What really IS the point of AAP?

[Anonymous]

The way I see it, AAP and/or honor or AP classes are higher "training" levels compared to Gen Ed. The earlier you start and the longer you stay on it, the better chance of success you would have.

Simple as that.

[Anonymous]

I had one child in it and one not. The only difference I see if the math advancement. The other classes are pretty much the same. I think it's more for the parents than the child.

Honestly they could do away with the whole program and just have separate math classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had one child in it and one not. The only difference I see if the math advancement. The other classes are pretty much the same. I think it's more for the parents than the child.

Honestly they could do away with the whole program and just have separate math classes.

Again, this is heavily dependent on the base school. If 90% of students in each class are reading on grade level or close to it, great plan. If 25% of the class is not, forget it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no point period.

I did gifted and talented 30 years ago in elementary school and there is absolutely no point.

There is no point to accelerate math, there is no point to attend afterschool training classes, there is no point for TJ either.

Accelerating math does more harm than good in many cases. Most folks aren't actually learning the material properly, additionally 1 class of Calculus in high school is plenty. Skipping more than one math sequence in college is universally panned.

The workplace does not care about AAP or TJ.

Success in life is based on who you know and your work ethic. Raw intelligence can make things easier and faster sometimes but that's about it.

It comes down to who you know basically and for kids with parents who do not know anybody who can help with connections etc., TJ does make a great dal of difference due to virtually all classmates/friends going on to become scientists, engineers, doctors, lawyers and professors etc. Most Asians would fall into this category of lacking social capital.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Science nerd mom here. Tax bracket is over 250k.

Yes my kids play sports. Healthy bodies are important to us.

Yes my kids are in AAP. Healthy minds are important to us.

AAP is the only reason why we are in FCPS or living in Fairfax county. We would otherwise live in CA.

AAP exists in part to keep the tax bracket average here high. Without it, a good portion of Fairfax county would just move. It’s very expensive to live here, and honestly without kids we could live in a more affordable area. The tracking works for us.

Creating this kind of competitive educational system also does one more thing: instead of teaching 1-4 different levels of kids in one class at a school, it’s down to about 1-2 for gen Ed and and AAP. It is a little easier for teachers. And I think helpful is raising kids up without lowering kids down.

Do I think it’s fair? The reality is that it is done in other counties/states but not so blatantly and not so much on such a large scale. The other reality is that a lot of parents assume their kids will get in and get mad when their kids don’t get in. So the OPs question gets posted much more often because people become aware of the difference. This is leads to my next observation:

I have one kid who is extremely intelligent (in aap) and another who is not as gifted in math (not in aap). But both do well because they know there is another group of kids who are in the smart class. The awareness that intelligence is awarded is important to them at this age and having local level IV is good.

In that aspect, it’s nice to have AAP. I think if there was a longitudinal study to see the effects of having this separation on overall graduation levels and advanced education in fcps that would most likely be the reason to keep aap vs eliminate it. But my observation is that it is good for our kids overall- even if they don’t get into aap.

But it IS lowering kids down. AAP kids frequently act entitled and like they are better than he general Ed kids and are frequently treated that way, too. Our school has a “fusion lab” with really cool stem stuff. My AAP kid is in there frequently and says it’s super fun, but my non-AAP kid has never been in there. The AAP class this year got an extra field trip that the gen ed kids didn’t get. How do you think that makes the gen ed kids feel? Like they’re not good enough.

Oh well. Life's not fair. Those AAP kids will also be getting higher salaries and live in nicer neighborhoods. Or do you think all of society should convert to socialism?

Hahahahaa, this is absolutely not the case. I know two former AAP/TJ kids - both are government employees. One lives in Burke, the other lives in Reston.

Wow, you know a whole two students? Have you contacted the american sociological association to publish your study? I was talking ON AVERAGE, genius. Clearly somebody never went to AAP lol

lol, AAP is a fairfax county thing, didn't exist where I grew up. My point is that AAP and even TJ do not have the long-lasting impact that you seem to think it does. Also, outside of this small community, nobody cares what high school you or your kid went to. Do you think tech bros out west are asking Brendan and Ella what high school they went to when they're interviewing for jobs? Nope nope nope.

- Ivy league undergrad, turned down an ivy league grad school for a better more rigorous curriculum, worked in tech for 20 years, now retired at 45. Tell me your quals, sweetie pie.

