Child got in on Appeal and I'm wondering If it's a good thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a very simple solution to all this agonizing about AAP. Do not tell your kids about it! Why do 7-year olds need to know that there is an advanced academic program?

My DD is going to be in AAP in the fall (rising 3rd grader) and has no idea that such a program exists and that she's going to be in a different class than some of her friends. She was never told any of this and not knowing didn't hurt at all her chances of making it into the program. Yes, she's probably going to find out sometime in the future but we figured if we didn't make a big deal of it at home, she won't see it as such.

Parents create all this hooplah to get their kids pushed to their limit in order to make it to AAP and then start agonizing if it is a good thing that kids feel superior when they succeed... Isn't that crazy?

Agree 100%.

And this is not an issue everywhere in the county. There are plenty of schools and neighborhoods in this district where ther world does not revolve around who did/did not get into AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a very simple solution to all this agonizing about AAP. Do not tell your kids about it! Why do 7-year olds need to know that there is an advanced academic program?

My DD is going to be in AAP in the fall (rising 3rd grader) and has no idea that such a program exists and that she's going to be in a different class than some of her friends. She was never told any of this and not knowing didn't hurt at all her chances of making it into the program. Yes, she's probably going to find out sometime in the future but we figured if we didn't make a big deal of it at home, she won't see it as such.

Parents create all this hooplah to get their kids pushed to their limit in order to make it to AAP and then start agonizing if it is a good thing that kids feel superior when they succeed... Isn't that crazy?

Our child's teacher told the class about AAP in the fall, and some kids were talking about it throughout the year anyway (probably knew about it from older siblings). One would compliment another, "You're definitely going to get into AAP!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a very simple solution to all this agonizing about AAP. Do not tell your kids about it! Why do 7-year olds need to know that there is an advanced academic program?

My DD is going to be in AAP in the fall (rising 3rd grader) and has no idea that such a program exists and that she's going to be in a different class than some of her friends. She was never told any of this and not knowing didn't hurt at all her chances of making it into the program. Yes, she's probably going to find out sometime in the future but we figured if we didn't make a big deal of it at home, she won't see it as such.

Parents create all this hooplah to get their kids pushed to their limit in order to make it to AAP and then start agonizing if it is a good thing that kids feel superior when they succeed... Isn't that crazy?

The kids should know about it just in case the school put them in non-aap classes by accident. it happened before.

[Anonymous]

I think the parents can figure that one out without the kids' intervention!

[Anonymous]

So, if I understand correctly, 7-year olds should not only know but have opinions as to who should be in AAP? I think we are losing it people! This is madness!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a very simple solution to all this agonizing about AAP. Do not tell your kids about it! Why do 7-year olds need to know that there is an advanced academic program?

My DD is going to be in AAP in the fall (rising 3rd grader) and has no idea that such a program exists and that she's going to be in a different class than some of her friends. She was never told any of this and not knowing didn't hurt at all her chances of making it into the program. Yes, she's probably going to find out sometime in the future but we figured if we didn't make a big deal of it at home, she won't see it as such.

Parents create all this hooplah to get their kids pushed to their limit in order to make it to AAP and then start agonizing if it is a good thing that kids feel superior when they succeed... Isn't that crazy?

We were the same way with our first. Didn't say much except DC was invited to another school. But now our younger children already know about it. And that's what happens. By 5th DC knows she is in a program for smart kids. 2nd grader of course wants to be in the school with the older sibling. Even Kindergarters have heard of it becuase of older siblings. So all the kids at school can't stay in a bubble.

[Anonymous]

My DC is still in a bubble He is going to be in 3rd grade AAP but does not know it at all. Our base school is the AAP center so it does not make a difference.
I read in the general forum that a kid is dropping out from the program... Don't know how the kid will feel. Sigh... Although trust my kid will fit in well, still a bit nervous. It is a good idea not to tell them about the program.

[Anonymous]

Hahaha! Your kid is smart enough for AAP, but doesn't know what it means? Dream on.

[Anonymous]

I remember telling my then second grader (to whom we had not said a word about AAP) that she would be going to anotehr school. She replied, "That's where the smart kids go. I'm smart?" You can't shield them.

