How different is AAP from the GT and AP classes of fcps in the 90's??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the 90s, admission to GT was only by WISC. A score of 130+ would get you school-based services and a score of 140+ would get you into the center. The experience was vastly different. The center classes were reserved for the highly gifted and it was a tight cohort. The general Ed classes were still great because only those tippy top kids were removed from their base schools. There were definitely fewer centers. I went to the center at Louise Archer, then on to Longfellow, then back to Madison.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you go on to study and where? What do you do for a living now? Just curious if AAP made a difference in your life..

It is so sad that people actually believe AAP is a life-changer! Check out recent high school graduates, ask where they're going to college, and then (if you're not too embarrassed!) ask whether they were in AAP during elem. or middle school. Of my high school DC's group of friends, exactly one was in AAP. He's going to Tech, and the other four kids in this group (including my DC) are headed to UVA, UMichigan, Stanford, and W&M. AAP is such a tiny blip in the whole scheme of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the 90s, admission to GT was only by WISC. A score of 130+ would get you school-based services and a score of 140+ would get you into the center. The experience was vastly different. The center classes were reserved for the highly gifted and it was a tight cohort. The general Ed classes were still great because only those tippy top kids were removed from their base schools. There were definitely fewer centers. I went to the center at Louise Archer, then on to Longfellow, then back to Madison.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you go on to study and where? What do you do for a living now? Just curious if AAP made a difference in your life..

It is so sad that people actually believe AAP is a life-changer! Check out recent high school graduates, ask where they're going to college, and then (if you're not too embarrassed!) ask whether they were in AAP during elem. or middle school. Of my high school DC's group of friends, exactly one was in AAP. He's going to Tech, and the other four kids in this group (including my DC) are headed to UVA, UMichigan, Stanford, and W&M. AAP is such a tiny blip in the whole scheme of things.

Yes, and the nights are long but the years are short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the 90s, admission to GT was only by WISC. A score of 130+ would get you school-based services and a score of 140+ would get you into the center. The experience was vastly different. The center classes were reserved for the highly gifted and it was a tight cohort. The general Ed classes were still great because only those tippy top kids were removed from their base schools. There were definitely fewer centers. I went to the center at Louise Archer, then on to Longfellow, then back to Madison.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you go on to study and where? What do you do for a living now? Just curious if AAP made a difference in your life..

It is so sad that people actually believe AAP is a life-changer! Check out recent high school graduates, ask where they're going to college, and then (if you're not too embarrassed!) ask whether they were in AAP during elem. or middle school. Of my high school DC's group of friends, exactly one was in AAP. He's going to Tech, and the other four kids in this group (including my DC) are headed to UVA, UMichigan, Stanford, and W&M. AAP is such a tiny blip in the whole scheme of things.

well the AAPers go to all those schools and more, like MIT. So your anecdote is kinda worthless since its based on such a small sample size.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is so sad that people actually believe AAP is a life-changer!

If you saw my son at his base school and then see him now at his AAP Center classroom, you would agree that it is a life-changer. The teachers and counselor at the AAP Center have really helped him grow. My son has ADHD and the base school teachers did not as much experience working with a child like him.

Is he in AAP so he will go to UVA, Michigan, Stanford, W&M, etc.? No. He is in AAP so he will successfully complete elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the 90s, admission to GT was only by WISC. A score of 130+ would get you school-based services and a score of 140+ would get you into the center. The experience was vastly different. The center classes were reserved for the highly gifted and it was a tight cohort. The general Ed classes were still great because only those tippy top kids were removed from their base schools. There were definitely fewer centers. I went to the center at Louise Archer, then on to Longfellow, then back to Madison.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you go on to study and where? What do you do for a living now? Just curious if AAP made a difference in your life..

It is so sad that people actually believe AAP is a life-changer! Check out recent high school graduates, ask where they're going to college, and then (if you're not too embarrassed!) ask whether they were in AAP during elem. or middle school. Of my high school DC's group of friends, exactly one was in AAP. He's going to Tech, and the other four kids in this group (including my DC) are headed to UVA, UMichigan, Stanford, and W&M. AAP is such a tiny blip in the whole scheme of things.

well the AAPers go to all those schools and more, like MIT. So your anecdote is kinda worthless since its based on such a small sample size.

