Anyone's child not able to stay in AP?

[Anonymous]

14:16 here -- I found a page with all elementary school grades' Program of Studies broken out by subject.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/pos/es.shtml

[Anonymous]

9:46, is there a significant discrepancy between your son's ability test scores and his actual achievement? If so, I would put it back on the school to figure out why. Often such discrepancy could indicate a learning disability of some kind (e.g., attention or auditory or visual processing issues). It's not enough that your child is at grade level, if he's in 3rd grade AAP he needs to be able to access the curriculum (which is 4th or 5th grade across the board). If your son does have a disability, the school can make accommodations so that the disability does not stand in the way of showing what he knows in the AAP classroom.

[Anonymous]

I think this is much more widespread than parents with kids in AAP realize. We are seriously considering pulling our third grader from the program next year and his teacher has told me that we aren't the only parents thinking about that option.

I think that there is a real issue at work here that the county is not acknowledging or addressing. All of our kids take a series of tests that measure critical and creative thinking. All of the tools used to assess their abilities are about what they can achieve, not what they have already learned. And then they are thrown in this hyper-accelerated curriculum that expects them to come in with a set of skills and work habits that I don't think is realistic. Some rise to the occasion, but I think many of them don't.

And for those that don't, there is little to no support. When we got called into the classroom, we were told that the teacher cannot take the time to teach my son to study or to catch him up on his spelling and math (he's "just" at a 3rd grade level so he's behind). So our only choice was to get a tutor and work with him ourselves. If this was a regular classroom, I'd be fine with that. But they tested him, they assessed him and they said he belonged in THIS accelerated program. I actually challenged that way back then and I was assured that I wasn't understanding his potential. And now they are saying he isn't meeting their standards and it's my job to fix it on my own, because they can't take the time. And if that doesn't work, then he should just leave this program, because clearly he is just the wrong fit for the program they said was the right choice for him based on their assessments.

A few years ago they changed the entire program to be an accelerated academic program instead of a gifted and talented program. But they still screen kids using gifted and talented instruments. The time has come to change the screening methods and admit kids who meet the standards of the new model.

I think this is a really interesting post and observation. I agree that the screening tools do not seem to match the program's focus. I disagree slightly with your call for more support. IF this were a true G&T program, then I think that it is fine to assume a student has the habits and base skills to achieve in a G&T setting. If a kid doesn't have those habits of mind, it doesn't mean that they are not smart, it just means they aren't cut out for a gifted program. But as you point out, you have gifted assessments being used for an advanced academic program. That doesn't seem right and in that setting, it would seem reasonable to expect the school to have supports for him to master his program.

Apparently, work needs to be done on the screening system.

[Anonymous]

PP, I have to disagree. I do not think that it is a foregone conclusion that a gifted child has the necessary habits to succeed in a "gifted" program. I have a ds who I spoke of earlier who was recently diagnosed with ADHD combined type. He has horrible organization skills, can be very unfocused and is often impulsive. I was begininning to wonder if perhaps, the challenge of AAP was exacerbating these issues. After sitting through a 504 eligibility meeting last week (where he was found eligible for accomodations due to these issues), the entire committee (and our developmental pediatrician) agreed that with his academic performance (all A's, lots of N's for organization, etc., the bottom section of the report card), and his very high test scores that AAP is exactly where he should be. In fact, his teacher felt that when he is focused, he is one of the top performers in the class.

I guess my point is, not all children who are "gifted" fit a picture of a model student with good work habits. Perhaps I am misunderstanding what you mean by "habits of mind"?

[Anonymous]

I think each parent knows their child the best and has to decide if this program works for that child. This program is just different and the fast pace won't work for every child and that's ok. We don't need to shove every square peg into a round hole. As for my DC's class, there are lots of parents complaining that the program is moving too fast. For my child the program is still moving too slow. Everyone is different.

As for the prior post I don't think this program should be referred to as a 'gifted' program. It is not. All of these children are not truly gifted. The program is just advanced. And I think that as the years go on and the learning is harder the challenges in the program that a third grader has now may just become bigger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd advise kicking back in less rigorous classes while still getting easy As. Then onto a state school on full scholarship and an easy major. Encourage her to spend her down time, which she should have a lot of, pursuing something she likes and sees a need for and to start her own business and build it up. I am 100% serious about this.

This message was brought to you by Bill Gates.

[list]Humm....

[Anonymous]

[list

Anonymous wrote:I think each parent knows their child the best and has to decide if this program works for that child. This program is just different and the fast pace won't work for every child and that's ok. We don't need to shove every square peg into a round hole. As for my DC's class, there are lots of parents complaining that the program is moving too fast. For my child the program is still moving too slow. Everyone is different.

As for the prior post I don't think this program should be referred to as a 'gifted' program. It is not. All of these children are not truly gifted. The program is just advanced. And I think that as the years go on and the learning is harder the challenges in the program that a third grader has now may just become bigger.