I don't think AAP has any effect at all. I just think the kids in AAP are intellectually superior to those that are not. Fellow ivy leaguer here, but only for my PhD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had one child in it and one not. The only difference I see if the math advancement. The other classes are pretty much the same. I think it's more for the parents than the child.

Honestly they could do away with the whole program and just have separate math classes.

Again, this is heavily dependent on the base school. If 90% of students in each class are reading on grade level or close to it, great plan. If 25% of the class is not, forget it.

We're not in FCPS so there is no AAP. I'm really not a fan or anything, but because my kids read above grade level they basically are ignored at school. This means that I get to teach reading in early ES and the school does almost nothing for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Science nerd mom here. Tax bracket is over 250k.

Yes my kids play sports. Healthy bodies are important to us.

Yes my kids are in AAP. Healthy minds are important to us.

AAP is the only reason why we are in FCPS or living in Fairfax county. We would otherwise live in CA.

AAP exists in part to keep the tax bracket average here high. Without it, a good portion of Fairfax county would just move. It’s very expensive to live here, and honestly without kids we could live in a more affordable area. The tracking works for us.

Creating this kind of competitive educational system also does one more thing: instead of teaching 1-4 different levels of kids in one class at a school, it’s down to about 1-2 for gen Ed and and AAP. It is a little easier for teachers. And I think helpful is raising kids up without lowering kids down.

Do I think it’s fair? The reality is that it is done in other counties/states but not so blatantly and not so much on such a large scale. The other reality is that a lot of parents assume their kids will get in and get mad when their kids don’t get in. So the OPs question gets posted much more often because people become aware of the difference. This is leads to my next observation:

I have one kid who is extremely intelligent (in aap) and another who is not as gifted in math (not in aap). But both do well because they know there is another group of kids who are in the smart class. The awareness that intelligence is awarded is important to them at this age and having local level IV is good.

In that aspect, it’s nice to have AAP. I think if there was a longitudinal study to see the effects of having this separation on overall graduation levels and advanced education in fcps that would most likely be the reason to keep aap vs eliminate it. But my observation is that it is good for our kids overall- even if they don’t get into aap.

But it IS lowering kids down. AAP kids frequently act entitled and like they are better than he general Ed kids and are frequently treated that way, too. Our school has a “fusion lab” with really cool stem stuff. My AAP kid is in there frequently and says it’s super fun, but my non-AAP kid has never been in there. The AAP class this year got an extra field trip that the gen ed kids didn’t get. How do you think that makes the gen ed kids feel? Like they’re not good enough.

Oh well. Life's not fair. Those AAP kids will also be getting higher salaries and live in nicer neighborhoods. Or do you think all of society should convert to socialism?

Hahahahaa, this is absolutely not the case. I know two former AAP/TJ kids - both are government employees. One lives in Burke, the other lives in Reston.

Wow, you know a whole two students? Have you contacted the american sociological association to publish your study? I was talking ON AVERAGE, genius. Clearly somebody never went to AAP lol

lol, AAP is a fairfax county thing, didn't exist where I grew up. My point is that AAP and even TJ do not have the long-lasting impact that you seem to think it does. Also, outside of this small community, nobody cares what high school you or your kid went to. Do you think tech bros out west are asking Brendan and Ella what high school they went to when they're interviewing for jobs? Nope nope nope.

- Ivy league undergrad, turned down an ivy league grad school for a better more rigorous curriculum, worked in tech for 20 years, now retired at 45. Tell me your quals, sweetie pie.

I don't think AAP has any effect at all. I just think the kids in AAP are intellectually superior to those that are not. Fellow ivy leaguer here, but only for my PhD

I would not say they are "intellectually superior," necessarily. I think they are likely above average kids who have spent the time or their parents pushed them in through an appeal, etc. Not that it's a bad thing, but I think you are kidding yourself if you think every AAP kid is "intellectually superior."

The part that is unfair is that through exposure to that peer group, those kids advance more than a kid with equal IQ who doesn't get accepted and is stuck with the Gen Ed program. Instead of having 20% of the FCPS kids own AAP, they should improve the Gen Ed program, give the under achievers the help they need, and have a very small AAP program for the 3-5% that are actually gifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Science nerd mom here. Tax bracket is over 250k.

Yes my kids play sports. Healthy bodies are important to us.

Yes my kids are in AAP. Healthy minds are important to us.

AAP is the only reason why we are in FCPS or living in Fairfax county. We would otherwise live in CA.