Yes, and I'm sure the reason some students are accepted to MIT is solely because they were former AAP students. You honestly think they got into MIT because of AAP in elementary school? Get real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the 90s, admission to GT was only by WISC. A score of 130+ would get you school-based services and a score of 140+ would get you into the center. The experience was vastly different. The center classes were reserved for the highly gifted and it was a tight cohort. The general Ed classes were still great because only those tippy top kids were removed from their base schools. There were definitely fewer centers. I went to the center at Louise Archer, then on to Longfellow, then back to Madison.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you go on to study and where? What do you do for a living now? Just curious if AAP made a difference in your life..

It is so sad that people actually believe AAP is a life-changer! Check out recent high school graduates, ask where they're going to college, and then (if you're not too embarrassed!) ask whether they were in AAP during elem. or middle school. Of my high school DC's group of friends, exactly one was in AAP. He's going to Tech, and the other four kids in this group (including my DC) are headed to UVA, UMichigan, Stanford, and W&M. AAP is such a tiny blip in the whole scheme of things.

well the AAPers go to all those schools and more, like MIT. So your anecdote is kinda worthless since its based on such a small sample size.

Yes, and I'm sure the reason some students are accepted to MIT is solely because they were former AAP students. You honestly think they got into MIT because of AAP in elementary school? Get real.

I think AAP kids go to all the schools you mentioned and more including MIT. It takes more students from TJ than from any other high school, and yes those kids were almost certainly in AAP.

[Anonymous]

I tuink AAP can be life changer for twice exceptional kids or the kids who really struggle socially.

My kid is neither of those btw. I am just going on obwervations of his friends and classmates who are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught 2nd grade in FCPS in the 90s to 2001 and my good friend taught a 3rd grade GT center classes in my same school. Now, my DC is in an AAP Center. It is MUCH easier than it used to be. It was much higher level work and the center teachers didn't go back to do lots of review like they do now. It was actually a little too intense back in the day in terms of homework load but it has become too watered down now.

In my daughter's 4th grade center class this year the teacher has had to do a lot of review because 4 of the 20 kids just got into AAP starting in 4th grade and are behind. I think the parents who refer their child for entry after 3rd grade should have to commit to some tutoring/catch up work in the summer because it's unfair to hold the class back. (Also, perhaps if your self-referred in 3rd grade child truly needed to be in a center than she or he shouldn't need tutoring?)

Can i ask -- which subjects are they "behind" in? I'm thinking I might defer on an AAP invite until DC is in 5th grade. What would DC be behind in (we have Adv. Math at our non-center/non-Level4 school and DC is strongest in math). [/quote]

I wouldn't worry. Some parents defer kids until middle school (when I think AAP actually might be beneficial). We moved here when my oldest was in fourth grade unaware there was a GT program, so he didn't go to then until 5th. His teachers wouldn't worried. He was never behind since he was curious and always learning on his own anyway. Also quickly became the smartest kid in his math class. If they belong there, they'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the 90s, admission to GT was only by WISC. A score of 130+ would get you school-based services and a score of 140+ would get you into the center. The experience was vastly different. The center classes were reserved for the highly gifted and it was a tight cohort. The general Ed classes were still great because only those tippy top kids were removed from their base schools. There were definitely fewer centers. I went to the center at Louise Archer, then on to Longfellow, then back to Madison.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you go on to study and where? What do you do for a living now? Just curious if AAP made a difference in your life..

It is so sad that people actually believe AAP is a life-changer! Check out recent high school graduates, ask where they're going to college, and then (if you're not too embarrassed!) ask whether they were in AAP during elem. or middle school. Of my high school DC's group of friends, exactly one was in AAP. He's going to Tech, and the other four kids in this group (including my DC) are headed to UVA, UMichigan, Stanford, and W&M. AAP is such a tiny blip in the whole scheme of things.

well the AAPers go to all those schools and more, like MIT. So your anecdote is kinda worthless since its based on such a small sample size.

