Too many in AAP and the new F.A.T.

[Anonymous]

So why are teachers asking for the AAP program to be dismantled when they can't even handle differentiated instruction in the earlier grade classrooms before AAP starts? As for the math, have any teachers actually told FCPS adminstration that their advanced math program is too difficult to implement if in fact it is? I would have thought the program would have been discussed with actual teachers before deciding that it could be done. I made a decision to send our DC to public partly because of the advanced math program only to find out our well regarded public school is practically ignoring the advanced math pacing standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's what I think is also behind more and more kids getting designated as AAP. Please don't think I'm being insensitive or racist. One of the reasons we chose our neighborhood is the diversity in our school. More kids seem to stand out as advanced now, when they wouldn't have before, because they are being compared to the large number of kids in their class who are still learning English. I know many parents in my neighborhood who brag about how far ahead their children are based solely on the fact that their child seems bored. The reason the child seems bored is because teachers are teaching to the SOL tests and must go slowly and repeat themselves to help the English learners.

Moms tell me their child is in the top of the class and think that means their kid should go to a center but really that child seems like the top of the class because at our school 70% of kids are ESL students. (Obviously this isn't the case at every school but more and more schools have this profile.) I'm NOT saying the English learners aren't smart and talented too, of course they are, they just aren't comfortable with English yet. Two of my friends have rising 2nd graders and are already super intense kabout getting their kids into the center. Neither of these kids is above grade level in any area and they would NEVER stand out at a school like Mantua or at a school in McLean.

Interesting. We opted out of our neighborhood school for our oldest through NCLB. Our reasons at the time were that we felt that he would not get enough challenge (as well as their year-round schedule at that time, I was teaching on a traditional schedule). The school he ended up at was a "higher performing" school, with a very good reputation at least so far as people judge based on test scores. He is now in LLIV at that school. Before LLIV though, we were sorely disappointed at the teaching to the middle, and the lack of differentiation. The AART teacher was only there 2 days a week for the whole school, so in her defense, she was spread so thin. Most classes were pushing 30. We decided to send our 2nd to our neighborhood school, as he really needed smaller class sizes. He received a ton more differentiation than older ds ever did at our Title I neighborhood school. He got pull outs in K. The AART was there full-time. He was able to attend a special Science camp at his school this summer. Quite a few of my neighbors whose children are found Center Eligible have chosen to stay.

He is still little, but not sure what we would do if he were found Center eligible like big brother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous





Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids in AAP. One, DD, is highly social, loves reading and science, and would probably do just as well in Gen Ed-- she was fine in K to 2nd grade.

My other child had a miserable k-2 experience He was reading chaper books in preschool, way ahead in math, etc. He also dislikes sports and video games and is very introverted, so he had trouble making friends, and began to have problEm with self confidence. He also had sensory development issues, which are apparrently common in gifted boys, but it is hard for him to watch movies. He was bored in school, and began reading during class time. When his book was taken away, he would other ways to entertain himself, like drawing on his desk, and that also got him in trouble. When he moved to AAP, it was like he became almost a new child-- interested, engaged, happy and confident. The program was just whaT he needed.

I believe that some kids, like my son, need AAP every bit as much as other kids need special Ed-- they won't succeed in school without a teacher who understands gifted learneers and their particular social/emotional issues, as well as intellectual needs. That said, we are talking abuot a small % of kids (probably 5% or less) who really needs AAP to succeed in school. The rest of the kids seem more like DD-- often capable of doing the work in AAP, but they would also be fine in Gen Ed. Smart

I'm not saying that DD is less smart than DS- she is creative, loves to read, has an amazing talent for science, And an off the charts EQ. It's just that, IMHO, not every smart child in Fiarfax Co needs AAP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anonymous





Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids in AAP. One, DD, is highly social, loves reading and science, and would probably do just as well in Gen Ed-- she was fine in K to 2nd grade.

