While FCPS is talking about dumbing down AAP for Blacks/Latinos..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Asian and European countries always test better than African and South American countries. It should not be a surprise that there are more Asian and white students in AAP. Just because they represent more of the population doesn't necessarily mean they should be equally represented in AAP. This is not racial discrimination. This is based on academic ability.

I wish it were based on academic ability. I've mentioned my child's scores before, no need to repeat them. He received a GBRS of 10! His teacher said she didn't see "giftedness" in him. The same thing happened to my nephew. His teacher didn't see him as gifted and in her narrative wrote that she thought his Cogat scores were a fluke. My brother took him to GMU to get tested and his IQ was 142. He is now at a center working at least 2 grade levels about his age.

Teachers often mean well but they make assumptions about students sometimes without even realizing it. I don't think my son's teacher was a racist, I just think she grouped my child early on with average students for reasons I'll never know, didn't challenge him and got the results she expected. It happens all the time. He wasn't even pulled out with the AAP resource teacher in 1st and 2nd grade because the teacher said she picked her top students for that sort of thing. He had all O's and a Naglieri in the 99th percentile! When I found out about it in the middle of 2nd grade I told the principal and she was furious. He was pulled out immediately.

Like my brother I had my child tested at GMU because you start to doubt yourself with so many people saying people who look like you cant' do this or that. I was so embarrassed and mad at myself when I found out my child's scores. I vowed to never let anything or anybody hold him back again.

That may have had somethinig to do with his race, but also that happens to most well-adjusted 145+ kids who don't act up but are bored enough in class that they don't engage - it's easy for teachers to miss them (and maybe parents too - why didn't you do something for the 4 years from age 4-grade 2 when this was not noticed - that's 4 years of his life where you were challenging him and just noticed when the school provided the naglieri - that's also something you should be looking into yourself for in addition to holding teachers to account).

[Anonymous]

I had a similar experience with my Latino son who has dark skin. Teachers seem surprised that he is advanced AND it takes them a while to admit that he is advanced. When he entered kindergarten reading Magic Tree House books the teacher thought he had memorized picture books and that is why he could read them. It wasn't until I insisted she listen to him read any book she picked out did she reluctantly admit he could read. I am friends with an Asian mom and the assumption was her child was advanced from day one. Same thing in math. He entered k and was about to finish the end of first grade Singapore Math. She marked him down in when he drew a pattern with 1/3/5/7 objects and wrote on his paper he needed to work on understanding patterns.

[Anonymous]

Gosh, it is already so dumbed down it would be hard to make it dumber...oh, they just did, by putting all the centers inot the schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
That may have had somethinig to do with his race, but also that happens to most well-adjusted 145+ kids who don't act up but are bored enough in class that they don't engage - it's easy for teachers to miss them (and maybe parents too - why didn't you do something for the 4 years from age 4-grade 2 when this was not noticed - that's 4 years of his life where you were challenging him and just noticed when the school provided the naglieri - that's also something you should be looking into yourself for in addition to holding teachers to account).

Good question. We came to FCPS to provide the best for him. When we were repeatedly told he was average I thought maybe kids are so very bright here that my impression of his skills is inflated. I take full responsibility for that mistake. But it never kept us from offering him every opportunity we could find outside of school.

And I did do something at school too. At every conference, every phone call, I was pushing his teachers to challenge him. I kept getting the same answer, "he's fine." It was like a broken record. The reason I brought up the Naglieri earlier was because at the time I thought, okay maybe now they'll see. Like I said, I don't know that it was a racist thing regarding why his primary teachers were so resistant to simply offering him differentiation. It was just an incredibly frustrating experience. One that I hope opened their eyes a bit and another child won't have to go through it.



The important things is he's fine now, he's thriving in AAP.

[Anonymous]

Same assumption of not being able to read or do good work occurred with my DC in 2nd grade at a highly regarded elementary with AAP --- she's white and blonde. She was literally sitting in the back of the 28-student class doodling most of the time. She's now thriving in private school as of 3rd grade. Older sibling has been noted as high functioning, in all grades, is still thriving in AAP. So much depends on the teacher, and perhaps teacher biases (subliminal or otherwise), and parents do need to advocate, but large classes or other aspects of a given class may be especially bad for some DCs.

