To Those Who Will Appeal if their Child is Not Selected for AAP

[Anonymous]

Thanks for wasting time and resources so that your ego is placated. You don't have to be in an AAP class to get a great education (or turn out to be a great kid/student.) Unfortunately, many Type A parents in NoVA can't handle the truth, and will do anything to be able to brag about their child among friends. Meanwhile, the child suffers undue stress, especially those who end up being rejected twice.

So the AAP program has to institute an appeal process to dissuade parents from suing. And the kids who were admitted the first go-around now suffer because the class sizes swell with people who weren't selected initially.

[Anonymous]

You really need to get over yourself. Really gifted kids do just fine in large classes because they are little sponges who crave learning and will find a way to acquire knowledge in any circumstances.
While some people may be pushing the envelope to the detriment of their kid, others should absolutely appeal if they feel their child's ability isn't reflected in the original package.
If your child is "suffering", maybe he/she doesn't belong in AAP.
It's the mission of the schools to fairly educate EVERYBODY.

signed,

mom of AAP kid who got in on the first round without us lifting a finger and who is excelling in a large class.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, everyone LOVES large classrooms. Smaller AAP classrooms would be beneficial at all, would they?

[Anonymous]

I don't live in VA -- what is AAP?

[Anonymous]

Appeal is just a part of the whole process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Appeal is just a part of the whole process.

Only for those who can't accept reality. Imagine if universities allowed rejected applicants to "appeal" the decision? It's part of the process because it's the only way to stem inevitable lawsuits from helicopter parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't live in VA -- what is AAP?

It's a special snack that they serve to all kids in school. Tastes very similar to meatloaf, but it light blue in color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't live in VA -- what is AAP?

It's a special snack that they serve to all kids in school. Tastes very similar to meatloaf, but it light blue in color.

Its only served to those who qualify!

[Anonymous]

The AAP appeal process has nothing to do with large class sizes really. I'm sure FCPS can hire qualified teachers as necessary. It is a matter of FCPS policy. Fairfax County has the largest class size in the entire DC area. Please, if you feel class size is that important, push for smaller classes for all students. Many people want AAP for the curriculum just as much if not more so than to have their child be with the gifted students. I don't fault any of these parents for wanting their children to have a more advanced curriculum if their children are borderline.

[Anonymous]

The level IV classroom at our base school is the largest 3rd grade class - and it has far more non level IV students than level IV - doesn't really make sense to me - much of what FCPS does makes much sense to be honest....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The AAP appeal process has nothing to do with large class sizes really. I'm sure FCPS can hire qualified teachers as necessary. It is a matter of FCPS policy. Fairfax County has the largest class size in the entire DC area. Please, if you feel class size is that important, push for smaller classes for all students. Many people want AAP for the curriculum just as much if not more so than to have their child be with the gifted students. I don't fault any of these parents for wanting their children to have a more advanced curriculum if their children are borderline.

In that case, put EVERYONE in the AAP program. While you're at it, hand out trophies, too.

[Anonymous]

Good God! What do you want?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good God! What do you want?

For you guys to stop wasting other peoples' valuable time and resources, and to stop pushing underqualified kids into the AAP program to placate hurt parental egos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You really need to get over yourself. Really gifted kids do just fine in large classes because they are little sponges who crave learning and will find a way to acquire knowledge in any circumstances.
While some people may be pushing the envelope to the detriment of their kid, others should absolutely appeal if they feel their child's ability isn't reflected in the original package.
If your child is "suffering", maybe he/she doesn't belong in AAP.
It's the mission of the schools to fairly educate EVERYBODY.

signed,

mom of AAP kid who got in on the first round without us lifting a finger and who is excelling in a large class.

LOL! Know many gifted kids? ADHD gifted kids? Gifted kids with emotional problems? (The smartest child I ever taught couldn't handle the large class sizes in AAP and was eventually home-schooled.) IME, the brighter the child, the less conventional & typical is his/her behavior. You can't generalize about "all" gifted kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, everyone LOVES large classrooms. Smaller AAP classrooms would be beneficial at all, would they?

Actually, they wouldn't according to the empirical research. Class size has no effect on achievement.