Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't care about whether AAP exists or not or whether centers are an option or not. I just want a system where kids who are above grade level in a subject can receive above grade level instruction in that subject.
AAP doesn't seem to work correctly in that manner, since a lot of kids who are above grade level aren't being admitted, and a lot of kids, even from the same school, who are on or below grade level are being admitted.
The HOPE scale seems like more proof that FCPS can't decide whether AAP is a gifted program, an above grade level instructional program, or a talent development program. It's trying to wear all 3 hats and is doing it quite poorly.
A lot of kids = a handful
I don't know exactly how it works now but before they changed everything, most kids were where you would expect them to be, the smart/bright/gifted kids in AAP and the regular kids in gen ed. It's only on DCUM where the gifted kids all get left out and the undeserving are admitted.
Wrong. Back in the day, when test scores mattered the most, your viewpoint would be correct. Now, when GBRS is 4 times more important than any test score, the above grade level kids with high cogats who are viewed by their second grade teacher as quite academically advanced but not especially creative or motivated don't get admitted to AAP.
The HOPE scale looks like a big improvement in this respect, since there are more academic categories and fewer fluff categories.
I appreciate that everyone dislikes standardized testing and I appreciate that standardized testing has its problems, but I still have yet to see a better system for evaluating students. In other words, standardized testing is like capitalism - there are a lot of bad incentives that it creates but it's the best of a bad bunch.
Introducing all these other factors (e.g., HOPE/GBRS), while well-intentioned, is muddying the waters. It is breeding resentment and suspicion and creating the conditions for a backlash, as the evaluation process becomes more and more indecipherable. At this point, no one can say with any certainty what the criteria are for getting admitted to AAP and so you have these long, convoluted discussion forums where frankly no one really knows anything. On top of that, the evaluation process is cloaked in so many committees and processes (e.g., school committee, centralized committee) so that no one can be held accountable.
I think everyone would be better off with having a simple and straightforward admissions process where anyone can get in, so long as they meet some objective, minimum standard. Having an objective, minimum standard will allow for anyone to get in, if they put in some effort. I know some will complain that that will water down AAP, which is a fair and correct criticism. However, AAP is already being watered down through this indecipherable evaluation process, so I don't think this really changes things. This also has the benefit of eliminating the anxiety and resentment of this admissions process and eliminating unnecessary workloads for teachers and administrators.
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