Why do you enter an advanced academics discussion if your kid is not smart enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because I have taught in gifted programs. The AAP craziness is just that. The highest level services were designed for true outlier kids - kids that nowadays would likely be classed as 2E or scary prodigies. It was not meant for simply really bright kids. The more you push bright or barely bright kids into the program, the more worthless it becomes. Track kids in their home schools, add supplemental work. The kids that it is meant for are the kids that took up 75% of my time and most of the oxygen in the classroom. I still remember many of their names many years later and I think of them with fondness, but the rest should have just been in a more traditionally structured classroom.

You’re lying. If you think the highest AaP services is designed for the prodigies then you have clearly never taught aap.

[Anonymous]

Op, your open question speaks volumes about you. Please re-read what you wrote. This isn’t about ‘smart’ enough. Check yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the people who are most adamantly against aap or TJ or the like have traditionally average kids.

What do you think qualifies you to have a valid opinion or a meaningful input if you don’t have a real understanding of gifted individuals?

Ask all of the people who have been using exam prep to pass their kids off as brighter than they are.

This happens ALL the time with ALL kinds of tests. Med school grads have to take the board test and law school grads have to pass the bar exam to become licensed. Are you saying these people cheated because they used prep materials including previously used exam questions when preparing to take these tests?

The problem isn't prep per se but that it's only available to those who are willing to invest in it. The problem is public school programs should be open to everyone not just those who can afford to invest in prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, your open question speaks volumes about you. Please re-read what you wrote. This isn’t about ‘smart’ enough. Check yourself.

All you can do is try to shame me for my question.

My question is valid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the people who are most adamantly against aap or TJ or the like have traditionally average kids.

What do you think qualifies you to have a valid opinion or a meaningful input if you don’t have a real understanding of gifted individuals?

I'm all for gifted education but abhor those who try to game admission and then go on about merit which their children clearly lack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because I have taught in gifted programs. The AAP craziness is just that. The highest level services were designed for true outlier kids - kids that nowadays would likely be classed as 2E or scary prodigies. It was not meant for simply really bright kids. The more you push bright or barely bright kids into the program, the more worthless it becomes. Track kids in their home schools, add supplemental work. The kids that it is meant for are the kids that took up 75% of my time and most of the oxygen in the classroom. I still remember many of their names many years later and I think of them with fondness, but the rest should have just been in a more traditionally structured classroom.

You’re lying. If you think the highest AaP services is designed for the prodigies then you have clearly never taught aap.

These are for slightly above-average kids whose parents have the resources to navigate the admissions process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of the people who are most adamantly against aap or TJ or the like have traditionally average kids.

What do you think qualifies you to have a valid opinion or a meaningful input if you don’t have a real understanding of gifted individuals?

Ask all of the people who have been using exam prep to pass their kids off as brighter than they are.

This happens ALL the time with ALL kinds of tests. Med school grads have to take the board test and law school grads have to pass the bar exam to become licensed. Are you saying these people cheated because they used prep materials including previously used exam questions when preparing to take these tests?

The problem isn't prep per se but that it's only available to those who are willing to invest in it. The problem is public school programs should be open to everyone not just those who can afford to invest in prep.

I am firmly anti-prep but you’re incorrect, AAP is certainly available to those who don’t invest in prep. My kid is in it w/o prepping and so are many others.

[Anonymous]

Draw the line on prep

1. Reading to a child everyday since they are very young
2. Taking them to various parks, museums, etc.
3. Giving them puzzles, legos, and other building toys.
4. Teaching them language, math, science at home at their level.
5. Enrolling them in an educational academy that teaches them language, math, science.
6. Buying a NNAT/COGAT book to practice at home.

I assume #1-5 are absolutely fine and the argument is only with #6?

People who do 1-5 are the ones whose children would likely end up in AAP, regardless of #6.

People who are going to care a lot about academics are always going to give their children a leg up.

FYI - I strongly dislike the tone of OP. Please no need to insult children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Draw the line on prep

1. Reading to a child everyday since they are very young
2. Taking them to various parks, museums, etc.
3. Giving them puzzles, legos, and other building toys.
4. Teaching them language, math, science at home at their level.
5. Enrolling them in an educational academy that teaches them language, math, science.
6. Buying a NNAT/COGAT book to practice at home.

I assume #1-5 are absolutely fine and the argument is only with #6?

People who do 1-5 are the ones whose children would likely end up in AAP, regardless of #6.

People who are going to care a lot about academics are always going to give their children a leg up.

FYI - I strongly dislike the tone of OP. Please no need to insult children.

People who are gung ho about equity have a few choice countries to settle - Cuba, Russia.

[Anonymous]

Because I pay taxes and I think you should pay for private/private supplementation instead. I send my kids to private starting preK, never did any testing, but DH went to TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Draw the line on prep

1. Reading to a child everyday since they are very young
2. Taking them to various parks, museums, etc.
3. Giving them puzzles, legos, and other building toys.
4. Teaching them language, math, science at home at their level.
5. Enrolling them in an educational academy that teaches them language, math, science.
6. Buying a NNAT/COGAT book to practice at home.

I assume #1-5 are absolutely fine and the argument is only with #6?

People who do 1-5 are the ones whose children would likely end up in AAP, regardless of #6.

People who are going to care a lot about academics are always going to give their children a leg up.

FYI - I strongly dislike the tone of OP. Please no need to insult children.

Not really. Only 1-3 apply at our house. I’m pretty sure my kids could discuss something they learned from NPR this week, but have never heard of RSM. And I’m guessing the same would be said for their friends. All of whom (I think) are in AAP, but I’m honestly not sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Draw the line on prep

1. Reading to a child everyday since they are very young
2. Taking them to various parks, museums, etc.
3. Giving them puzzles, legos, and other building toys.
4. Teaching them language, math, science at home at their level.
5. Enrolling them in an educational academy that teaches them language, math, science.
6. Buying a NNAT/COGAT book to practice at home.

I assume #1-5 are absolutely fine and the argument is only with #6?

People who do 1-5 are the ones whose children would likely end up in AAP, regardless of #6.

People who are going to care a lot about academics are always going to give their children a leg up.

FYI - I strongly dislike the tone of OP. Please no need to insult children.

We did 1-4 and DS was in-pool and accepted during the first round of admissions. We started 5 in third grade because distance learning was awful.

[Anonymous]

What a pointless discussion! And yet I comment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because I pay taxes and I think you should pay for private/private supplementation instead. I send my kids to private starting preK, never did any testing, but DH went to TJ.

I don't understand this logic. The cost of an AAP child is not different than the cost of a gen ed child. I know people are upset about busing, but that has to be a fairly insignificant cost in the school board budget. I don't think an unfair amount of your tax dollars are going to AAP.

I dare say there isn't one other group of specialized instruction to which you'd apply this thought (ESOL, special ed, alternative school, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the people who are most adamantly against aap or TJ or the like have traditionally average kids.

What do you think qualifies you to have a valid opinion or a meaningful input if you don’t have a real understanding of gifted individuals?

AAP is not just for gifted individuals. It is literally called advanced academics. It is NOT a gifted program.