Fairfax County GT/AAP Decisions

[Anonymous]

My son did not get in - we are probably going to appeal though his test scores are all over the place. Bottom line is DRA level is 30, GBRS is 11. Scores were all over the place, but he did get a 134 on verbal comprehension portion of WISC. Did not do well on CoGAT, however I met today with AAP coordinator and found out that all of CoGAT for second graders is given orally - my son is partially deaf and has difficulty with processing information orally. School knows this, but she suggested that we appeal and put the information from the doctor/hospital in the file - apparently the school couldn't put this into his file because it is considered confidential information and so we have to do it (didn't realize that) so AAP committee did not have this information. WISC was already put in so I will put in the information about my son's hearing in on appeal along with his current grades, which were all outstanding.

I would like to reiterate what an earlier poster said about samples school submitted. I got a copy of what was submitted by the school today and the work submitted for my son was not his best. Apparently, the 2nd grade teachers at our school were all told to submit the same thing from each child, which wasn't necessarily the best representation for each child. I'm going to talk to my son's teachers about getting copies of work from his journal, where he excelled. I can't believe none of that work was submitted even though I specifically asked his teacher, who told me it would be submitted. Copies don't come home, or else I would have submitted it myself.

Interested in other people's thoughts on appeal. Is it a lost cause to appeal since my son only did well on one subtest of the WISC and basically was very average on all other test scores? Any other parents with kids who have disabilities have thoughts/comments on this process for those kids?

[Anonymous]

Cogat 136 DRA 38 GBRS 7. Is it worth appealing without a WISC IV?

[Anonymous]

We had a GBRS 9 last year, and COgAt ranging from 122-148 and Naglieri 125. I do not remember the DRA. We appealed without WISC and were denied. On appeal we submitted some great work samples, and a few additional letters from myself, and some family friends and coaches. This year, we parent referred, with no new scores (so they had the old scores) and got in with a new GBRS of 11.

I think with a GBRS of 7, you would need some concrete new evidence.

We decided not to pay for the WISC, but rather see how things went this year. In our case, a better teacher, who really has recognized ds's strengths and challenged him appropriately has made all the difference.

[Anonymous]

Hi
Did anyone with a good WISC ie. above average and a GBRS of 8 get rejected on appeal??

[Anonymous]

DD just took the WISC and scored a 146.She took the WISC because of a low GBRS score of 9. The final piece of info is her NNAt score was 138. Any other suggestions with the above information on what we can do to help with the appeal process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD just took the WISC and scored a 146.She took the WISC because of a low GBRS score of 9. The final piece of info is her NNAt score was 138. Any other suggestions with the above information on what we can do to help with the appeal process?

I think with her WISC score, she should have no problem getting in regardless of her GBRS. FSIQ of 146 is considered at least as highly gifted or even Profoundly gifted by some organizations. If her VCI and PRI scores are as high as her FSIQ (which I think very likely), that'd be even better.

[Anonymous]

Did anyone get a letter from county regarding AAP appeal

[Anonymous]

None posted yet... most folks hanging out on the other thread to discuss:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1050/104443.page

[Anonymous]

This is what needs be done about the AAP program in Fairfax County. The AAP program should be renamed the "Advanced Program for Smart Children with Learning Disabilities (AAPLD)" and the "smart" children who learn the "normal way" should be brought back in to the General Education Schools and placed in Advanced Classes based on their grades/performance. In this way, the "smart"children who don't "think outside of the box" in the General Education Schools will be afforded the same opportunities as the currnt AAP center children. In this way all children who really need an educational challenge to advance will get it based on their needs. The General Education Schools in Fairfax County are failing many "smart" children!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what needs be done about the AAP program in Fairfax County. The AAP program should be renamed the "Advanced Program for Smart Children with Learning Disabilities (AAPLD)" and the "smart" children who learn the "normal way" should be brought back in to the General Education Schools and placed in Advanced Classes based on their grades/performance. In this way, the "smart"children who don't "think outside of the box" in the General Education Schools will be afforded the same opportunities as the currnt AAP center children. In this way all children who really need an educational challenge to advance will get it based on their needs. The General Education Schools in Fairfax County are failing many "smart" children!