[Anonymous]

Btw PP, AAP Algebra 1 Honors isn't dumbed down at all,at least not at Longfellow. Some of the work includes problems that are yet to be solved by anyone -- e.g., haven't been solved by university professors, etc. -- to teach kids how to think. They take the AMC8 in class ... Prior tests are online, see how well you do PP (about 10 right out of 25 is national average for math geeks who prepared for the test - AAP kids fare much better). I am looking at private HS right now as possible next step -- none are at the level of AAP, though some (GDS, for example) a

[Anonymous]

Rest of post -- sorry-- seem to allow separate acceleration to accommodate kids coming from such programs. There is nothing dumbed down at a real AAP center. That's why parents are fighting so hard not to play around with some declaration of AAP centers at each MS, in name only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While FCPS is dumbing down for blacks and latinos? My DS is black and has an IQ of 150+ on the WISC IV and SB. He has been thriving in AAP for several years and continues to outperform peers.

There are MANY children in my sons's AAP classes who are barely working above grade level. But guess what, I don't mind at all. They aren't harming anyone. They aren't taking away an opportunity from my child. In fact, they are enriching his life and he's learning that everyone has strengths in different areas. It also is character building that he's able to help his peers.

This is the problem with so many parents, people in general, they are so afraid of something different. Or someone taking an opportunity from them. Our society is better when everyone has an opportunity to meet their full potential. If your child is truly gifted they will thrive. And if you're concerned they aren't getting enough from the program offer tons of enrichment at home. That's what we do and it works. I don't go around saying why are these dumb white or Asian kids being allowed to learn alongside with my superior son. That sort of talk is offensive. And I'm sick of the notion that it's somehow okay when the races are reversed.

Uh.. hey who brought race into AAP. That's right NAACP.
I'm happy for you that your kid is smart and doing great in AAP regardless of race.
I would like to be color blind, treat all kids the same, and provide equal opportunity regardless of races.
Tell that to NAACP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish they did more to segregate kids into intellect-appropriate groups/classes in school. It shouldn't have to be AAP or not AAP. Why not have basic ed, intermediate, advanced, and have kids switch classes so that if they lag in one area but excel in another, they can go to the appropriate class.

I also think they should break out Kindergarten classes by age. So the Red shirts can be with the older Ks, and the late birthdays can be with the younger Ks.

Too complicated ($$$) I guess.

Because education today is based on evidence and research and data, and the evidence and research and data says that those practices, which were once very common, hurt children.

[Anonymous]

How is ability grouping by class any worse than a separate AAP program? It's all semantics to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While FCPS is dumbing down for blacks and latinos? My DS is black and has an IQ of 150+ on the WISC IV and SB. He has been thriving in AAP for several years and continues to outperform peers.

There are MANY children in my sons's AAP classes who are barely working above grade level. But guess what, I don't mind at all. They aren't harming anyone. They aren't taking away an opportunity from my child. In fact, they are enriching his life and he's learning that everyone has strengths in different areas. It also is character building that he's able to help his peers.

This is the problem with so many parents, people in general, they are so afraid of something different. Or someone taking an opportunity from them. Our society is better when everyone has an opportunity to meet their full potential. If your child is truly gifted they will thrive. And if you're concerned they aren't getting enough from the program offer tons of enrichment at home. That's what we do and it works. I don't go around saying why are these dumb white or Asian kids being allowed to learn alongside with my superior son. That sort of talk is offensive. And I'm sick of the notion that it's somehow okay when the races are reversed.

I agree you that every child has their own strengths. Is it okay if my child can't dunk or probably not shoot a good 3 pointer, but still be in a high school team? unhhh nooo....When it comes to sports you pick the best of the best so they can get to NBA or represent US team. How is it not the same for academics? Dont you want US to produce the best of the best doctors, scientists, inventors, professors in the world? Well it starts here at school. I am an Asian and I am not ashamed that my son is not built for serious sports. I focus on what he is good at and I try to help him that way. Blame it on the gene or the bringing up. My husband tried running for 6 months around the soccer field but never helped. We tried Chess for a couple of sessions and he fit in to the chess club right away and he is doing extremely well.

As much I want my son to go to colleges on a sports category and good scholarship, I understood that its not gonna happen.
Its hard for parents to accept what their children cannot do more than what they can do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish they did more to segregate kids into intellect-appropriate groups/classes in school. It shouldn't have to be AAP or not AAP. Why not have basic ed, intermediate, advanced, and have kids switch classes so that if they lag in one area but excel in another, they can go to the appropriate class.

I also think they should break out Kindergarten classes by age. So the Red shirts can be with the older Ks, and the late birthdays can be with the younger Ks.