AAP exists in part to keep the tax bracket average here high. Without it, a good portion of Fairfax county would just move. It’s very expensive to live here, and honestly without kids we could live in a more affordable area. The tracking works for us.

Creating this kind of competitive educational system also does one more thing: instead of teaching 1-4 different levels of kids in one class at a school, it’s down to about 1-2 for gen Ed and and AAP. It is a little easier for teachers. And I think helpful is raising kids up without lowering kids down.

Do I think it’s fair? The reality is that it is done in other counties/states but not so blatantly and not so much on such a large scale. The other reality is that a lot of parents assume their kids will get in and get mad when their kids don’t get in. So the OPs question gets posted much more often because people become aware of the difference. This is leads to my next observation:

I have one kid who is extremely intelligent (in aap) and another who is not as gifted in math (not in aap). But both do well because they know there is another group of kids who are in the smart class. The awareness that intelligence is awarded is important to them at this age and having local level IV is good.

In that aspect, it’s nice to have AAP. I think if there was a longitudinal study to see the effects of having this separation on overall graduation levels and advanced education in fcps that would most likely be the reason to keep aap vs eliminate it. But my observation is that it is good for our kids overall- even if they don’t get into aap.

But it IS lowering kids down. AAP kids frequently act entitled and like they are better than he general Ed kids and are frequently treated that way, too. Our school has a “fusion lab” with really cool stem stuff. My AAP kid is in there frequently and says it’s super fun, but my non-AAP kid has never been in there. The AAP class this year got an extra field trip that the gen ed kids didn’t get. How do you think that makes the gen ed kids feel? Like they’re not good enough.

Oh well. Life's not fair. Those AAP kids will also be getting higher salaries and live in nicer neighborhoods. Or do you think all of society should convert to socialism?

Hahahahaa, this is absolutely not the case. I know two former AAP/TJ kids - both are government employees. One lives in Burke, the other lives in Reston.

Wow, you know a whole two students? Have you contacted the american sociological association to publish your study? I was talking ON AVERAGE, genius. Clearly somebody never went to AAP lol

lol, AAP is a fairfax county thing, didn't exist where I grew up. My point is that AAP and even TJ do not have the long-lasting impact that you seem to think it does. Also, outside of this small community, nobody cares what high school you or your kid went to. Do you think tech bros out west are asking Brendan and Ella what high school they went to when they're interviewing for jobs? Nope nope nope.

- Ivy league undergrad, turned down an ivy league grad school for a better more rigorous curriculum, worked in tech for 20 years, now retired at 45. Tell me your quals, sweetie pie.

I don't think AAP has any effect at all. I just think the kids in AAP are intellectually superior to those that are not. Fellow ivy leaguer here, but only for my PhD

I would not say they are "intellectually superior," necessarily. I think they are likely above average kids who have spent the time or their parents pushed them in through an appeal, etc. Not that it's a bad thing, but I think you are kidding yourself if you think every AAP kid is "intellectually superior."

The part that is unfair is that through exposure to that peer group, those kids advance more than a kid with equal IQ who doesn't get accepted and is stuck with the Gen Ed program. Instead of having 20% of the FCPS kids own AAP, they should improve the Gen Ed program, give the under achievers the help they need, and have a very small AAP program for the 3-5% that are actually gifted.

The way the program was initially designed, it was supposed to include intellectually gifted students and other students who could keep up and fill out the classes to give the gifted students a large cohort. The program has expanded somewhat over time. But that's how it started and that's how it is now, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Science nerd mom here. Tax bracket is over 250k.

Yes my kids play sports. Healthy bodies are important to us.

Yes my kids are in AAP. Healthy minds are important to us.

AAP is the only reason why we are in FCPS or living in Fairfax county. We would otherwise live in CA.

AAP exists in part to keep the tax bracket average here high. Without it, a good portion of Fairfax county would just move. It’s very expensive to live here, and honestly without kids we could live in a more affordable area. The tracking works for us.

Creating this kind of competitive educational system also does one more thing: instead of teaching 1-4 different levels of kids in one class at a school, it’s down to about 1-2 for gen Ed and and AAP. It is a little easier for teachers. And I think helpful is raising kids up without lowering kids down.

