Serious question - why should your kid be in AAP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AAP is not a "perfect behavior" program -- although some number of AAP kids get in simply because they are better behaved "good" students -- and thus seen as "bright" by their teachers -- while the super gifted child who is dancing on his desk with boredom is seen as "not smart enough for AAP". I'm kind of glad they ditched the GBRS score this year -- as that seemed so subjective.

I've had 4 kids in AAP. My two oldest were in a class (at the local school) with other AAP kids, and some number of "guested" AAP kids who were generally better behaved and had good study skills. The "guested" kids were frequently just as capable as the "true" AAP kids at being able to perform the AAP curriculum -- it's not that hard, and kids with good study skills can handle it just fine. I think they should get that opportunity. My younger 2 went to a Center School -- and saw much more of a mix of AAP kids -- including some who were very bright, but ALSO had "behavioral" challenges.

FFx County can't even decide for itself whether this program shoudl really be for "gifted" kids (it's not) or kids who are just capable of more or harder work at an earlier age. I liked the program simply because I think the expectations for education generally have sunk to a new low, and the AAP program has slightly higher expectations.

It is completely subjective and total bullshit for exactly the reason you pointed out. But what do you mean they ditched it? I thought they just altered it so it was a sliding scale instead of numbers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Her teacher this year is fine, but with the class size and some of the personalities I think she's not getting all she could.

Just so you know AAP classes were allowed to go up to 35 students a few years ago when ours were in the program. I guess they figured the kids/teachers could handle it - which couldn't be further from the truth as there are plenty of 2E kids in AAP. Not sure if this is the case now but the classes are no smaller and often bigger than GE. It was still a much better fit for our kids though.

Anonymous wrote:At my AAP center, AAP classes often have 31 or 32 students. GE classes are much smaller.

In our center this is not true, at least for 3rd grade. The AAP classes have about 20 or less, while GE have at least 25 each.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our center this is not true, at least for 3rd grade. The AAP classes have about 20 or less, while GE have at least 25 each.

Same here. DD's 3rd grade class is 17 kids. The other AAP class is 20. Gen Ed classes are larger.

[Anonymous]

Our center is crowded with larger classes (about 28 this year) but still absolutely the right place. It is not only the faster pace and more in depth approach to topics, but also being around other smart, motivated, nerdy kids.

- One DD was the "weird kid" because she liked to talk about space and science, and the other kids were absolutely not interested. One girl at her base school would walk away and say, "Ugh, you are SO WEIRD," every time my daughter spoke. Toward the end of the year, we caught this DD starting to minimize her intelligence and playing dumb, such as pretending she did not know how to spell basic words.

- Same DD is fairly advanced in math, and came home crying at the beginning of 1st grade because their assignment was to color the number 2. Like, literally to cut out and color a number. Her first grade classroom was chock full of boys with behavioral problems, and she spent most of first grade doing a worksheet in the corner by herself. The principal refused to allow her to change classes citing the need for "balance" in that classroom, and the once a week pull out she was getting was insufficient.

- Other DD, who is not as strong in math but is advanced verbally, was getting flak from other girls for raising her hand and speaking in class. She was excluded by the girls in her class and became very socially anxious. She is thriving in AAP and has a large group of friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because she has an IQ in the top 10% per psychological testing.

AAP is not supposed to serve kids with IQs merely in the top 10%. It should be reserved for top 2 or 3%.

But it is not reserved for the top 2 or 3%. It is inconsistently run to put it nicely and needs a complete redo. We were just informed (in a sidebar of course) our Center is "full" and the guest AAP placement are "full", whatever that even means, for 4th and above.

[Anonymous]

Because it's where they fall in the academic hierearchy of their particular school environment. I hate it. Hate the idea of *separate* gifted education. It goes against all that public school should represent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because she has an IQ in the top 10% per psychological testing.

AAP is not supposed to serve kids with IQs merely in the top 10%. It should be reserved for top 2 or 3%.

But it is not reserved for the top 2 or 3%. It is inconsistently run to put it nicely and needs a complete redo. We were just informed (in a sidebar of course) our Center is "full" and the guest AAP placement are "full", whatever that even means, for 4th and above.

What does this mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it's where they fall in the academic hierearchy of their particular school environment. I hate it. Hate the idea of *separate* gifted education. It goes against all that public school should represent.

You know, I haven't heard DD say anything about their classes and the gen ed classes being treated differently. She has friends from other third grade classes, because they do specials/recess with kids from those classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it's where they fall in the academic hierearchy of their particular school environment. I hate it. Hate the idea of *separate* gifted education. It goes against all that public school should represent.

You know, I haven't heard DD say anything about their classes and the gen ed classes being treated differently. She has friends from other third grade classes, because they do specials/recess with kids from those classes.

Same at our center. The kids play together at recess, they share specials, field trips, etc.

Public education is about educating kids, not having some kids learn nothing for years. I do not hate AAP.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Got the letter that DS is in the pool so the question about parent referral is moot.

[Anonymous]

AAP is not supposed to serve kids with IQs merely in the top 10%. It should be reserved for top 2 or 3%. I assume this is just your belief of what it should be and not an attempt to describe what it is? AAP is not a gifted program, nor is it advertised as such, and it has no hard-and-fast IQ score/percentile cut-off. It's a faster-paced and more in-depth version of the grade-level curriculum (until the grade-level jump in math). The only FCPS option for G&T is grade-skipping or, starting in middle school, advanced/honors classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AAP is not supposed to serve kids with IQs merely in the top 10%. It should be reserved for top 2 or 3%.

I assume this is just your belief of what it should be and not an attempt to describe what it is? AAP is not a gifted program, nor is it advertised as such, and it has no hard-and-fast IQ score/percentile cut-off. It's a faster-paced and more in-depth version of the grade-level curriculum (until the grade-level jump in math). The only FCPS option for G&T is grade-skipping or, starting in middle school, advanced/honors classes.


Actually, AAP is FCPS program for academically gifted children. Until 2009, it was called GT. The change in name from GT to AAP was not because standards changed, but rather because there are many types of gifted -- artistic, music, sports. But FCPS GT only addressed academics.