Too complicated ($$$) I guess.

Because education today is based on evidence and research and data, and the evidence and research and data says that those practices, which were once very common, hurt children.

I don;t think that's altogether correct. I think the research shows ability grouping is not good for kids at the bottom, but kids at the top do better with ability grouping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband tried running for 6 months around the soccer field but never helped. We tried Chess for a couple of sessions and he fit in to the chess club right away and he is doing extremely well.

I'm glad chess club is working out for your husband. He sounds very advanced for his age, I'd have to agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While FCPS is dumbing down for blacks and latinos? My DS is black and has an IQ of 150+ on the WISC IV and SB. He has been thriving in AAP for several years and continues to outperform peers.

There are MANY children in my sons's AAP classes who are barely working above grade level. But guess what, I don't mind at all. They aren't harming anyone. They aren't taking away an opportunity from my child. In fact, they are enriching his life and he's learning that everyone has strengths in different areas. It also is character building that he's able to help his peers.

This is the problem with so many parents, people in general, they are so afraid of something different. Or someone taking an opportunity from them. Our society is better when everyone has an opportunity to meet their full potential. If your child is truly gifted they will thrive. And if you're concerned they aren't getting enough from the program offer tons of enrichment at home. That's what we do and it works. I don't go around saying why are these dumb white or Asian kids being allowed to learn alongside with my superior son. That sort of talk is offensive. And I'm sick of the notion that it's somehow okay when the races are reversed.

I agree you that every child has their own strengths. Is it okay if my child can't dunk or probably not shoot a good 3 pointer, but still be in a high school team? unhhh nooo....When it comes to sports you pick the best of the best so they can get to NBA or represent US team. How is it not the same for academics? Dont you want US to produce the best of the best doctors, scientists, inventors, professors in the world? Well it starts here at school. I am an Asian and I am not ashamed that my son is not built for serious sports. I focus on what he is good at and I try to help him that way. Blame it on the gene or the bringing up. My husband tried running for 6 months around the soccer field but never helped. We tried Chess for a couple of sessions and he fit in to the chess club right away and he is doing extremely well.

As much I want my son to go to colleges on a sports category and good scholarship, I understood that its not gonna happen.
Its hard for parents to accept what their children cannot do more than what they can do.

You're pretty racist even if your son can't dunk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While FCPS is dumbing down for blacks and latinos? My DS is black and has an IQ of 150+ on the WISC IV and SB. He has been thriving in AAP for several years and continues to outperform peers.

There are MANY children in my sons's AAP classes who are barely working above grade level. But guess what, I don't mind at all. They aren't harming anyone. They aren't taking away an opportunity from my child. In fact, they are enriching his life and he's learning that everyone has strengths in different areas. It also is character building that he's able to help his peers.

This is the problem with so many parents, people in general, they are so afraid of something different. Or someone taking an opportunity from them. Our society is better when everyone has an opportunity to meet their full potential. If your child is truly gifted they will thrive. And if you're concerned they aren't getting enough from the program offer tons of enrichment at home. That's what we do and it works. I don't go around saying why are these dumb white or Asian kids being allowed to learn alongside with my superior son. That sort of talk is offensive. And I'm sick of the notion that it's somehow okay when the races are reversed.

I agree you that every child has their own strengths. Is it okay if my child can't dunk or probably not shoot a good 3 pointer, but still be in a high school team? unhhh nooo....When it comes to sports you pick the best of the best so they can get to NBA or represent US team. How is it not the same for academics? Dont you want US to produce the best of the best doctors, scientists, inventors, professors in the world? Well it starts here at school. I am an Asian and I am not ashamed that my son is not built for serious sports. I focus on what he is good at and I try to help him that way. Blame it on the gene or the bringing up. My husband tried running for 6 months around the soccer field but never helped. We tried Chess for a couple of sessions and he fit in to the chess club right away and he is doing extremely well.

As much I want my son to go to colleges on a sports category and good scholarship, I understood that its not gonna happen.
Its hard for parents to accept what their children cannot do more than what they can do.

You're pretty racist even if your son can't dunk

I think the previous poster could have chosen better wording. The point is that you would not just put a small Asian kid on a basketball team to meet some type of racial quota if he did not have the athletic ability. When it comes to academics, you should grant admission to those who are best qualified.

Signed,
5'3" Asian girl who did not make the basketball team in junior high school but did major in math in college