Do I think it’s fair? The reality is that it is done in other counties/states but not so blatantly and not so much on such a large scale. The other reality is that a lot of parents assume their kids will get in and get mad when their kids don’t get in. So the OPs question gets posted much more often because people become aware of the difference. This is leads to my next observation:

I have one kid who is extremely intelligent (in aap) and another who is not as gifted in math (not in aap). But both do well because they know there is another group of kids who are in the smart class. The awareness that intelligence is awarded is important to them at this age and having local level IV is good.

In that aspect, it’s nice to have AAP. I think if there was a longitudinal study to see the effects of having this separation on overall graduation levels and advanced education in fcps that would most likely be the reason to keep aap vs eliminate it. But my observation is that it is good for our kids overall- even if they don’t get into aap.

But it IS lowering kids down. AAP kids frequently act entitled and like they are better than he general Ed kids and are frequently treated that way, too. Our school has a “fusion lab” with really cool stem stuff. My AAP kid is in there frequently and says it’s super fun, but my non-AAP kid has never been in there. The AAP class this year got an extra field trip that the gen ed kids didn’t get. How do you think that makes the gen ed kids feel? Like they’re not good enough.

Oh well. Life's not fair. Those AAP kids will also be getting higher salaries and live in nicer neighborhoods. Or do you think all of society should convert to socialism?

Hahahahaa, this is absolutely not the case. I know two former AAP/TJ kids - both are government employees. One lives in Burke, the other lives in Reston.

Wow, you know a whole two students? Have you contacted the american sociological association to publish your study? I was talking ON AVERAGE, genius. Clearly somebody never went to AAP lol

lol, AAP is a fairfax county thing, didn't exist where I grew up. My point is that AAP and even TJ do not have the long-lasting impact that you seem to think it does. Also, outside of this small community, nobody cares what high school you or your kid went to. Do you think tech bros out west are asking Brendan and Ella what high school they went to when they're interviewing for jobs? Nope nope nope.

- Ivy league undergrad, turned down an ivy league grad school for a better more rigorous curriculum, worked in tech for 20 years, now retired at 45. Tell me your quals, sweetie pie.

I don't think AAP has any effect at all. I just think the kids in AAP are intellectually superior to those that are not. Fellow ivy leaguer here, but only for my PhD

I would not say they are "intellectually superior," necessarily. I think they are likely above average kids who have spent the time or their parents pushed them in through an appeal, etc. Not that it's a bad thing, but I think you are kidding yourself if you think every AAP kid is "intellectually superior."

The part that is unfair is that through exposure to that peer group, those kids advance more than a kid with equal IQ who doesn't get accepted and is stuck with the Gen Ed program. Instead of having 20% of the FCPS kids own AAP, they should improve the Gen Ed program, give the under achievers the help they need, and have a very small AAP program for the 3-5% that are actually gifted.

The way the program was initially designed, it was supposed to include intellectually gifted students and other students who could keep up and fill out the classes to give the gifted students a large cohort. The program has expanded somewhat over time. But that's how it started and that's how it is now, too.

.

It is just unnecessary to have 20% of the kids (50% in some schools) in a special program. Other kids could keep up, too. Just raise the bar for everyone and get rid of it. It’s so divisive but it makes the parents feel special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Science nerd mom here. Tax bracket is over 250k.

Yes my kids play sports. Healthy bodies are important to us.

Yes my kids are in AAP. Healthy minds are important to us.

AAP is the only reason why we are in FCPS or living in Fairfax county. We would otherwise live in CA.

AAP exists in part to keep the tax bracket average here high. Without it, a good portion of Fairfax county would just move. It’s very expensive to live here, and honestly without kids we could live in a more affordable area. The tracking works for us.

Creating this kind of competitive educational system also does one more thing: instead of teaching 1-4 different levels of kids in one class at a school, it’s down to about 1-2 for gen Ed and and AAP. It is a little easier for teachers. And I think helpful is raising kids up without lowering kids down.

Do I think it’s fair? The reality is that it is done in other counties/states but not so blatantly and not so much on such a large scale. The other reality is that a lot of parents assume their kids will get in and get mad when their kids don’t get in. So the OPs question gets posted much more often because people become aware of the difference. This is leads to my next observation:

I have one kid who is extremely intelligent (in aap) and another who is not as gifted in math (not in aap). But both do well because they know there is another group of kids who are in the smart class. The awareness that intelligence is awarded is important to them at this age and having local level IV is good.

In that aspect, it’s nice to have AAP. I think if there was a longitudinal study to see the effects of having this separation on overall graduation levels and advanced education in fcps that would most likely be the reason to keep aap vs eliminate it. But my observation is that it is good for our kids overall- even if they don’t get into aap.

