School won’t provide packets until April??

[Anonymous]

Look I rock the boat if I need to but IMO you really gotta do that sparingly, and I personally would not make the packet my hill to die on wrt to the school and AART.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing that they're not supposed to let you have the packets now, but some AARTs aren't following the rules. My school's very reasonable, very by-the-books AART wouldn't let me have the packets for my kids until after the decisions were mailed in April.

One of my kids was in pool and the other was a parent referral. There really wasn't a difference between an in-pool packet and a parent referral packet, except that the parent referral form is included in one and not the other.

I think it’s in the school’s discretion when to provide and probably some wait until April so as to limit the time they’re being bothered by parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing that they're not supposed to let you have the packets now, but some AARTs aren't following the rules. My school's very reasonable, very by-the-books AART wouldn't let me have the packets for my kids until after the decisions were mailed in April.

One of my kids was in pool and the other was a parent referral. There really wasn't a difference between an in-pool packet and a parent referral packet, except that the parent referral form is included in one and not the other.

FCPS AAP page online says packets are available "on parent request." It doesn't imply any sort of timeline. If I were OP, I'd directly ask the AART why she can't have a copy when she knows that they're readily available at other schools. If AART still refuses, then I'd schedule a time to come in to the school and just review the packet (not necessarily walk away with a copy). I would assume the school was trying to hide something if they refused a request to even just view the file.

Yes, this exactly!!!

And no, I’m not a mess at home at all lol. My kid doesn’t even know I have parent referred her. She doesn’t even know what AAP is! You all realize that is why we have message boards? We can be anxious on them but not in front of our kids!! And gen ed is a complete joke!

And what are you going to tell her when you take her for a WISC?

Good luck with the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing that they're not supposed to let you have the packets now, but some AARTs aren't following the rules. My school's very reasonable, very by-the-books AART wouldn't let me have the packets for my kids until after the decisions were mailed in April.

One of my kids was in pool and the other was a parent referral. There really wasn't a difference between an in-pool packet and a parent referral packet, except that the parent referral form is included in one and not the other.

I think it’s in the school’s discretion when to provide and probably some wait until April so as to limit the time they’re being bothered by parents.

I feel bad for the kids teachers who might have to deal with parents who are upset that their kid wasn't rated higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing that they're not supposed to let you have the packets now, but some AARTs aren't following the rules. My school's very reasonable, very by-the-books AART wouldn't let me have the packets for my kids until after the decisions were mailed in April.

One of my kids was in pool and the other was a parent referral. There really wasn't a difference between an in-pool packet and a parent referral packet, except that the parent referral form is included in one and not the other.

FCPS AAP page online says packets are available "on parent request." It doesn't imply any sort of timeline. If I were OP, I'd directly ask the AART why she can't have a copy when she knows that they're readily available at other schools. If AART still refuses, then I'd schedule a time to come in to the school and just review the packet (not necessarily walk away with a copy). I would assume the school was trying to hide something if they refused a request to even just view the file.

Yes, this exactly!!!

And no, I’m not a mess at home at all lol. My kid doesn’t even know I have parent referred her. She doesn’t even know what AAP is! You all realize that is why we have message boards? We can be anxious on them but not in front of our kids!! And gen ed is a complete joke!

And what are you going to tell her when you take her for a WISC?

Good luck with the process.

So far OP has told somebody to butt out and that they obviously know nothing, pouted about how unfair it is, complained about scheduling something because she doesn't want to have to cancel, and is now insulting every child in gen ed in Fairfax County because their education is a "joke."

Damn OP. You are a real winner. I have to believe you are fake.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to say that I think what OP is frustrated at is that there are different rules for different schools. I have been at 2 different schools where the AART happily provided me with copies of the packet once they sent them to the central committee. I’ve got an older child in AAP so I’m not as stressed about the process the second time around. I was just curious to see how the school viewed my child as the test scores for both my children were very high.

I would be concerned about possible mistakes in the packet as other posters have stated but once the packet goes to the central committee I don’t see any reason why any AART would hold them back. It’s not as if they are going to change anything if a parent complains about the commentary or work samples. I hope parents wouldn’t do that as they have the opportunity to provide their own comments and work samples.

What I would be upset about would be if there was a mistake in the file in reporting scores that could have been corrected without having to go through the appeal process. I didn’t think this could happen as I thought they would just include the test reports themselves but who knew. As I have been on this board for multi years I think there is one school that is known for not providing them until after decisions. I think OP is frustrated by the different treatment by different school. Just imagine how you would feel if there was a clear mistake that could have been corrected if you had access to the packet before decisions are made.

Not justifying some of the insults OP has been throwing around but saying her frustration is understandable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to say that I think what OP is frustrated at is that there are different rules for different schools. I have been at 2 different schools where the AART happily provided me with copies of the packet once they sent them to the central committee. I’ve got an older child in AAP so I’m not as stressed about the process the second time around. I was just curious to see how the school viewed my child as the test scores for both my children were very high.