[Anonymous]

We had shielded my DD from AAP as much as possible. We parental referred, told her the WISC was to understand how she learned (which was true; I learned a lot about her from those results). When the letter arrived, we told her. She knew about AAP, and WOW, someone thinks I am smart! I should point out that getting into AAP would be obvious once we brought her to orientation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By 3rd grade, the kids are very well aware of who the smartest kids in the class are, with or without AAP.

Yes, but the AAP selection process doesn't necessarily get all the smart kids. There is a difference between gifted and smart. There are smart kids who are left behind and have to live with the stigma created by the large percentage of kids that end up in AAP. So many smart but not gifted kids get into the program that is does make it seem like only kids who are not smart stay in Gen Ed. DS is in AAP and was shocked when two of the most academically advanced kids in his class didn't also get in. I explained that the program was an opportunity for him to learn things in a different way and not that the kids in the program are smarter than the ones who don't go. I think there should be a program for profoundly gifted kids and all the other kids should be in gen ed and should have access to the current AAP curriculum. I don't think DS is profoundly gifted so this is not a self-serving suggestion.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had shielded my DD from AAP as much as possible. We parental referred, told her the WISC was to understand how she learned (which was true; I learned a lot about her from those results). When the letter arrived, we told her. She knew about AAP, and WOW, someone thinks I am smart! I should point out that getting into AAP would be obvious once we brought her to orientation.

Really? You went to such lengths to "protect" your child from the potential of a disappointment if not found eligible? If you treat your snow flake with a little more consideration as to their maturity you may find that they will learn to deal with good and bad outcomes in the future. Protecting them only sets them up for greater disappointment in the future when they have not learned coping skills like those others in their class whose parents don't over protect their kids. Both my kids play sports, understand about winning an losing, are in AAP and knew each step of the process not only from us, but from those in the school and their friends. Don't delude yourself, your DD would have found out day 1 of third grade all the smart kids were gone if she had not been admitted. Sounds like you need to 1. Have another baby as you are trying not to lose the one you have, or 2. Home school in a vacuum.

[Anonymous]

I asked my DC about AAP yesterday and he still does not know it. None of his friends talk about AAP. I know at least 2 of his friends are going but none of them discussed this topic nor did their parents. The boys just don't seem very into it. I guess they will find out in Sep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had shielded my DD from AAP as much as possible. We parental referred, told her the WISC was to understand how she learned (which was true; I learned a lot about her from those results). When the letter arrived, we told her. She knew about AAP, and WOW, someone thinks I am smart! I should point out that getting into AAP would be obvious once we brought her to orientation.

Really? You went to such lengths to "protect" your child from the potential of a disappointment if not found eligible? If you treat your snow flake with a little more consideration as to their maturity you may find that they will learn to deal with good and bad outcomes in the future. Protecting them only sets them up for greater disappointment in the future when they have not learned coping skills like those others in their class whose parents don't over protect their kids. Both my kids play sports, understand about winning an losing, are in AAP and knew each step of the process not only from us, but from those in the school and their friends. Don't delude yourself, your DD would have found out day 1 of third grade all the smart kids were gone if she had not been admitted. Sounds like you need to 1. Have another baby as you are trying not to lose the one you have, or 2. Home school in a vacuum.

Judge much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had shielded my DD from AAP as much as possible. We parental referred, told her the WISC was to understand how she learned (which was true; I learned a lot about her from those results). When the letter arrived, we told her. She knew about AAP, and WOW, someone thinks I am smart! I should point out that getting into AAP would be obvious once we brought her to orientation.

Really? You went to such lengths to "protect" your child from the potential of a disappointment if not found eligible? If you treat your snow flake with a little more consideration as to their maturity you may find that they will learn to deal with good and bad outcomes in the future. Protecting them only sets them up for greater disappointment in the future when they have not learned coping skills like those others in their class whose parents don't over protect their kids. Both my kids play sports, understand about winning an losing, are in AAP and knew each step of the process not only from us, but from those in the school and their friends. Don't delude yourself, your DD would have found out day 1 of third grade all the smart kids were gone if she had not been admitted. Sounds like you need to 1. Have another baby as you are trying not to lose the one you have, or 2. Home school in a vacuum.

whoever posted this is an idiot. Don't come around here commenting on another person's parenting skills and provide unsolicited advice. if a parent chooses to "shield" a child from disappointment it's their choice. It's their child, after all. NOT YOURS! MORON!