But it IS lowering kids down. AAP kids frequently act entitled and like they are better than he general Ed kids and are frequently treated that way, too. Our school has a “fusion lab” with really cool stem stuff. My AAP kid is in there frequently and says it’s super fun, but my non-AAP kid has never been in there. The AAP class this year got an extra field trip that the gen ed kids didn’t get. How do you think that makes the gen ed kids feel? Like they’re not good enough.

Oh well. Life's not fair. Those AAP kids will also be getting higher salaries and live in nicer neighborhoods. Or do you think all of society should convert to socialism?

Hahahahaa, this is absolutely not the case. I know two former AAP/TJ kids - both are government employees. One lives in Burke, the other lives in Reston.

Wow, you know a whole two students? Have you contacted the american sociological association to publish your study? I was talking ON AVERAGE, genius. Clearly somebody never went to AAP lol

lol, AAP is a fairfax county thing, didn't exist where I grew up. My point is that AAP and even TJ do not have the long-lasting impact that you seem to think it does. Also, outside of this small community, nobody cares what high school you or your kid went to. Do you think tech bros out west are asking Brendan and Ella what high school they went to when they're interviewing for jobs? Nope nope nope.

- Ivy league undergrad, turned down an ivy league grad school for a better more rigorous curriculum, worked in tech for 20 years, now retired at 45. Tell me your quals, sweetie pie.

I don't think AAP has any effect at all. I just think the kids in AAP are intellectually superior to those that are not. Fellow ivy leaguer here, but only for my PhD

I would not say they are "intellectually superior," necessarily. I think they are likely above average kids who have spent the time or their parents pushed them in through an appeal, etc. Not that it's a bad thing, but I think you are kidding yourself if you think every AAP kid is "intellectually superior."

The part that is unfair is that through exposure to that peer group, those kids advance more than a kid with equal IQ who doesn't get accepted and is stuck with the Gen Ed program. Instead of having 20% of the FCPS kids own AAP, they should improve the Gen Ed program, give the under achievers the help they need, and have a very small AAP program for the 3-5% that are actually gifted.

The way the program was initially designed, it was supposed to include intellectually gifted students and other students who could keep up and fill out the classes to give the gifted students a large cohort. The program has expanded somewhat over time. But that's how it started and that's how it is now, too.

.

It is just unnecessary to have 20% of the kids (50% in some schools) in a special program. Other kids could keep up, too. Just raise the bar for everyone and get rid of it. It’s so divisive but it makes the parents feel special.

Getting rid of AAP would lower the bar for everyone, not raise it.

I’m a parent of a kid in AAP. I don’t feel “special” that my kid is in AAP. I’m appreciative that she’s in an environment that challenges her and feeds her curiosity for learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Science nerd mom here. Tax bracket is over 250k.

Yes my kids play sports. Healthy bodies are important to us.

Yes my kids are in AAP. Healthy minds are important to us.

AAP is the only reason why we are in FCPS or living in Fairfax county. We would otherwise live in CA.

AAP exists in part to keep the tax bracket average here high. Without it, a good portion of Fairfax county would just move. It’s very expensive to live here, and honestly without kids we could live in a more affordable area. The tracking works for us.

Creating this kind of competitive educational system also does one more thing: instead of teaching 1-4 different levels of kids in one class at a school, it’s down to about 1-2 for gen Ed and and AAP. It is a little easier for teachers. And I think helpful is raising kids up without lowering kids down.

Do I think it’s fair? The reality is that it is done in other counties/states but not so blatantly and not so much on such a large scale. The other reality is that a lot of parents assume their kids will get in and get mad when their kids don’t get in. So the OPs question gets posted much more often because people become aware of the difference. This is leads to my next observation:

I have one kid who is extremely intelligent (in aap) and another who is not as gifted in math (not in aap). But both do well because they know there is another group of kids who are in the smart class. The awareness that intelligence is awarded is important to them at this age and having local level IV is good.

In that aspect, it’s nice to have AAP. I think if there was a longitudinal study to see the effects of having this separation on overall graduation levels and advanced education in fcps that would most likely be the reason to keep aap vs eliminate it. But my observation is that it is good for our kids overall- even if they don’t get into aap.