I would be concerned about possible mistakes in the packet as other posters have stated but once the packet goes to the central committee I don’t see any reason why any AART would hold them back. It’s not as if they are going to change anything if a parent complains about the commentary or work samples. I hope parents wouldn’t do that as they have the opportunity to provide their own comments and work samples.

What I would be upset about would be if there was a mistake in the file in reporting scores that could have been corrected without having to go through the appeal process. I didn’t think this could happen as I thought they would just include the test reports themselves but who knew. As I have been on this board for multi years I think there is one school that is known for not providing them until after decisions. I think OP is frustrated by the different treatment by different school. Just imagine how you would feel if there was a clear mistake that could have been corrected if you had access to the packet before decisions are made.

Not justifying some of the insults OP has been throwing around but saying her frustration is understandable.

I understand the frustration, I think FCPS needs one unified process for all of this. The County mails out the NNAT and CogAT test scores on the same day. Packets are made available on the same day. I am not sure why some test scores are in SIS and others are not. DS teachers send weekly emails, they don't use blackboard. Other teachers are all blackboard. A lack of a uniform policy makes it more challenging for a parent.

I also get that some people found mistakes in their kids packets but is a lower DRA score going to sink your child's chance if you did a parent referral? I know some people reported that the NNAT and CogAT were wrong, which could be more problematic if the mistake drops your child below the threshold or further away from the threshold.

I parent referral means that the NNAT and CogAT where below the threshold, so if the DRA shows the kid is on grade level and not 6 months ahead, is that going to sink the packet? And if the DRA is misreported and the child wasn't admitted, you can include the correct DRA in the appeal. But if your kid wasn't approved and their NNAT and CogAT scores where below the threshold you have to get the WISC any way. At least, I can't see a parent appealing because the DRA was misreported.

But the idea that going to the Principal and saying "These schools released AAP Packets but your school isn't, I want my kids packet" strikes me as crazy. I have to believe that the committee is going to be talking tot he AART teacher and the Principal and do you really want them to be reporting that you, as a parent, are so determined to avoid Gen Ed that you went to a website to find out what schools had packages released so that you could get your kid packet earlier then the AART teacher was willing to release them? What do you think that is going to accomplish? You have now honked off the AART and the Principal. Either they are going to want to get you out of their school so they are going to sing your kids praise or they are in a position to subtly negatively influence your child's chances.

[Anonymous]

But.. if you don't speak up, FCPS just continues the craziness of different processes, standards, criteria, of AAP. So do speak up, just be kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But.. if you don't speak up, FCPS just continues the craziness of different processes, standards, criteria, of AAP. So do speak up, just be kind.

Each principal is king in his school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing that they're not supposed to let you have the packets now, but some AARTs aren't following the rules. My school's very reasonable, very by-the-books AART wouldn't let me have the packets for my kids until after the decisions were mailed in April.

One of my kids was in pool and the other was a parent referral. There really wasn't a difference between an in-pool packet and a parent referral packet, except that the parent referral form is included in one and not the other.

FCPS AAP page online says packets are available "on parent request." It doesn't imply any sort of timeline. If I were OP, I'd directly ask the AART why she can't have a copy when she knows that they're readily available at other schools. If AART still refuses, then I'd schedule a time to come in to the school and just review the packet (not necessarily walk away with a copy). I would assume the school was trying to hide something if they refused a request to even just view the file.

Yes, this exactly!!!

And no, I’m not a mess at home at all lol. My kid doesn’t even know I have parent referred her. She doesn’t even know what AAP is! You all realize that is why we have message boards? We can be anxious on them but not in front of our kids!! And gen ed is a complete joke!

And what are you going to tell her when you take her for a WISC?

Good luck with the process.

So far OP has told somebody to butt out and that they obviously know nothing, pouted about how unfair it is, complained about scheduling something because she doesn't want to have to cancel, and is now insulting every child in gen ed in Fairfax County because their education is a "joke."

Damn OP. You are a real winner. I have to believe you are fake.

Insulting every kid? Not at all, I’m insulting the gen ed curriculum and teaching I see. It’s not the poor kids’ fault. It’s the system. Teaching to the lowest common denominator. Behavioral issues galore and no way a teacher can keep up with all the IEPs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to say that I think what OP is frustrated at is that there are different rules for different schools. I have been at 2 different schools where the AART happily provided me with copies of the packet once they sent them to the central committee. I’ve got an older child in AAP so I’m not as stressed about the process the second time around. I was just curious to see how the school viewed my child as the test scores for both my children were very high.

