Easier to get into AAP if LOCAL lvIV?

[Anonymous]

We're considering moving to a new school for my son. My nephew goes to an AAP center so I know about the process. My sister-in-law says it's probably easier to get recommended for level IV if your school has a local class because the school needs for a certain number of kids to get into AAP in order to keep their Level IV status. Does that sound right? She means the school is more likely to have their local committee recommend your kid to the county-wide committee so they can get enough people and most of the lefel IV class isn't guests.

We'll want to do what ends up being best for my son, only if he qualifies, of course, in the future but I want to know for our school move. Thanks. (This is not why we're moving.).

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

How can the county justify this unevenness? Wild.

[Anonymous]

Of course it is. LLIV includes AAP and Gen. Ed kids in the same class. On the flip side, a center is AAP only kids in the AAP classes.

[Anonymous]

OP here, no - I knew it was easier in that a kid can be a guest. What I meant was is it easier to get officially into AAP lvIV because the local class needs you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can the county justify this unevenness? Wild.

They can't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course it is. LLIV includes AAP and Gen. Ed kids in the same class. On the flip side, a center is AAP only kids in the AAP classes.

It depends on the LLIV. At my DC's school the LLIV and LLIII are in the same core classes (math, science, English and history), the Gen Ed students are in separate classes. The LLIII students have a mix of AAP and Gen ED core classes depending on which AAP class(es) they qualify. For PE, music, art, homeroom, lunch, recess, everyone is together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, no - I knew it was easier in that a kid can be a guest. What I meant was is it easier to get officially into AAP lvIV because the local class needs you?

There is no designation for LLIV vs. Level IV. If a child is designated Level 4, they can choose LLIV if the school offers it or center placement. So I expect the county does not look at the placement. Now, what could change is it is possible that a LLIV school will not be afraid of losing the brightest kids, so GBRS could be higher.

[Anonymous]

...and at LLIV it is not Level IV and general ed kids combined; it is Level IV and designated Level III kids (infrequently Level II kids) how can handle the advanced curriculum.

Remember AAP designation is a continuum, not Level IV or nothing.

[Anonymous]

So, if a school is Local Level IV, could a child be in a Level IV math class but a non-Level IV reading class?

Our elementary is a Level IV/AAP Center, which I think means once a child hits 3rd grade, s/he is either in an AAP classroom or a GE classroom. Does that sound right? If a child is in a GE classroom at a AAP Center school, does s/he have an opportunity for any advanced level classes? I will of course check with school, but if anyone knows whether this info is correct/incorrect, please let me know. Thank you FCPS parents!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, no - I knew it was easier in that a kid can be a guest. What I meant was is it easier to get officially into AAP lvIV because the local class needs you?

No. Level IV Center placement is decided by the central screening committee. However, the GBRS is set by the LOCAL screening committee, which could deflate/inflate the GBRS accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: If a child is in a GE classroom at a AAP Center school, does s/he have an opportunity for any advanced level classes?

Yes, particularly in mathematics.

[Anonymous]

If a child is in a GE classroom at a AAP Center school, does s/he have an opportunity for any advanced level classes?


Yes, particularly in mathematics.

Thank you for posting! I was beginning to fear there was a huge gulf between GE and AAP classrooms at AAP Center schools.

[Anonymous]

There is a huge gulf if you're at a center school. At our center kids who are not officially level four can only visit the center classes for math. This year very few kids actually get to do it. Though the trend in the county is toward more mixing of groups.

At our center school it is very all or nothing. Level 3 doesn't mean much. It's basically an extra project once a month. The AAP specialist doesn't have much time left for level 3 enrichment with all of the testing days and helping the level 4 rooms. I know that's not the definition of level 3 services but it's the truth on the ground at a lot if centers. It's one advantage of non-center local level 4 schools.