But it IS lowering kids down. AAP kids frequently act entitled and like they are better than he general Ed kids and are frequently treated that way, too. Our school has a “fusion lab” with really cool stem stuff. My AAP kid is in there frequently and says it’s super fun, but my non-AAP kid has never been in there. The AAP class this year got an extra field trip that the gen ed kids didn’t get. How do you think that makes the gen ed kids feel? Like they’re not good enough.

Oh well. Life's not fair. Those AAP kids will also be getting higher salaries and live in nicer neighborhoods. Or do you think all of society should convert to socialism?

Hahahahaa, this is absolutely not the case. I know two former AAP/TJ kids - both are government employees. One lives in Burke, the other lives in Reston.

Wow, you know a whole two students? Have you contacted the american sociological association to publish your study? I was talking ON AVERAGE, genius. Clearly somebody never went to AAP lol

lol, AAP is a fairfax county thing, didn't exist where I grew up. My point is that AAP and even TJ do not have the long-lasting impact that you seem to think it does. Also, outside of this small community, nobody cares what high school you or your kid went to. Do you think tech bros out west are asking Brendan and Ella what high school they went to when they're interviewing for jobs? Nope nope nope.

- Ivy league undergrad, turned down an ivy league grad school for a better more rigorous curriculum, worked in tech for 20 years, now retired at 45. Tell me your quals, sweetie pie.

I don't think AAP has any effect at all. I just think the kids in AAP are intellectually superior to those that are not. Fellow ivy leaguer here, but only for my PhD

I would not say they are "intellectually superior," necessarily. I think they are likely above average kids who have spent the time or their parents pushed them in through an appeal, etc. Not that it's a bad thing, but I think you are kidding yourself if you think every AAP kid is "intellectually superior."

The part that is unfair is that through exposure to that peer group, those kids advance more than a kid with equal IQ who doesn't get accepted and is stuck with the Gen Ed program. Instead of having 20% of the FCPS kids own AAP, they should improve the Gen Ed program, give the under achievers the help they need, and have a very small AAP program for the 3-5% that are actually gifted.

The way the program was initially designed, it was supposed to include intellectually gifted students and other students who could keep up and fill out the classes to give the gifted students a large cohort. The program has expanded somewhat over time. But that's how it started and that's how it is now, too.

.

It is just unnecessary to have 20% of the kids (50% in some schools) in a special program. Other kids could keep up, too. Just raise the bar for everyone and get rid of it. It’s so divisive but it makes the parents feel special.

A good percentage of kids in Gen Ed are struggling to stay on grade level. A smaller percentage is below grade level. Raising the bar will crush those kids. AAP lets kids who are ahead continue to thrive in a more challenging environment while letting other kids learn at a pace that suits them.

[Anonymous]

This question comes up so often...
We ask too much of general ed teachers. They can be teaching 3 to 4 levels in one classroom. It's nearly impossible for them to help the advanced kids because they have to do work with the kids falling behind while getting everyone to master the on grade level work. If your kid is ahead, they will get an extra book club and end up helping their tablemates because the teacher will stick a struggling student with them to help.
If your kid is self-motivated, they may be avid readers or you can supplement with additional math at home.
If they are not, they may get bored with school.

I had 1 kid that really needed to be accelerated in math.
A second that was more artistic, but thrived in an AAP environment, where he was shy in his gen ed class.
A 3rd just was ready for more detailed work.

AAP doesn't translate to ivy leagues, but it does get your kid working around peers and hopefully focused on school. It's not the end all be all, but it sets them up a bit better for honors in middle school and AP in high school.

You know your kids best.

[Anonymous]

I posted previously, but I think there is a unnecessary forced scarcity to this program. There are more deserving kids than there are slots, which sends parents into a tizzy. Level III should be expanded and made more substantive -- something that would take the pressure off of Level IV. Level II is a joke and something most teachers try to do anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted previously, but I think there is a unnecessary forced scarcity to this program. There are more deserving kids than there are slots, which sends parents into a tizzy. Level III should be expanded and made more substantive -- something that would take the pressure off of Level IV. Level II is a joke and something most teachers try to do anyway.

It’s been watered down enough

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Science nerd mom here. Tax bracket is over 250k.

Yes my kids play sports. Healthy bodies are important to us.

Yes my kids are in AAP. Healthy minds are important to us.

AAP is the only reason why we are in FCPS or living in Fairfax county. We would otherwise live in CA.

AAP exists in part to keep the tax bracket average here high. Without it, a good portion of Fairfax county would just move. It’s very expensive to live here, and honestly without kids we could live in a more affordable area. The tracking works for us.

