Confused and frustrated by AAP selection

[Anonymous]

Sorry, this is just a vent. My child is in 4th grade in FCPS. He gets school-based Level II AAP in reading, writing, math, social studies. He is performing above grade level in these subjects. He has a GBRS score from his 3rd grade teachers of 14. His 3rd grade SOL scores were near perfect, with Pass-Advanced across the board. His NNT score from the 1st grade is relatively low, and his CogAT scores were all over the map (some very high, some very low). After further testing, a psychologist thinks the low scores are due to visual processing problems (later confirmed by an optometrist) compounded by ADHD that we were sorting through in the 1st and 2nd grades. We've shared all of this with the school. Why on earth his he only getting Level II and not Level III? Our school's AART has already indicated that mid-year program changes are not allowed. The FCPS AAP system is VERY frustrating. Is it this confusing and bureaucratic at most schools, or just our school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The FCPS AAP system is VERY frustrating. Is it this confusing and bureaucratic at most schools, or just our school?

Unfortunately, it varies from school to school.

Have you spoken with your school principal?

[Anonymous]

I think your school is more rigid than others. We have once a week pull outs in math in the first quarter, another subject in the second quarter, another in the third and another in the fourth quarter. Different kids are selected for each quarter depending on their strengths.

If you think he should be getting more (or want him in aap), then have him individually tested at gmu and use that to seek additional services.

[Anonymous]

Don't use GMU! They did a terrible job with my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't use GMU! They did a terrible job with my child.

In other words, the score came in lower than you expected.

[Anonymous]

If you have new testing from the psychologist who diagnosed ADHD, perhaps you should submit a parent referral for Level IV consideration in February.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't use GMU! They did a terrible job with my child.

got a low score eh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't use GMU! They did a terrible job with my child.

so the private paid testers will give you a better score, is that the implication?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't use GMU! They did a terrible job with my child.

so the private paid testers will give you a better score, is that the implication?

probably part of the reason FCPS is looking to limit additional testing to only certain testers.

[Anonymous]

OP here - putting aside all of the off-topic comments about whether or not to use GMU for testing - we haven't yet spoken with the principal, but are going to have another meeting with the AART first. The AART is only part time at our school, and is VERY defensive about where the kids are placed without being very forthcoming as to why. We're going to give it one more shot, and then we'll meet with the principal.

Depending on how of that goes, I may have a question about re-testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have new testing from the psychologist who diagnosed ADHD, perhaps you should submit a parent referral for Level IV consideration in February.

This makes sense. If your child qualifies for Level IV, it doesn't mean you have to move him to the AAP center. But it will give you leverage with the AART and principal in terms of getting more AAP services at the base school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't use GMU! They did a terrible job with my child.

got a low score eh?

Actually, no. It was for my non-AAP child who has LDs and ADHD, but we didn't know it then. We knew something was off but couldn't afford a complete neuropsych eval. Decided to start with a WISC to see if there was underachievement. Later, we forked over for the complete neuropsych eval. The psych (in another state) told us to shred the GMU results because they were so off. We've had other testing since that shows the GMU results were just odd. Witt our AAP child, there were ADHD red flags they told us to not worry about.

So no. I'm not bitter about a low score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't use GMU! They did a terrible job with my child.

so the private paid testers will give you a better score, is that the implication?

The GMU testers are also paid; what's the difference?

[Anonymous]

OP again. A couple of you have suggested that we get a retest, and then use that to inquire about Level IV. I struggle with this, and whether or not it is right/appropriate/worth it for our child. When we had him take the WISC-IV at the very end of 2nd grade, it was because we didn't understand why his CogAT and NNAT scores were all over the map, and so off with his behavior and academic performance. At the time, his 2nd grade teacher recommended him for Level IV, but the committee said no b/c of his test scores. We had him take the WISC to get some more understanding, and I'm glad we did because it revealed some underlying problems. The psychologist pointed out how his ADHD and his visual processing issues were likely impacting his scores on several of the subtests. On the other hand, on the subtests in which those issues were not factors, the highest he scored was in the Superior range. Fast forward to today - his report cards, his SOL scores, his GBRS score, and his overall academic performance definitely mean he needs to be challenged. We are so fortunate to have a fantastic gen ed 4th grade teacher who is excited to provide these challenges. So...do I think my son needs AAP? Definitely. Do I think he needs to be in Level III and not just Level II? YES. Do I think he should be in Level IV?? Honestly....I don't know! I know that Level IV is no longer a "gifted" program but an "advanced academics" program. My gut says he'd do just fine in Level IV. And we know other kids who are in Level IV who had lower-than High Superior test scores, but high GBRS scores, and who are doing well. But maybe my son will also continue to do just fine if he stays in gen ed with Level III. This is my big problem with the AAP program in general. I think it works great for those who are truly gifted, I think it does a disservice to those who are borderline Level III-Level IV.

As another point of info, I think I've heard that some schools provide pull-out advanced math instruction starting in the 5th grade to prepare kids to qualify for honors math in 7th grade. Our school does not do this. So for us, this whole Level III vs. Level IV question may have longer term implications for our son.

[Anonymous]

If you are seeking Level III for your son, I would talk with the AART and the school principal about it. Since your son is 2E (you do have an ADHD diagnosis, correct?) and you have testing done by a licensed psychologist, you now have enough information to request a referral to the Local Screening Committee.

http://www.fcps.edu/dss/seps/dueprocess-eligibility/504manual.pdf

From there you can likely request consideration for Level IV or (if you do not want that) Level III:

http://www.fcps.edu/cco/prc/faq.shtml#AAP

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/packet/Fillable_AAPSchool-BasedServicesReferralForm.pdf

Level IV referrals are due in early February, and my concern is you may not have enough time to do both the Local Screening Committee meeting and a Level IV referral. I would probably do both at the same time.

Both of my kids have 504 plans and one is in high school after going through AAP (and it is named for the service received, by the way) and the other is in 6th grade in an AAP Center. Both have ADHD and had widely disparate subtest scores on the WISC-IV as well.

Good luck!