GT/AAP Appeals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This appeal process is BS. If your son/daughter doesn't make it, he/she doesn't make it. This all about parental ego and wanting your son and daughter to have the G/T label. Give me a break. What's next - allowing parents to appeal to a university to reconsider their child's college application?

There are plenty of smart kids who don't get into GT. It's not the end of the world. Deal with it.

This appeal process is part of the whole selection process. If they don't make it through the whole process, then they don't make it for the next school year. (some of them may have good reason to retry next year)

I don't understand your problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:44 here. There is no gbrs conspiracy. If you review your child's packet, you will see that there is a comment sheet that has to be completed and submitted with specific observed examples that support the score in each category. This is typically completed by the entire second grade team, since most kids have multiple teachers due to flexible grouping. It is then discussed again by the local screening committee. There are no "random or downgraded" scores. Everything must be documented and the entire committee must agree before the packet is completed.

The gbrs conspiracy was created by disgruntled parents who
don't understand the true purpose of the aap program and how the evaluation process works, and need to find
some way to justify why the school didn't agree with the parents' assessment of their children's classroom traits.

Their is no truth to it.

GBRS is still subjective and has room for errors. Hence the appeal process.

[Anonymous]

I have no dog in this fight as my child got in AAP last year, and I have no idea whether he had a low or high GBRS since I never asked. However, the problem I see with the GBRS is, in addition to a teacher possibly being subjective among the group she is evaluating, the bigger problem lies with the fact that GBRS is not done consistently across schools. What one new might think is brilliant, an older, experienced teacher might not. Furthermore, in some schools, the GBRS is done by the teacher. In others by the AAP Resource person, and in still others, a combination of several teachers, the principal, and other staff members. Do these staff people even get any kind of training on how to fill out these forms and what constitutes a gifted behavior for a 7-year old? Plus there's always the chance of staff members deliberately giving low GBRS scores so the kids stay at the base schol. I don't think a low GBRS should keep a student out of AAP if he/she has high test scores.

[Anonymous]

POD. My dd did get in this year. Her base school IS a center, so she was at the school no matter what. I was told that a team worked on her package, including the AART teacher. Why is this different at other schools? If I were a committee member, I would expect an appeal from any kid denied admittance to the AAP program because of a low GBRS that is not supported by test scores or school samples. And if you don't have the funds to appeal...you are S.O.L ( I'm not referring to the test by that name either). The system is definitely flawed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this fight as my child got in AAP last year, and I have no idea whether he had a low or high GBRS since I never asked. However, the problem I see with the GBRS is, in addition to a teacher possibly being subjective among the group she is evaluating, the bigger problem lies with the fact that GBRS is not done consistently across schools. What one new might think is brilliant, an older, experienced teacher might not. Furthermore, in some schools, the GBRS is done by the teacher. In others by the AAP Resource person, and in still others, a combination of several teachers, the principal, and other staff members. Do these staff people even get any kind of training on how to fill out these forms and what constitutes a gifted behavior for a 7-year old? Plus there's always the chance of staff members deliberately giving low GBRS scores so the kids stay at the base schol. I don't think a low GBRS should keep a student out of AAP if he/she has high test scores.

I questioned this at my school and no one could give me a straight answer. The county AAP people told me it is a committee effort but yet someone at my daughter's school said that the AART sat down with the teacher and asked 10 or so questions and then the AART filled out the GBRS based on those answers. So I totally agree that the system is flawed. My daughter's teacher is a brand new 2nd grade teacher and she was out for part of the year for medical reasons. I really don't think she knew my daughter at all. I asked my daughter if she ever talks to her teacher and my daughter said no that her teacher tells her to just sit down and gives her more worksheets. My child's 1st and K teachers were absolutely shocked that she received such a low GBRS (9) and wanted to help me in the appeal process but they could not. The child that was rated on the GBRS is not the child we see at home nor the child seen in SACC or other settings. I was also told that a lot of gifted kids are "quiet gifted" and if they are not causing problems or "showing their gifted behaviors" then they are overlooked and hence the low GBRS.

