Should AAP demographics represent FCPS as a whole

[Anonymous]

Want to hear thoughts, from all perspectives.

I keep hearing that certain groups are under-represented in AAP. The question is whether FCPS should ensure the AAP population mirrors the overall FCPS student population, by percentages of race, gender, background, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure the Asian population will love that proposal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure the Asian population will love that proposal.

m

LOL

[Anonymous]

No.

But fcps should qualify AAP by cluster, so that the top 1% of each cluster is at least served. This would help with demographics.

[Anonymous]

It should just be a much smaller program. Take care of that and most of the other problems go away.

[Anonymous]

Ideally it should. But not from quotas. Rather, the top 10% or 15% should not be biased towards a few ethnic groups. The fact that it clearly is indicates a larger social problem within the schools and the county.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

The requirements to enter the program are parent-centric which tends to favor asian and white families. Likewise, the use of GBRS also does the same. Studies show due to cultural bias, white teachers (and most teachers in FCPS are white) rarely identify giftedness in non-white or non-asian students. The system leans towards exclusion of brown children of varying races.

[Anonymous]

Not sure how to tackle it but this is a good article, albeit old - http://www.parentsunited.org/news/gifted-talented-and-invisible/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Want to hear thoughts, from all perspectives.

I keep hearing that certain groups are under-represented in AAP. The question is whether FCPS should ensure the AAP population mirrors the overall FCPS student population, by percentages of race, gender, background, etc.

Yes, it should. Will it, with our lifetime? Probably not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No.

But fcps should qualify AAP by cluster, so that the top 1% of each cluster is at least served. This would help with demographics.

There are no clusters anymore. They have been consolidated into 5 Regions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The requirements to enter the program are parent-centric which tends to favor asian and white families. Likewise, the use of GBRS also does the same. Studies show due to cultural bias, white teachers (and most teachers in FCPS are white) rarely identify giftedness in non-white or non-asian students. The system leans towards exclusion of brown children of varying races.

Tue tests are color blind, particularly the nnat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The requirements to enter the program are parent-centric which tends to favor asian and white families. Likewise, the use of GBRS also does the same. Studies show due to cultural bias, white teachers (and most teachers in FCPS are white) rarely identify giftedness in non-white or non-asian students. The system leans towards exclusion of brown children of varying races.

Tue tests are color blind, particularly the nnat

Not true at all. Statistics show otherwise, especially when some have the means for prep and others don't but keep fooling yourself into thinking so. A WISC is the closest one would come to being a "color-blind" test but most cannot afford to get one. The truth is life is racially and socioeconomically unbalanced and thus, so are programs like AAP. It is what it is, but let's not pretend these tests accurately capture giftedness. Even among asian and white kids, AAP is skewed heavily towards the verbally gifted and not non-verbally gifted students. Some would argue there is unfairness in that, but such is life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The requirements to enter the program are parent-centric which tends to favor asian and white families. Likewise, the use of GBRS also does the same. Studies show due to cultural bias, white teachers (and most teachers in FCPS are white) rarely identify giftedness in non-white or non-asian students. The system leans towards exclusion of brown children of varying races.

Tue tests are color blind, particularly the nnat

The NNAT is not "color-blind." It is non-verbal, and thus is supposed to catch gifted kids who, for example, might not speak English natively or have a lot of access to books. In our experience, and the experience of many others on this board, the CoGAT was a lot closer to both of our kids' tested IQs.

[Anonymous]

Interesting topic. I guess it comes down to whether "giftedness" occurs naturally in equal proportions across the population, or if the tests really are biased.

Should there be different standards for different demographic groups, to make sure all backgrounds are represented? I guess in theory, if that was necessary to have a good balance. Although I would then worry about backlash against students of color, if people thought they diddn't belong there.