I would be concerned about possible mistakes in the packet as other posters have stated but once the packet goes to the central committee I don’t see any reason why any AART would hold them back. It’s not as if they are going to change anything if a parent complains about the commentary or work samples. I hope parents wouldn’t do that as they have the opportunity to provide their own comments and work samples.

What I would be upset about would be if there was a mistake in the file in reporting scores that could have been corrected without having to go through the appeal process. I didn’t think this could happen as I thought they would just include the test reports themselves but who knew. As I have been on this board for multi years I think there is one school that is known for not providing them until after decisions. I think OP is frustrated by the different treatment by different school. Just imagine how you would feel if there was a clear mistake that could have been corrected if you had access to the packet before decisions are made.

Not justifying some of the insults OP has been throwing around but saying her frustration is understandable.

I understand the frustration, I think FCPS needs one unified process for all of this. The County mails out the NNAT and CogAT test scores on the same day. Packets are made available on the same day. I am not sure why some test scores are in SIS and others are not. DS teachers send weekly emails, they don't use blackboard. Other teachers are all blackboard. A lack of a uniform policy makes it more challenging for a parent.

I also get that some people found mistakes in their kids packets but is a lower DRA score going to sink your child's chance if you did a parent referral? I know some people reported that the NNAT and CogAT were wrong, which could be more problematic if the mistake drops your child below the threshold or further away from the threshold.

I parent referral means that the NNAT and CogAT where below the threshold, so if the DRA shows the kid is on grade level and not 6 months ahead, is that going to sink the packet? And if the DRA is misreported and the child wasn't admitted, you can include the correct DRA in the appeal. But if your kid wasn't approved and their NNAT and CogAT scores where below the threshold you have to get the WISC any way. At least, I can't see a parent appealing because the DRA was misreported.

But the idea that going to the Principal and saying "These schools released AAP Packets but your school isn't, I want my kids packet" strikes me as crazy. I have to believe that the committee is going to be talking tot he AART teacher and the Principal and do you really want them to be reporting that you, as a parent, are so determined to avoid Gen Ed that you went to a website to find out what schools had packages released so that you could get your kid packet earlier then the AART teacher was willing to release them? What do you think that is going to accomplish? You have now honked off the AART and the Principal. Either they are going to want to get you out of their school so they are going to sing your kids praise or they are in a position to subtly negatively influence your child's chances.

Packets have already been sent to the central committee. Asking for a copy of it wouldn’t influence my child’s chances at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to say that I think what OP is frustrated at is that there are different rules for different schools. I have been at 2 different schools where the AART happily provided me with copies of the packet once they sent them to the central committee. I’ve got an older child in AAP so I’m not as stressed about the process the second time around. I was just curious to see how the school viewed my child as the test scores for both my children were very high.

I would be concerned about possible mistakes in the packet as other posters have stated but once the packet goes to the central committee I don’t see any reason why any AART would hold them back. It’s not as if they are going to change anything if a parent complains about the commentary or work samples. I hope parents wouldn’t do that as they have the opportunity to provide their own comments and work samples.

What I would be upset about would be if there was a mistake in the file in reporting scores that could have been corrected without having to go through the appeal process. I didn’t think this could happen as I thought they would just include the test reports themselves but who knew. As I have been on this board for multi years I think there is one school that is known for not providing them until after decisions. I think OP is frustrated by the different treatment by different school. Just imagine how you would feel if there was a clear mistake that could have been corrected if you had access to the packet before decisions are made.

Not justifying some of the insults OP has been throwing around but saying her frustration is understandable.

I understand the frustration, I think FCPS needs one unified process for all of this. The County mails out the NNAT and CogAT test scores on the same day. Packets are made available on the same day. I am not sure why some test scores are in SIS and others are not. DS teachers send weekly emails, they don't use blackboard. Other teachers are all blackboard. A lack of a uniform policy makes it more challenging for a parent.

I also get that some people found mistakes in their kids packets but is a lower DRA score going to sink your child's chance if you did a parent referral? I know some people reported that the NNAT and CogAT were wrong, which could be more problematic if the mistake drops your child below the threshold or further away from the threshold.

I parent referral means that the NNAT and CogAT where below the threshold, so if the DRA shows the kid is on grade level and not 6 months ahead, is that going to sink the packet? And if the DRA is misreported and the child wasn't admitted, you can include the correct DRA in the appeal. But if your kid wasn't approved and their NNAT and CogAT scores where below the threshold you have to get the WISC any way. At least, I can't see a parent appealing because the DRA was misreported.

But the idea that going to the Principal and saying "These schools released AAP Packets but your school isn't, I want my kids packet" strikes me as crazy. I have to believe that the committee is going to be talking tot he AART teacher and the Principal and do you really want them to be reporting that you, as a parent, are so determined to avoid Gen Ed that you went to a website to find out what schools had packages released so that you could get your kid packet earlier then the AART teacher was willing to release them? What do you think that is going to accomplish? You have now honked off the AART and the Principal. Either they are going to want to get you out of their school so they are going to sing your kids praise or they are in a position to subtly negatively influence your child's chances.