[Anonymous]

I happen to agree with 13:44 (who seems to really know what he/she is talking about, and has hinted at "insider" status) and do not believe there is any GBRS conspiracy and do believe that the professionals involved are trying their darndest to make fair and reasonable assessments on the GBRS. Many people would be screaming bloody murder if the system was based soley on test scores, with no mechanism for any subjective analysis by the teaching professionals who work with the children. That said, my child's teacher (who is very good, but overworked) marked my child down on one category of the GBRS (motivation category) on the basis that my child is very quiet and does not speak up in class. My daughter is painfully shy and has a stutter, and her teacher knows that. I still think the teacher was doing the best she could with the information she had. But I am also sure that this is why we have to appeal (extreme shyness has been translated into a lack of motivation). I do think there is a tendancy for quiet children to get lower scores on the GBRS, but that's life, because frankly the kids who are quick to particpate in meaningful ways are going to look more promising in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Hi 9:00 we are also dealing with a 9 GBRS. Good luck to everyone on their appeals.

[Anonymous]

Is there is any website where we can warn other parents about the teachers? Thomas Jefferson High School kids have one where you can go and write your experience about teachers. It really helps other kids to know about any particular teacher. My dd suffered so much this year because of the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this fight as my child got in AAP last year, and I have no idea whether he had a low or high GBRS since I never asked. However, the problem I see with the GBRS is, in addition to a teacher possibly being subjective among the group she is evaluating, the bigger problem lies with the fact that GBRS is not done consistently across schools. What one new might think is brilliant, an older, experienced teacher might not. Furthermore, in some schools, the GBRS is done by the teacher. In others by the AAP Resource person, and in still others, a combination of several teachers, the principal, and other staff members. Do these staff people even get any kind of training on how to fill out these forms and what constitutes a gifted behavior for a 7-year old? Plus there's always the chance of staff members deliberately giving low GBRS scores so the kids stay at the base schol. I don't think a low GBRS should keep a student out of AAP if he/she has high test scores.

I questioned this at my school and no one could give me a straight answer. The county AAP people told me it is a committee effort but yet someone at my daughter's school said that the AART sat down with the teacher and asked 10 or so questions and then the AART filled out the GBRS based on those answers. So I totally agree that the system is flawed. My daughter's teacher is a brand new 2nd grade teacher and she was out for part of the year for medical reasons. I really don't think she knew my daughter at all. I asked my daughter if she ever talks to her teacher and my daughter said no that her teacher tells her to just sit down and gives her more worksheets. My child's 1st and K teachers were absolutely shocked that she received such a low GBRS (9) and wanted to help me in the appeal process but they could not. The child that was rated on the GBRS is not the child we see at home nor the child seen in SACC or other settings. I was also told that a lot of gifted kids are "quiet gifted" and if they are not causing problems or "showing their gifted behaviors" then they are overlooked and hence the low GBRS.

true in life in general though isn't it. How many bright ("intelligent") underachievers do you know? many workplaces are riddled with them. It don't see what good scoring high on a written test for intelligence, by itself, portends for success in the classroom, workplace or life. Hence the need for a GBRS.

[Anonymous]

I agree with 22:23, the same thing happened at our School too. I am also wondering why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Teacher should not be subjective. Some gifted kids really suffer because of the teachers poor judgment . I do believe in some Schools only classroom teacher does the assessment and they favor some kids specially if their parents volunteer in the classroom. My dd teacher is one of them.

Human nature. If the teacher has a lot of interaction with the parent, it would be uncomfortable to give low score for the kid.

Some teachers are more conservative, some teachers are more generous, teachers can have different attitude and views.
The Commitee should do better job making it more consistent.

[Anonymous]

Just got notice that our appeals packet was delivered to the appeals office. Yeah, good thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got notice that our appeals packet was delivered to the appeals office. Yeah, good thoughts.

Notice by letter? or email?

[Anonymous]

Sorry wasn't clear.We sent it registered mail through the US postal serviceand there seemed to be some delivery problems but the post office just informed us that it was delivered. No notice from the office themselves.

[Anonymous]

Just found this thread and was wondering if 13:44 (the informed poster) would be willing to share his/her thoughts on what WISC scores will suffice on appeal. We've heard 125+ if the GBRS is good (12+), and over 132 if the GBRS is 10 or less, and am wondering if this sounds right to you. Thanks!!!