Then you lose the advantage of having a large enough size of a peer group of like-minded kids, at least at the overwhelming majority of elementary schools in Fairfax County. Too big a loss for these kids who require instructional services to meet their needs per state regulation, as well as for the County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what needs be done about the AAP program in Fairfax County. The AAP program should be renamed the "Advanced Program for Smart Children with Learning Disabilities (AAPLD)" and the "smart" children who learn the "normal way" should be brought back in to the General Education Schools and placed in Advanced Classes based on their grades/performance. In this way, the "smart"children who don't "think outside of the box" in the General Education Schools will be afforded the same opportunities as the currnt AAP center children. In this way all children who really need an educational challenge to advance will get it based on their needs. The General Education Schools in Fairfax County are failing many "smart" children!

Then you lose the advantage of having a large enough size of a peer group of like-minded kids, at least at the overwhelming majority of elementary schools in Fairfax County. Too big a loss for these kids who require instructional services to meet their needs per state regulation, as well as for the County.

[list]There are plenty of "like minded", "smart", children in Fairfax County General Education schools. There doesn't need to be a separate school for the "smart" kids. It is the kids who do not flourish with the general education curriculum who are supposedly selected for the AAP Center. So make it what it is and put only those children who need a differnent curriculum in the centers and keep the, truly, just plain "smart kids" together. My son is a straight "A" student and is very disheartened by the children in his classroom who are disruptive and are not there to learn. He needs a classroom with "like minded" learners. He is not getting it! The county is failing the "smat" children who are not in the AAP centers. The level II and III services are a waste of time and resources. Fairfax needs to put it back in the classroom - smart kids in the advanced classrooms and others placed in classrooms to meet them at their achievement levels. The children who truly need a different learning curriculum should be the only ones placed in the center schools and not any child who's parents pitch the biggest fit. This is failing the General Ed. children in Fairfax County! If the centers were really being used for what they are "pitched" as by the county, then parents wouldn't be "biting at their bits" to get their children into centers. This is happening because parents know thier "smart" kid will not get the same opportunities in the General Ed. Schools. And each of you know this is true. Help correct this issue instead of fueling it.

[Anonymous]

For 2012-2013:

My child had a 136 fsiq on the WISC IV. 148 vci but a 110 wmi....he is AAP material but that wmi score seems low...will he get in with this score?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what needs be done about the AAP program in Fairfax County. The AAP program should be renamed the "Advanced Program for Smart Children with Learning Disabilities (AAPLD)" and the "smart" children who learn the "normal way" should be brought back in to the General Education Schools and placed in Advanced Classes based on their grades/performance. In this way, the "smart"children who don't "think outside of the box" in the General Education Schools will be afforded the same opportunities as the currnt AAP center children. In this way all children who really need an educational challenge to advance will get it based on their needs. The General Education Schools in Fairfax County are failing many "smart" children!

Then you lose the advantage of having a large enough size of a peer group of like-minded kids, at least at the overwhelming majority of elementary schools in Fairfax County. Too big a loss for these kids who require instructional services to meet their needs per state regulation, as well as for the County.

[list]There are plenty of "like minded", "smart", children in Fairfax County General Education schools. There doesn't need to be a separate school for the "smart" kids. It is the kids who do not flourish with the general education curriculum who are supposedly selected for the AAP Center. So make it what it is and put only those children who need a differnent curriculum in the centers and keep the, truly, just plain "smart kids" together. My son is a straight "A" student and is very disheartened by the children in his classroom who are disruptive and are not there to learn. He needs a classroom with "like minded" learners. He is not getting it! The county is failing the "smat" children who are not in the AAP centers. The level II and III services are a waste of time and resources. Fairfax needs to put it back in the classroom - smart kids in the advanced classrooms and others placed in classrooms to meet them at their achievement levels. The children who truly need a different learning curriculum should be the only ones placed in the center schools and not any child who's parents pitch the biggest fit. This is failing the General Ed. children in Fairfax County! If the centers were really being used for what they are "pitched" as by the county, then parents wouldn't be "biting at their bits" to get their children into centers. This is happening because parents know thier "smart" kid will not get the same opportunities in the General Ed. Schools. And each of you know this is true. Help correct this issue instead of fueling it.

Well put! I too wish it were not called Advanced, but instead something like "Alternate".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


For 2012-2013:

My child had a 136 fsiq on the WISC IV. 148 vci but a 110 wmi....he is AAP material but that wmi score seems low...will he get in with this score?

Possibly -- but AAP eligibility is based on several factors and not a single test score.

[Anonymous]

it is too early for these boards. please reread entire board first. you're answers are probably in there