[/list]This is why we do not need an entire "center" to challenge the "smart" kids. Provide these children what they need at all base schools and stop wasting our tax dollars on special accommodations. If an advanced program was provided in all base schools then children who need advanced learning in everything would be in all advanced classes. Those children who need only some advanced classes could then have the same opportunities afforded to them. This, if done without prejudice, would give all base schools a truly great curriculum, pool of teachers, and a more level playing field for our children. I know this is "I have a Dream" like but come on.

Most of you know the Level IV currently offered at SOME base schools is a joke and level I, II & III are a waste of a child’s time All subjects are mostly taught by one teacher and in many cases parent volunteers!! Hence - why you are fighting so hard for your child to be in the AAP center. It is Wrong, Wrong, Wrong, for these opportunities to be given only to a "select" group. Why can't all of you, and the school system, take a step back and look at giving ALL children the very best education instead of a select few. The county needs to fix this problem and you all need to stop insisting all of your children, a handful who may be off the IQ charts, need a special school.

I am not convinced the blanket assumption that every child who tests into the AAP program in 2ND GRADE should then automatically go into middle and high school advanced classes. Yes, in Fairfax County all children can choose the advanced classes starting in middle school but, if the advanced education is only given to a "select few" in an elementary school "center", then how are the general ed elementary kids going to catch up? Oh and by the way this whole process is called "TRACKING". Same old thing just a different process to get there. Some children will rise above it but Fairfax County will make sure many will not!

[Anonymous]

/list]This is why we do not need an entire "center" to challenge the "smart" kids. Provide these children what they need at all base schools and stop wasting our tax dollars on special accommodations. If an advanced program was provided in all base schools then children who need advanced learning in everything would be in all advanced classes. Those children who need only some advanced classes could then have the same opportunities afforded to them. This, if done without prejudice, would give all base schools a truly great curriculum, pool of teachers, and a more level playing field for our children. I know this is "I have a Dream" like but come on.

Most of you know the Level IV currently offered at SOME base schools is a joke and level I, II & III are a waste of a child’s time All subjects are mostly taught by one teacher and in many cases parent volunteers!! Hence - why you are fighting so hard for your child to be in the AAP center. It is Wrong, Wrong, Wrong, for these opportunities to be given only to a "select" group. Why can't all of you, and the school system, take a step back and look at giving ALL children the very best education instead of a select few. The county needs to fix this problem and you all need to stop insisting all of your children, a handful who may be off the IQ charts, need a special school.

I am not convinced the blanket assumption that every child who tests into the AAP program in 2ND GRADE should then automatically go into middle and high school advanced classes. Yes, in Fairfax County all children can choose the advanced classes starting in middle school but, if the advanced education is only given to a "select few" in an elementary school "center", then how are the general ed elementary kids going to catch up? Oh and by the way this whole process is called "TRACKING". Same old thing just a different process to get there. Some children will rise above it but Fairfax County will make sure many will not!

[Anonymous]

You sound very bitter. This thread is for people talking about whether AAP is the right fit their child. Not a thread about the whether the county should have a GT program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:/list]This is why we do not need an entire "center" to challenge the "smart" kids.

Nice to know that the troll is still here. Is this year three for you, troll? Or is it year four?

[Anonymous]

NP here. I read the so-called troll's post and completely agree. I don't think that disagreeing with the current system makes one a troll. He/She has many good points. Obviously, parents who have snowflakes in AAP don't want to see it go away, but a good argument can certainly be made for doing so.

BTW, I have no dog in this fight as my kids go to private school. I just believe that our tax dollars could be better utilized by making all of the county schools great, not just certain ones that happen to have a certain program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:/list]This is why we do not need an entire "center" to challenge the "smart" kids.

Nice to know that the troll is still here. Is this year three for you, troll? Or is it year four?

[list]As a wise poster stated on another thread. "you are a true wierdo"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound very bitter. This thread is for people talking about whether AAP is the right fit their child. Not a thread about the whether the county should have a GT program.

[list]I beg your pardon. This is a thread for a “pp” who has a child struggling in the AAP program. The program doesn't need to exist. This child should be able to get the services he needs in his base school. Advanced with assistance where HE/SHE needs it. And so should every other child in Fairfax County. Very few children are in need of advanced services in everything. Call it "bitter" if you choose but "reality" would be better suited. If anyone is bitter here it would be the one who is so quick to judge others as "not deserving of" the best education available. Your snide remark reeks of "entitlement".

[Anonymous]

Question to the poster suggesting that AAP costs more: I am not sure if that is true. I think the cost is similar, if not slightly less. Why do you say it costs more?

[Anonymous]

I don't see how AAP would cost more. Our DD is in AAP - their class in the same trailers as the other 3rd grade classes, no special equipment that I'm aware of, lots of paper and pencil tasks. The difference seems to be that instruction is more in depth compared to the regular classes (e.g., they use the 5th grade vocabularly book, math is advanced), and there's more homework and in-class projects.