Forum Index
»
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)
AAP even worth the effort???
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| My DC goes to private school in FFX County. We are debating going through the GMU testing. However, after reading the two threads on this page about the AAP program and the appeals process, I'm starting to wonder why we would want to participate in this madness. I've read the literature on the FCPS site about the process for kids coming from outside of the district. It seems straightforward: high scores, good teacher recommendation, solid work samples, and parent recommendation = good chance of getting into AAP. But the other threads make it seem much more political and, frankly, painful. I was going to sign DC up for the GMU group test and see what happens. But, if I have to grovel, pound on doors, and beg DC's teachers for *just the right* recommendation score, it may not be worth it. Furthermore, it sounds like the GMU group tests could be a farce and the only way in is through the more expensive WISC. Seriously?! |
Anonymous
|
I have seen no evidence that the craziness helps one get in. In fact, I would argue the bulk of the discussion is because sucking up does not work. Of the 14000 or so second graders, maybe 2500 get into AAP.
I can assure you, there are not 2500 people posting on here. Rather 50 people posting over and over again. Admissions to AAP is only a big deal if you let it be a big deal. |
Anonymous
You summarized it correctly. It's the 0.000001% of the parents that post on the "other threads" repeatedly. |
Anonymous
| I think it is more than .000001%, as that would be one person from Fairfax County. Probably more like 0.1% (1 in one thousand, or 15 for all of the FCPS second graders). |
Anonymous
Point taken. 
|
Anonymous
do what's right/best for your kids. stop/ignore the whining. |
Anonymous
| Agree. Try not to get sucked into the madness, and do what's best for your kid. If you get a solid WISC (you can get a private psych evaluation for the same price as GMU), solid teacher rating, and solid grades, you don't even need the letters of recommendation. Maybe one good work sample and the parent form. Not a big deal, and let the chips fall. You may end up with private-school quality within the public school system. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Heck a good WISC is all you need |
Anonymous
[list]It is not worth the effort! It is a joke and hurting the regular scholl system. |
Anonymous
[list]No, I think you are right. The one person who runs this blog is the "one" person responding and answering most of the questions here. |
Anonymous
|
OP, We transferred into the district from another state late this summer. We had only the basics in my child's packet (test scores, report card, letter from our former district stating child was accepted into their GT program, recommendation from former teacher, parent form). We did not have any work samples as we had just received our boxes, so we included a short note explaining why we did not have any work samples. We submitted paperwork on a Monday, the board for late transfers met the following week, and we received our notification a week after that. The process was much less painful than it sounds from reading this forum. From start to finish, it took about 2 weeks. The late transfer acceptance was an expedited process due to the fact that the start of school was only 2 weeks away from the results date. I have a friend who transferred into the district at around the same time and her child had a similar experience. Both children are entering the program at a later grade level than the traditional entry point.
Will it be worth it? Based on the ease of process, for us, yes. Based on the program, I only know of one family who participated in the AAP program, 5th grade (regular FfC school for 4th grade). According to the parents, the AAP program was the best possible learning experience for their child. This child tested in the highly-profoundly gifted range and had attended 3 other school districts prior to attending Fairfax County. The child's younger sibling did not enroll in the program, although the younger sibling was very bright, even advanced. They were exceptionally pleased with the sibling's experience in the traditional classroom. Because of their recommendations, we decided to pursue acceptance to AAP for our child, as we truly believe this will be the best educational environment for our child and worth the effort. Do what is best for your child, and don't let yourself get caught up in the stress. I am sure everyone's experience with the acceptance process varies greatly. |
Anonymous
| You can have your kids tested and accept the results, whatever they are. Tell yourself that you'll accept whatever the scores are. Some people are crazy; I would never petition for re-takes, beg, plead, etc. The cutoff has to be somewhere. I was identified as gifted really early on. I don't think it necessarily was the end-all be-all that some parents seem to think it is. Frankly, it made me feel like a weirdo at times. If my kid tests as gifted (which she might, since her dad was G&T too), great. If not, great. either way, it's her choice how long she stays in the program. |
Anonymous
| Only thing is Inc ps, you do not test gifted |
Anonymous
| I agree with all the previous posters. I cannot believe some of the comments I've read on here. My feeling is that if you get in, you were meant to get in. If you didn't, you probably weren't. The FFX process is very bureaucratic, in the best sense of the word! They have a thorough process full of checks and double-checks. I trust that process. It is not political for the vast majority; it's a process. We did not submit any extra work or recommendations other than completing the parent questionnaire. She got in. The program is very good but I wish it were even more challenging and deeper. It is wise to try to get in because it is a more appropriate education for those children. |
Anonymous
|
OP here - Thank you all for your comments. I think we're going to go ahead with our plan to have DC tested in the group setting at GMU. Depending on those scores, we'll have to decide where to go next. It's hard not to get drug into the hype. To the PP who made it sound easy, please remember that you transferred INTO the district. Although we pay FFX County taxes and DC could attend public school in FFX Cty, my DC is not considered within district so I do think that the process is a bit more difficult. Still, it may be a moot point after the scores are released. Frankly, I thought we'd avoid this nonsense altogether but we've been told by a few people to look into it and, like many of you mentioned, the program does sound like a wonderful (FREE) education. I hope we can pull this all off without putting too much pressure on DC. I've already told DC about the test and that, although it's important to try hard and do the best you can, it is only for his permanent record -- not for anything immediate. A white lie, yes, but I'm fearful of stressing DC out over nothing.
Again, thanks for talking me off the ledge. We'll see what happens. |