FCPS Proposal to close down AAP Centers at Greenbriar West ES and Carson MS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This business though of trying to close the achievement gap is a futile effort. There is not enough money in the world to do that and even if property tax rates tripled they still wouldn't close the achievement gap. At least the AAP kids will by and large go out and do great things in the world - maybe even be teachers to help the disadvantaged.


What an idiotic statement. And kids who are not in AAP won't "go out and do great things in the world"? Please, stop taking yourself, your child, and AAP so very seriously. AAP doesn't mean a thing in the whole scheme of things and it's sad that you think it does.

some gen ed kids will do great things in the world too, but probably it is more expected of the AAP kids.

The GT kids I know that are now college graduates are struggling just as much--or more--than the others. Sure, a couple of them are doing well, but Iknow more that are not.

[Anonymous]

cont. It is a disappointment to those who think they should be recognized as the "smartest in the room" and are shocked when others don't see it that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:cont. It is a disappointment to those who think they should be recognized as the "smartest in the room" and are shocked when others don't see it that way.

someone always has to be though. I agree it is a flaw to think you have to let everyone else know it's you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, meant to say also that Texas is not known for its public schools and it has so many ESOL students, it has to focus on achievement gap, not high achievement. So there are factual reasons for the comment. Not bigotry. Unlike all the anti-Asian, anti-black, anti-Indian comments all over DCUM. Wow to you both.

That said, Texas has SEVERAL of the top ranked magnet schools in the country. I do not believe that you have your FACTS straight. Texas is not all about ESL students. Texas is a mix of students with various backgrounds, various socio-economic statuses, and language abilities, just like Fairfax. The fact that there are students that receive ESL in Texas does not mean that they do not focus on high achievement. If you are stating facts, then state your sources. This is like saying that everyone from Texas rides horses and wears boots because a few folks are ranchers and cowboys there. We moved from a VERY high achieving district in Texas, a set of blue ribbon schools, and I'd like to see some citations that say that Texas focuses only on the achievement gap and ESL students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, meant to say also that Texas is not known for its public schools and it has so many ESOL students, it has to focus on achievement gap, not high achievement. So there are factual reasons for the comment. Not bigotry. Unlike all the anti-Asian, anti-black, anti-Indian comments all over DCUM. Wow to you both.

That said, Texas has SEVERAL of the top ranked magnet schools in the country. I do not believe that you have your FACTS straight. Texas is not all about ESL students. Texas is a mix of students with various backgrounds, various socio-economic statuses, and language abilities, just like Fairfax. The fact that there are students that receive ESL in Texas does not mean that they do not focus on high achievement. If you are stating facts, then state your sources. This is like saying that everyone from Texas rides horses and wears boots because a few folks are ranchers and cowboys there. We moved from a VERY high achieving district in Texas, a set of blue ribbon schools, and I'd like to see some citations that say that Texas focuses only on the achievement gap and ESL students.

Texas has two magnets in US News rankings: one has 240 hand-picked students and the other 388. There are more highly qualified students right here in Fairafax for those slots than the whole state OF Texas. You're mixing apples and oranges.

[Anonymous]

Texas has two magnets in US News rankings: one has 240 hand-picked students and the other 388. There are more highly qualified students right here in Fairafax for those slots than the whole state OF Texas. You're mixing apples and oranges.

And, that determines the value of a superintendent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Texas has two magnets in US News rankings: one has 240 hand-picked students and the other 388. There are more highly qualified students right here in Fairafax for those slots than the whole state OF Texas. You're mixing apples and oranges.

And, that determines the value of a superintendent?

I think the point someone above was trying to make is the superintendent was selected to close the achievement gap - maybe a compelling priority in Texas but not so much in Fairfax. Waste of money you ask me because it is futile.

[Anonymous]

They should all be shut down. The idea of cherry picking in public schools is unfair to the taxpayers. If low achieving students are going to slow down high achieving student, then why should mid-level achieving students be slowed down by the same measure?

Schools can accommodate all levels of learning. If children need and want different or special instruction they should go private.

[Anonymous]

selected to close the achievement gap - maybe a compelling priority in Texas but not so much in Fairfax

You are obviously not paying attention to politicians. Look at the article about Common Core in the Post this week. Martina Hone's most important issue was closing achievement gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

selected to close the achievement gap - maybe a compelling priority in Texas but not so much in Fairfax

You are obviously not paying attention to politicians. Look at the article about Common Core in the Post this week. Martina Hone's most important issue was closing achievement gap.

who's she?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Colin Powell has a strong level IV program, but it could grow even stronger if so many kids wouldn't leave for GBW. There would be enough kids for two full classes instead of just one.

agree. Same thing for most of the feeder schools of GBW. GBW name comes because of kids from feeder schools.

+1 They could start slowly. First letting the two elementary schools that feed the largest population of children into GBW strengthen their own program by keeping their children there. This would alleviate overcrowding at GBW while other level VI programs grow.

I kept my son in CP. It was a no-brainer. Smaller class sizes, strong AAP teachers, and having my son in the same school as his neighborhood friends, priceless. It is beyond me why some parents whose children go to CP flock to GBW.

The GBW to Rocky Run to TJ track is well known.

My child will go to Rocky Run also, and so will most level IV that stay at their home school. It is the same track.

The path is not the same when more GBW students end up at TJ.

Rubbish. If the kid is smart they will most likely end in TJ, inspite of taking a different path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Colin Powell has a strong level IV program, but it could grow even stronger if so many kids wouldn't leave for GBW. There would be enough kids for two full classes instead of just one.

agree. Same thing for most of the feeder schools of GBW. GBW name comes because of kids from feeder schools.

+1 They could start slowly. First letting the two elementary schools that feed the largest population of children into GBW strengthen their own program by keeping their children there. This would alleviate overcrowding at GBW while other level VI programs grow.

I kept my son in CP. It was a no-brainer. Smaller class sizes, strong AAP teachers, and having my son in the same school as his neighborhood friends, priceless. It is beyond me why some parents whose children go to CP flock to GBW.

The GBW to Rocky Run to TJ track is well known.

My child will go to Rocky Run also, and so will most level IV that stay at their home school. It is the same track.

The path is not the same when more GBW students end up at TJ.

Rubbish. If the kid is smart they will most likely end in TJ, inspite of taking a different path.

Go tell that to the parents who prefer GBW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should all be shut down. The idea of cherry picking in public schools is unfair to the taxpayers. If low achieving students are going to slow down high achieving student, then why should mid-level achieving students be slowed down by the same measure?

Schools can accommodate all levels of learning. If children need and want different or special instruction they should go private.

THIS x100.

[Anonymous]

Schools can accommodate all levels of learning

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should all be shut down. The idea of cherry picking in public schools is unfair to the taxpayers. If low achieving students are going to slow down high achieving student, then why should mid-level achieving students be slowed down by the same measure?

Schools can accommodate all levels of learning. If children need and want different or special instruction they should go private.

THIS x100.

While we are cutting things, let us start with eliminating all AP, IB, and honors classes, as AAP (including Levels II and III) are intended to ready students for more challenging AP/IB/honors coursework in high school. If we get rid of all AAP then we do not need the AP/IB/honors classes either. Let's just have a single English class to accommodate all levels of learning.