Yes, and I'm sure the reason some students are accepted to MIT is solely because they were former AAP students. You honestly think they got into MIT because of AAP in elementary school? Get real.

I think AAP kids go to all the schools you mentioned and more including MIT. It takes more students from TJ than from any other high school, and yes those kids were almost certainly in AAP.

If kids are MIT material it does not matter whether they were AAP or what school they went to. Your reasoning is faulty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the 90s, admission to GT was only by WISC. A score of 130+ would get you school-based services and a score of 140+ would get you into the center. The experience was vastly different. The center classes were reserved for the highly gifted and it was a tight cohort. The general Ed classes were still great because only those tippy top kids were removed from their base schools. There were definitely fewer centers. I went to the center at Louise Archer, then on to Longfellow, then back to Madison.

If you don't mind sharing, what did you go on to study and where? What do you do for a living now? Just curious if AAP made a difference in your life..

It is so sad that people actually believe AAP is a life-changer! Check out recent high school graduates, ask where they're going to college, and then (if you're not too embarrassed!) ask whether they were in AAP during elem. or middle school. Of my high school DC's group of friends, exactly one was in AAP. He's going to Tech, and the other four kids in this group (including my DC) are headed to UVA, UMichigan, Stanford, and W&M. AAP is such a tiny blip in the whole scheme of things.

So true. My son is a perfect example. Tests out of the park, great extra curriculars and internships and some of the projects he works on blow my mind. AAP (then GT) really challenged him and he loves learning, but has never really pushed himself to achieve in school. He's already been turned down at some of the schools you mentioned and would be lucky to get into Tech. Fortunately, life is a long road and I think he'll figure it out.

I don't think any one thing makes or breaks someone's future, certainly not AAP. People mature at different stages. People hit their groove at different points. It's sad that it's become a must-have for so many around here.

[Anonymous]

This reminds me of what someone said on a recent TJ thread: Don't go to TJ because of what it could mean for your college chances; go because you want to go to TJ.

Same with AAP, I'd argue: Don't put your child in because you think it'll help them get into TJ and/or get into a "good" college. See it just for what it is, an elementary and middle school program. And if your child is accepted and you think they'll get something out of it, great, then send them. And if not, great, don't. AAP is not some miracle stepping stone!

(FWIW, I am a former GT kid and my oldest is in AAP; I'm not saying any of the above out of sour grapes.)

[Anonymous]

I think that FCPS should disclose the distribution of testing scores on the NNAT and CoGAT so that we can see how kids perform today compared to 15 years ago. Then we can know for sure if they have lowered the bar or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that FCPS should disclose the distribution of testing scores on the NNAT and CoGAT so that we can see how kids perform today compared to 15 years ago. Then we can know for sure if they have lowered the bar or not.

The proverbial "bar" is not based on a single test score on a single day. So you would not "know for sure if they have lowered the bar or not."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that FCPS should disclose the distribution of testing scores on the NNAT and CoGAT so that we can see how kids perform today compared to 15 years ago. Then we can know for sure if they have lowered the bar or not.

The proverbial "bar" is not based on a single test score on a single day. So you would not "know for sure if they have lowered the bar or not."

If you want to know if the bar has been lowered, ask the AAP teachers who have been doing this for awhile. I think you'll find them pretty forthcoming that it has been.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that FCPS should disclose the distribution of testing scores on the NNAT and CoGAT so that we can see how kids perform today compared to 15 years ago. Then we can know for sure if they have lowered the bar or not.

The proverbial "bar" is not based on a single test score on a single day. So you would not "know for sure if they have lowered the bar or not."

If you want to know if the bar has been lowered, ask the AAP teachers who have been doing this for awhile. I think you'll find them pretty forthcoming that it has been.

+100 Both of my DC's 3rd grade teachers have said the same thing.