struggling with decision- why so ugly here?

[Anonymous]

I think "struggling with decision" might be what prompts those who have BTDT to chime in, PP. My two cents would be a bright child who is motivated will do well anywhere, so if he/she is happy at their base school there are a lot of advantages to going to school in your own neighborhood. I knew a lot of kids who qualified for GT/AAP and stayed at our base school for those reasons.

"why so ugly here?" on the other hand, is provocative, and almost designed to draw people who don't like AAP to defend their positions.

[Anonymous]

As you all know, the LLIV and the Center offer the exact same program using the same text/resources and with teachers that are either certified or in the process of getting certified to teach AAP. I just made my decision to stay at our local school so that my child does not spend a lot of energy trying to adjust to the new environment rather than to truly enjoy the enrichment and challenge the program is designed to offer. Is the Center more academic? Possibly since there are more children that fall into the same catatory. Would the children learn more in the Center? Not necessarily. Kids may be able to involve and engage more in a smaller environment wihtout much competition. It was truly a tough decision but I just had to go with what I felt was best. Also, don't forget the fact that you have an option to switch to your center school or switch back to your local school after one year. Although this is probably not ideal, at least we have the option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

When you made the decision SOLs were not such a big part- they were non-existent or in their infancy. Class sizes were smaller too. Quite a bit has changed in the past 15+ years. I don't think your experience is as relevant as you seem to think it is. Your post only talked about your one child and her experience -not of any other children you may or may not have.

NP here. I had same experience as PP seven years ago when AAP was still GT and my child was referred by the AART to the program with near perfect scores on all tests (unprepped), presumably high GBRS and not one finger lifted by me to get child in. To all involved it wasn't even a question. Reading these forums today, that often seems to be more the exception.

Exactly. Nowadays, getting one's child into AAP has become an obsession for too many parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

There may be some of those--heck, they may make up half the population, for all I know. But, I assure you, gifted children continue to exist in the county. It's interesting that the OP was accused of being provocative when the statement I have bolded is unquestionably provocative on an AAP board.

OP, my answer to your question is: it's ugly here because it's an Internet message board. Those from the Glory Days of GT would have seen the same level of ugliness had people been able to follow along all day and post instantaneously from their smartphones back then.

[Anonymous]

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.


+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

Exactly. No prep at all. For the record, I did prep her for SAT. I bought her a study guide. I think she spent a couple of hours with it over a few months. She did great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

It depends on which school. I have a HS Junior and Freshman, their school routinely found 1/3-1/2 eligible for GT/AAP even back then. It switched from GT to AAP at some point after the first entered K and when the second entered 2nd grade. About a third would go to the Center until the current freshman was in the first LLIV class and more stayed than went. It was a big deal then too. Many parents appealed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

When you made the decision SOLs were not such a big part- they were non-existent or in their infancy. Class sizes were smaller too. Quite a bit has changed in the past 15+ years. I don't think your experience is as relevant as you seem to think it is. Your post only talked about your one child and her experience -not of any other children you may or may not have.

NP here. I had same experience as PP seven years ago when AAP was still GT and my child was referred by the AART to the program with near perfect scores on all tests (unprepped), presumably high GBRS and not one finger lifted by me to get child in. To all involved it wasn't even a question. Reading these forums today, that often seems to be more the exception.

The county has been using the term "AAP" since 2004 at the very latest (very, very easy to look this up). So your seven-year statement doesn't add up...just one of many inconsistencies when the detractors swoop in to tell their stories (and I'd estimate about 75% of them are indeed stories, not facts).

I normally ignore the trolls, but I do like catching them on blatant lies.

Not the PP, but it was very much "GT" ten years ago when my oldest was 8. So that would have been 2004. Perhaps you are the one who is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think "struggling with decision" might be what prompts those who have BTDT to chime in, PP. My two cents would be a bright child who is motivated will do well anywhere, so if he/she is happy at their base school there are a lot of advantages to going to school in your own neighborhood. I knew a lot of kids who qualified for GT/AAP and stayed at our base school for those reasons.

"why so ugly here?" on the other hand, is provocative, and almost designed to draw people who don't like AAP to defend their positions.

EXACTLY. In fact, I might go so far as to say that OP used a troll tactic in her thread title. You know, since "troll" is bandied about so recklessly here. But of course, no one called her on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

There may be some of those--heck, they may make up half the population, for all I know. But, I assure you, gifted children continue to exist in the county. It's interesting that the OP was accused of being provocative when the statement I have bolded is unquestionably provocative on an AAP board.

