who now feel that no one else but that elusive upper 99% deserve extra enrichment. And one or two people (probably parents of the few truly brilliant kids) who really aren't that passionate either way, but get a kick out of stirring up the crazies.

That small group of parents make everyone lok like nut jobs: the newbie parents and transfers trying to find answers, the parents with kids in the program trying to be helpful and offer insight, and the people with a general interest in gifted ed.

I'm a parent of a preschooler and new to Fairfax County. These boards make it seem like getting into AAP is harder than it was to get into college 20 years ago with all the tests, teacher recommendations, etc.

My child got into AAP, did not prep for the tests. Just the usual good night's sleep and good breakfast. He was in the pool , I filled out the paperwork, added some work samples and that was it. Accepted and did well last year.

[Anonymous]

My child got into AAP, did not prep for the tests. Just the usual good night's sleep and good breakfast. He was in the pool , I filled out the paperwork, added some work samples and that was it. Accepted and did well last year.

Great. I trust you are not one of the illiterates who believe intelligence, mental and physical performance, are all "fixed" and "immutable" at conception or even birth due to our "rigid" helical genetic DNA. If you are, you have nothing to worry about since it matters not what you do after birth. And training, conditioning and prep are as useless as expensive prep courses and tutors or endless hours of speed and strength drills in the gym.

There are a far greater number of insecure folk on these boards who either secretly don't believe the biblical junk science they continue to espouse here and are pulling out their dry, thinning hair

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people need to get a life! After reading this thread it seems that ffxco parents are just a bunch of name calling nuts spewing stats and psycho babble at one another. Enough already.

Agree.

After reading many of these AAP threads, I am very convinced that these threads are monopolized by 4 or 5 crazy people absolutely obsessed with AAP. One vehemently anti-prep wackadoodle whose self worth is tied into their child being naturally smarter than everyone else's kid. A couple of very bitter parents whose children were not placed in AAP in spite of herculanean efforts by the parents, who now feel that no one else but that elusive upper 99% deserve extra enrichment. And one or two people (probably parents of the few truly brilliant kids) who really aren't that passionate either way, but get a kick out of stirring up the crazies.

That small group of parents make everyone lok like nut jobs: the newbie parents and transfers trying to find answers, the parents with kids in the program trying to be helpful and offer insight, and the people with a general interest in gifted ed.

I'm a parent of a preschooler and new to Fairfax County. These boards make it seem like getting into AAP is harder than it was to get into college 20 years ago with all the tests, teacher recommendations, etc.

My child got into AAP, did not prep for the tests. Just the usual good night's sleep and good breakfast. He was in the pool , I filled out the paperwork, added some work samples and that was it. Accepted and did well last year.

+1

[Anonymous]

I am the anti prep person. Prepping for me is preparing for the specific test, which is (IMHO) unethical, as the test is scaled assuming there is no prep. I can not site a reference for that.

There is a huge difference between prep for a specific test as a 2nd grader that should not be prepped, and activities that grow the overall mind. Reading, critical thinking, creative play, etc all can enhance ones mental capacity. Playing chess, checkers, even monopoly and risk will hav long term benifits, and can lead to increased intellectual capability.

Specific drill and practice for the CogAT will not; it may increase the score but will not accomplish anything else.

In addition, getting into AAP is not that hard.

BTW< you can also game the WISC: take it three times in two weeks. The kid will score a higher score. Most psychologists would consider that unethical.

[Anonymous]

I am the anti prep person. Prepping for me is preparing for the specific test, which is (IMHO) unethical, as the test is scaled assuming there is no prep. I can not site a reference for that.

There is a huge difference between prep for a specific test as a 2nd grader that should not be prepped, and activities that grow the overall mind. Reading, critical thinking, creative play, etc all can enhance ones mental capacity. Playing chess, checkers, even monopoly and risk will hav long term benifits, and can lead to increased intellectual capability.

Specific drill and practice for the CogAT will not; it may increase the score but will not accomplish anything else.

In addition, getting into AAP is not that hard.

BTW< you can also game the WISC: take it three times in two weeks. The kid will score a higher score. Most psychologists would consider that unethical.

Let's then condemn Phelps, Kobe, Bird, Tiger for prepping since the age of 3 for specific tests/tasks (despite genius and phenomenal physical attributes at conception and birth). We should also condemn former President Clinton, for prepping for the US Presidency and leadership of the free world, at a tender young age. Chance favors the prepared mind. Prepping is not unethical. Simply look in the mirror and around you, there are far too many fools on earth who never prep for encounters, tasks or tests.

[Anonymous]

Phelps etc did not prep for a specific test....they worked on a tool kit. Prepping for the CogAT is not transportable. Learning to dribble, kick better etc is.



PP: You are simplply wrong. research ethics.

[Anonymous]

I am the anti prep person. Prepping for me is preparing for the specific test, which is (IMHO) unethical, as the test is scaled assuming there is no prep. I can not site a reference for that.

There is a huge difference between prep for a specific test as a 2nd grader that should not be prepped, and activities that grow the overall mind. Reading, critical thinking, creative play, etc all can enhance ones mental capacity. Playing chess, checkers, even monopoly and risk will hav long term benifits, and can lead to increased intellectual capability.

Specific drill and practice for the CogAT will not; it may increase the score but will not accomplish anything else.

In addition, getting into AAP is not that hard.

BTW< you can also game the WISC: take it three times in two weeks. The kid will score a higher score. Most psychologists would consider that unethical.

Can you explain why specific drilling, practise, and prepping works wonders for brain surgeons, pilots, musicians, Olympians, orators, debators, Kobe, Phelps, Bird but not for youngsters in the DC area (even for advanced placement or magnet programs)? If highly gifted individuals "from conception" can drill and prep at a young age to improve performance and "giftedness" and we praise them what's wrong with the same approach for magnet and advanced educational programs? If it works for Phelps and Tiger Woods why not mathematicians and musicians?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the anti prep person. Prepping for me is preparing for the specific test, which is (IMHO) unethical, as the test is scaled assuming there is no prep. I can not site a reference for that.

There is a huge difference between prep for a specific test as a 2nd grader that should not be prepped, and activities that grow the overall mind. Reading, critical thinking, creative play, etc all can enhance ones mental capacity. Playing chess, checkers, even monopoly and risk will hav long term benifits, and can lead to increased intellectual capability.

Specific drill and practice for the CogAT will not; it may increase the score but will not accomplish anything else.

In addition, getting into AAP is not that hard.

BTW< you can also game the WISC: take it three times in two weeks. The kid will score a higher score. Most psychologists would consider that unethical.

How can you take the WISCONSIN three times in 2 weeks? You can only take it once a year.

[Anonymous]

Sorry WISC. Stupid autocorrect.