My other child had a miserable k-2 experience He was reading chaper books in preschool, way ahead in math, etc. He also dislikes sports and video games and is very introverted, so he had trouble making friends, and began to have problEm with self confidence. He also had sensory development issues, which are apparrently common in gifted boys, but it is hard for him to watch movies. He was bored in school, and began reading during class time. When his book was taken away, he would other ways to entertain himself, like drawing on his desk, and that also got him in trouble. When he moved to AAP, it was like he became almost a new child-- interested, engaged, happy and confident. The program was just whaT he needed.

I believe that some kids, like my son, need AAP every bit as much as other kids need special Ed-- they won't succeed in school without a teacher who understands gifted learneers and their particular social/emotional issues, as well as intellectual needs. That said, we are talking abuot a small % of kids (probably 5% or less) who really needs AAP to succeed in school. The rest of the kids seem more like DD-- often capable of doing the work in AAP, but they would also be fine in Gen Ed. Smart

I'm not saying that DD is less smart than DS- she is creative, loves to read, has an amazing talent for science, And an off the charts EQ. It's just that, IMHO, not every smart child in Fiarfax Co needs AAP

[list][list]The 5% rule should apply to "center based" learning for children who really need a more advanced curriculum. Have you, or many others in your situation, ever stopped to think that your child is not so much smarter than the rest but simply needs a different method of being taught the same materials?

IMO, the Fairfax County AAP program has lost sight of its purpose. It began as an immersion program for the "truly gifted” in order to offer them the advanced curriculum these children need. Through this process, there have been so many exceptions to the rule with inclusion for this, and inclusion for that, our “gifted” population is up to a whopping 20-25%! Really? No. It is children like yours who just need a different way of learning the same materials but instead are being given an “advanced academic” education that are fueling the complaints.

For example on another thread, a previous school board member is leading an "awareness" campaign for minority groups who feel they are under represented in the AAP center and Thomas Jefferson. A lawsuit has been filed. It is not just the minorities here. The bottom line is the AAP program is providing “advanced academics” to children who do need to be provided a “different way of teaching”, but, do not need “advanced academics”. Fairfax County Public Schools are discriminating by providing your child “advanced academics” just because he needs a “different way of learning” and not giving the “smart” child, who flourishes in the standard classroom environment, “advanced academics”. These AAP children have many more doors open to them. They automatically are placed in advanced middle school classes and given the “AAP stamp” on their school records which follows them all the way through their education. Not to mention a “better”, “advanced”, education. This is discrimination and I believe quite possibly “tracking” depending on the way in which the student gained acceptance into the AAP center.

A solution here might be to offer an “alternative learning” school where the curriculum is the same but taught differently and keep the AAP center for the truly “advanced top 5% learners” who would be accepted solely on their scholastic achievement and high IQ’s. I don’t know. But FCPS does need to correct this sooner than later. The program and process as it is today is discrimination – but not just for minorities.

[Anonymous]

A solution here might be for FCPS to offer “alternative learning” schools where the curriculum is the same but taught differently and keep the AAP center for the truly “advanced top 5% learners” where admission would be based solely on their scholastic achievement and high IQ’s.

[list]Maybe "alternative learning" classes in their cluster schools. A new school would just create another bone of contention.

[Anonymous]

Actually it is the parents of the posters below only wanting the top 5% or 2% or whatever in the AAP classes that is most frustrating to principals. I hear about these conversations often. Suzie's mom comes in and complains that they really should differentiate further within the 2 or 3 AAP classrooms so that Suzie is with just the absolute top learners. It is no longer good enough for some parents to have their child with all very bright children learning the same curriculum that has been presented for years. They have to know that their child is the very best of them all. FCPS is not specifically a gifted school. Go to Nysmith or Edlin if you want that environment.

[Anonymous]

Anything is fine by me.
My kids are top 1% according to WISC.