Packets have already been sent to the central committee. Asking for a copy of it wouldn’t influence my child’s chances at all.

Also the central committee does not talk to the local AART or principal. They are screening thousands of applicants and don’t have time to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to say that I think what OP is frustrated at is that there are different rules for different schools. I have been at 2 different schools where the AART happily provided me with copies of the packet once they sent them to the central committee. I’ve got an older child in AAP so I’m not as stressed about the process the second time around. I was just curious to see how the school viewed my child as the test scores for both my children were very high.

I would be concerned about possible mistakes in the packet as other posters have stated but once the packet goes to the central committee I don’t see any reason why any AART would hold them back. It’s not as if they are going to change anything if a parent complains about the commentary or work samples. I hope parents wouldn’t do that as they have the opportunity to provide their own comments and work samples.

What I would be upset about would be if there was a mistake in the file in reporting scores that could have been corrected without having to go through the appeal process. I didn’t think this could happen as I thought they would just include the test reports themselves but who knew. As I have been on this board for multi years I think there is one school that is known for not providing them until after decisions. I think OP is frustrated by the different treatment by different school. Just imagine how you would feel if there was a clear mistake that could have been corrected if you had access to the packet before decisions are made.

Not justifying some of the insults OP has been throwing around but saying her frustration is understandable.

I understand the frustration, I think FCPS needs one unified process for all of this. The County mails out the NNAT and CogAT test scores on the same day. Packets are made available on the same day. I am not sure why some test scores are in SIS and others are not. DS teachers send weekly emails, they don't use blackboard. Other teachers are all blackboard. A lack of a uniform policy makes it more challenging for a parent.

I also get that some people found mistakes in their kids packets but is a lower DRA score going to sink your child's chance if you did a parent referral? I know some people reported that the NNAT and CogAT were wrong, which could be more problematic if the mistake drops your child below the threshold or further away from the threshold.

I parent referral means that the NNAT and CogAT where below the threshold, so if the DRA shows the kid is on grade level and not 6 months ahead, is that going to sink the packet? And if the DRA is misreported and the child wasn't admitted, you can include the correct DRA in the appeal. But if your kid wasn't approved and their NNAT and CogAT scores where below the threshold you have to get the WISC any way. At least, I can't see a parent appealing because the DRA was misreported.

But the idea that going to the Principal and saying "These schools released AAP Packets but your school isn't, I want my kids packet" strikes me as crazy. I have to believe that the committee is going to be talking tot he AART teacher and the Principal and do you really want them to be reporting that you, as a parent, are so determined to avoid Gen Ed that you went to a website to find out what schools had packages released so that you could get your kid packet earlier then the AART teacher was willing to release them? What do you think that is going to accomplish? You have now honked off the AART and the Principal. Either they are going to want to get you out of their school so they are going to sing your kids praise or they are in a position to subtly negatively influence your child's chances.

Packets have already been sent to the central committee. Asking for a copy of it wouldn’t influence my child’s chances at all.

Also the central committee does not talk to the local AART or principal. They are screening thousands of applicants and don’t have time to do that.

You seem to be concerned enough about your child's chances of being accepted that you think you might need a WISC. I have no idea who the committee talks to when someone files and appeal but I would not be surprised if they go back to the base school.

As for your comments about gen ed and kids with IEPs, there are plenty of kids who have IEPs who go on to do very good things, some even great things. The extra time and attention that they receive in school can help them reach their full potential. I had an IEP, 8 learning disabilities and ADHD. The school wanted to stick me in all remedial classes, my parents fought them on that. I ended up earning a PhD. Perhaps you should rethink what services schools should be providing. If you are so worried about your child ending up in a class with kids like myself, then take a look at private school.

Gen Ed kids go on to take AP and IB courses in high school. Some go on to TJ. A high percentage of kids in this area go on to college and graduate. A smaller percentage of those kids are AAP kids. Which means that the education kids are receiving in Gen Ed does a good job of preparing kids for high school and then into college.

[Anonymous]

How many packets do they screen? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There aren’t gbrs scores any more so it wouldn’t really help.

Oh for heaven’s sake. Commentary or whatever you want to call it. I want it.

You can get it in April. It's not being withheld from you.

Np. I think the frustration OP is feeling is from how schools are inconsistent in distributing the packet. Some schools refuse to give out the information until after decision letters are sent out, while others are willing to give them out after the local committee submits the file to the central committee. I've had kids at two schools and both schools gave me copies after it was sent to the central committee. I'm not sure why some schools refuse to give them out until decisions are made. My only guess is the AART is lazy and is hoping by the time decisions are out fewer people will want the packet.