OP, my answer to your question is: it's ugly here because it's an Internet message board. Those from the Glory Days of GT would have seen the same level of ugliness had people been able to follow along all day and post instantaneously from their smartphones back then.

I highly doubt that. GT was understood to be a necessary program for kids who actually did need a different learning environment. I don't recall anyone having a problem with that, as most kids were in general ed. and there wasn't this very blatant, often arbitrary divide. And as far as the bolded statement, above, being seen as inflammatory by you, I'm wondering why ridiculous statements like "the peer group is what makes the difference" or "Gen Ed is so slow" are never called out. Those are just two examples of the plentiful and decidedly provocative comments seen on this forum all the time. But somehow they are acceptable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

There may be some of those--heck, they may make up half the population, for all I know. But, I assure you, gifted children continue to exist in the county. It's interesting that the OP was accused of being provocative when the statement I have bolded is unquestionably provocative on an AAP board.

OP, my answer to your question is: it's ugly here because it's an Internet message board. Those from the Glory Days of GT would have seen the same level of ugliness had people been able to follow along all day and post instantaneously from their smartphones back then.

I highly doubt that. GT was understood to be a necessary program for kids who actually did need a different learning environment. I don't recall anyone having a problem with that, as most kids were in general ed. and there wasn't this very blatant, often arbitrary divide. And as far as the bolded statement, above, being seen as inflammatory by you, I'm wondering why ridiculous statements like "the peer group is what makes the difference" or "Gen Ed is so slow" are never called out. Those are just two examples of the plentiful and decidedly provocative comments seen on this forum all the time. But somehow they are acceptable?

^ you're talking about a time before the Asians got here. DC's AAP center is more than half Asian and many are nearly as high. The 17% in AAP seems right in the ballpark to me for a place like Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

OP here- to all the kind hearted, generous of spirit parents who shared their wisdom, experience and thoughts- I thank you. Whether your experience was last year or a decade ago, I appreciate hearing your thoughts (I still think the program "means something" and can't imagine how you "prep"- but I valued your experience and willingness to share it). Where your intention was to help and share - thank you. To those who question my motives or intentions because of the way I framed a question or the word choices I made, I'm sorry to say that you are giving me way too much credit. My words were nowhere near that deliberate or well thought out. I was a mom struggling (as I mentioned) and reached out to vent and probably ask for help. Thanks for proving my point though. You'll be happy to know I chose the center school. Just as those moms I mentioned in my original post were thrilled to hear all those years ago that I did, in fact, quit breast feeding when it felt unworkable. Let the stoning begin!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- to all the kind hearted, generous of spirit parents who shared their wisdom, experience and thoughts- I thank you. Whether your experience was last year or a decade ago, I appreciate hearing your thoughts (I still think the program "means something" and can't imagine how you "prep"- but I valued your experience and willingness to share it). Where your intention was to help and share - thank you. To those who question my motives or intentions because of the way I framed a question or the word choices I made, I'm sorry to say that you are giving me way too much credit. My words were nowhere near that deliberate or well thought out. I was a mom struggling (as I mentioned) and reached out to vent and probably ask for help. Thanks for proving my point though. You'll be happy to know I chose the center school. Just as those moms I mentioned in my original post were thrilled to hear all those years ago that I did, in fact, quit breast feeding when it felt unworkable. Let the stoning begin!

It can be a tough decision and I can see how you thought coming to a place like DCUM might be helpful - in an ideal world, it should be. There are some people that are kind and helpful, even when anonymous and then there are those that use the anonymity to disregard all rules of civility and vent, rage, promote their own agendas. Best of luck to you and your DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.


+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

Exactly. No prep at all. For the record, I did prep her for SAT. I bought her a study guide. I think she spent a couple of hours with it over a few months. She did great!

Yay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- to all the kind hearted, generous of spirit parents who shared their wisdom, experience and thoughts- I thank you. Whether your experience was last year or a decade ago, I appreciate hearing your thoughts (I still think the program "means something" and can't imagine how you "prep"- but I valued your experience and willingness to share it). Where your intention was to help and share - thank you. To those who question my motives or intentions because of the way I framed a question or the word choices I made, I'm sorry to say that you are giving me way too much credit. My words were nowhere near that deliberate or well thought out. I was a mom struggling (as I mentioned) and reached out to vent and probably ask for help. Thanks for proving my point though. You'll be happy to know I chose the center school. Just as those moms I mentioned in my original post were thrilled to hear all those years ago that I did, in fact, quit breast feeding when it felt unworkable. Let the stoning begin!

Perhaps your wording was questioned because you saw fit to label other posters' views as "ugly". If anything, your "point" was proven by you.