[Anonymous]

But really the top 0.5% are the only ones that are truly gifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anything is fine by me.
My kids are top 1% according to WISC.

what does that prove? Doesn't make that person academically advanced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually it is the parents of the posters below only wanting the top 5% or 2% or whatever in the AAP classes that is most frustrating to principals. I hear about these conversations often. Suzie's mom comes in and complains that they really should differentiate further within the 2 or 3 AAP classrooms so that Suzie is with just the absolute top learners. It is no longer good enough for some parents to have their child with all very bright children learning the same curriculum that has been presented for years. They have to know that their child is the very best of them all. FCPS is not specifically a gifted school. Go to Nysmith or Edlin if you want that environment.

This is why only the top 5% or 2% or, "exclusive performers", "geniuses", "Einstein’s", etc., etc..., or whatever you want to call them, should be the only ones getting a "real" advanced program because it is a small percentage of these exceptional learners which truly exist. Most others, with the exception of learning disabled, only need a "different way of teaching" and/or "standard way of teaching" for them to flourish!

It is very frustrating to me that so many in Fairfax County think their child is better and brighter than all of the rest. Why are you teaching this to your/our children? You know a percentage of them will also become, mentally ill, alcoholics, drug abusers, or god forbid dead by the age of 25. Can't you just accept the fact that we are all part of the human race and life is too short to focus on "one upping" the neighbors. Teach your kids to be smart and do their very best, to become responsible, caring, kind and considerate, honest, human beings not envious, backstabbing, boasting, rude, obnoxious, takers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually it is the parents of the posters below only wanting the top 5% or 2% or whatever in the AAP classes that is most frustrating to principals. I hear about these conversations often. Suzie's mom comes in and complains that they really should differentiate further within the 2 or 3 AAP classrooms so that Suzie is with just the absolute top learners. It is no longer good enough for some parents to have their child with all very bright children learning the same curriculum that has been presented for years. They have to know that their child is the very best of them all. FCPS is not specifically a gifted school. Go to Nysmith or Edlin if you want that environment.

This is why only the top 5% or 2% or, "exclusive performers", "geniuses", "Einstein’s", etc., etc..., or whatever you want to call them, should be the only ones getting a "real" advanced program because it is a small percentage of these exceptional learners which truly exist. Most others, with the exception of learning disabled, only need a "different way of teaching" and/or "standard way of teaching" for them to flourish!

It is very frustrating to me that so many in Fairfax County think their child is better and brighter than all of the rest. Why are you teaching this to your/our children? You know a percentage of them will also become, mentally ill, alcoholics, drug abusers, or god forbid dead by the age of 25. Can't you just accept the fact that we are all part of the human race and life is too short to focus on "one upping" the neighbors. Teach your kids to be smart and do their very best, to become responsible, caring, kind and considerate, honest, human beings not envious, backstabbing, boasting, rude, obnoxious, takers.

Actually, it's the top percentage that need the different way of teaching. They just don't learn in the same way as the middle group of students. They're not better (even if they are brighter!), they just need to learn in different ways. Why do people want to withhold these programs from kids who need them? Would we call for the end of special classes for kids who have learning challenges?

I am just thankful to live in a place that has different teaching available for all the kids that need it- and I hope these programs continue to be offered.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it is only the top performers who need a "different way of teaching". So... FCPS... stop giving "advanced academics" to every Tom, DICK and Lucy, Linda and PETER!!

[Anonymous]

I am just thankful to live in a place that has different teaching available for all the kids that need it- and I hope these programs continue to be offered.


[list]FCPS doesn't. Dumb A_ _! Different Teaching is in the form of "advanced academics". Why do you think everyone is B_ _ ching? "You people" just don't get it.

[Anonymous]

They're not better (even if they are brighter!)

[list]Exactly the proplem here.

Teach your kids to be smart and do their very best, to become responsible, caring, kind and considerate, honest, human beings not envious, backstabbing, boasting, rude, obnoxious, takers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

They're not better (even if they are brighter!)

[list]Exactly the proplem here.

Teach your kids to be smart and do their very best, to become responsible, caring, kind and considerate, honest, human beings not envious, backstabbing, boasting, rude, obnoxious, takers.

Well said, thank you!