Creating this kind of competitive educational system also does one more thing: instead of teaching 1-4 different levels of kids in one class at a school, it’s down to about 1-2 for gen Ed and and AAP. It is a little easier for teachers. And I think helpful is raising kids up without lowering kids down.

Do I think it’s fair? The reality is that it is done in other counties/states but not so blatantly and not so much on such a large scale. The other reality is that a lot of parents assume their kids will get in and get mad when their kids don’t get in. So the OPs question gets posted much more often because people become aware of the difference. This is leads to my next observation:

I have one kid who is extremely intelligent (in aap) and another who is not as gifted in math (not in aap). But both do well because they know there is another group of kids who are in the smart class. The awareness that intelligence is awarded is important to them at this age and having local level IV is good.

In that aspect, it’s nice to have AAP. I think if there was a longitudinal study to see the effects of having this separation on overall graduation levels and advanced education in fcps that would most likely be the reason to keep aap vs eliminate it. But my observation is that it is good for our kids overall- even if they don’t get into aap.

But it IS lowering kids down. AAP kids frequently act entitled and like they are better than he general Ed kids and are frequently treated that way, too. Our school has a “fusion lab” with really cool stem stuff. My AAP kid is in there frequently and says it’s super fun, but my non-AAP kid has never been in there. The AAP class this year got an extra field trip that the gen ed kids didn’t get. How do you think that makes the gen ed kids feel? Like they’re not good enough.

Oh well. Life's not fair. Those AAP kids will also be getting higher salaries and live in nicer neighborhoods. Or do you think all of society should convert to socialism?

Hahahahaa, this is absolutely not the case. I know two former AAP/TJ kids - both are government employees. One lives in Burke, the other lives in Reston.

Wow, you know a whole two students? Have you contacted the american sociological association to publish your study? I was talking ON AVERAGE, genius. Clearly somebody never went to AAP lol

lol, AAP is a fairfax county thing, didn't exist where I grew up. My point is that AAP and even TJ do not have the long-lasting impact that you seem to think it does. Also, outside of this small community, nobody cares what high school you or your kid went to. Do you think tech bros out west are asking Brendan and Ella what high school they went to when they're interviewing for jobs? Nope nope nope.

- Ivy league undergrad, turned down an ivy league grad school for a better more rigorous curriculum, worked in tech for 20 years, now retired at 45. Tell me your quals, sweetie pie.

I don't think AAP has any effect at all. I just think the kids in AAP are intellectually superior to those that are not. Fellow ivy leaguer here, but only for my PhD

I would not say they are "intellectually superior," necessarily. I think they are likely above average kids who have spent the time or their parents pushed them in through an appeal, etc. Not that it's a bad thing, but I think you are kidding yourself if you think every AAP kid is "intellectually superior."

The part that is unfair is that through exposure to that peer group, those kids advance more than a kid with equal IQ who doesn't get accepted and is stuck with the Gen Ed program. Instead of having 20% of the FCPS kids own AAP, they should improve the Gen Ed program, give the under achievers the help they need, and have a very small AAP program for the 3-5% that are actually gifted.

The way the program was initially designed, it was supposed to include intellectually gifted students and other students who could keep up and fill out the classes to give the gifted students a large cohort. The program has expanded somewhat over time. But that's how it started and that's how it is now, too.

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It is just unnecessary to have 20% of the kids (50% in some schools) in a special program. Other kids could keep up, too. Just raise the bar for everyone and get rid of it. It’s so divisive but it makes the parents feel special.

Getting rid of AAP would lower the bar for everyone, not raise it.

I’m a parent of a kid in AAP. I don’t feel “special” that my kid is in AAP. I’m appreciative that she’s in an environment that challenges her and feeds her curiosity for learning.

I have kids in both. It would not lower the bar! The AAP stuff was presented in a more creative way and a little more in depth. All but the weakest students could handle AAP and the weakest students are the ones who actually need the help, not the brightest.

The major difference is math, which would be addressed in base schools. AAP is good, but there is no reason why 90% of it could not be taught to all but. Few Gen Ed students. It’s just not that special. I live in a high performing school district in another state and their classrooms had many of the same textbooks and approaches that my older kid had in AAP, aside from math enrichment. Having that experience really makes me think. My younger kid got ripped off in FCPS. The Gen Ed kids get really screwed in all of this.