AAP Results 2023

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current grade: 2nd
NNAT/CoGAT: CoGat 135
GBRS (if known):
School or center: Colvin Run
In/not in: not in

Not going to lie. Surprised and disappointed. Feeling a little lost. Part of me wants to appeal and part of me is just trying to figure out if I just need to live on my kid and be okay with the decision.

I had one kid AAP - who barely made it - and another kid who was not. I felt terrible for the gen ed kid thinking that I'd somehow failed her, as I didn't know there was an application process or much about AAP when she went through. I was very upset about it, but she seemed to enjoy her ES life and we had no complaints. Fast forward to MS, she's in all honors courses, honors orchestra and everything else that you could ask. Honestly, I do not think that she missed much by not being in AAP. She is far more studious than my DC in AAP and consistently has better scores. I only say this having been through both and realizing years later that both kids are excelling. For what it's worth.

Thank you so much for posting this. Is it possible to explain what you saw as the difference between Gen Ed and Level IV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:140 Cogat
Spent considerable time to prepare the parent referral
Stellar student, aces every test
I think SOLs are not great.
Colvin Run

Rejected.
Really upset. The school is too EASY for her and son is bored.

Any advice on the appeal?
I heard about getting tested at Geroge Mason.
Looking for any guidance.

I'm sorry, I was in your shoes a few years ago. We appealed and were rejected again (ouch). I asked for level 3 services during 3rd grade, which in our school were once weekly pull-outs with the AART. Applied again for 4th using work samples from those AART lessons. Combined with a MUCH higher GBRS (DC did not gel with 2nd grade teacher but adored 3rd) and DC was accepted for 4th.

This could be a route you consider. From what others have posted, not much weight is given to WISC and related any longer.

When did you request the Level III services? This is part of the mystery for me. I was always worried about what the school samples would be because none of the gen-ed work allowed for any demonstration of giftedness. It was all simple worksheets. My kid mentioned the weekly pullout and I realized that it might be related to Level III. But by the time I realized this, it was way late in the process. So it left me wondering if we likely had inadequate samples. I was so focused on my level IV referral, I didn't bother with Level III. We missed 4th grade now. So I supposed I have to make sure the pullout happens for 5th. But this crazy confusing. My goal is get more challenging work and I keep hearing that Level IV offers more homework and is more advanced in math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NNAT: 159
COGAT: 129 VQN
GBRS: Unknown
McLean Pyramid
Result: In

If you get your hands on the GBRS, please come back and share because maybe they were the deciding factor. NNAT = great; COGAT = okay.

Agree. My child had slightly higher scores in McLean pyramid and did not get in. I’m thinking it’s the GBRS

[Anonymous]

All kids who applied for level IV are automatically considered for level III if they don't get accepted. Nothing else to do, although don't think it hurts to prod

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current grade: 2nd
NNAT/CoGAT: CoGat 135
GBRS (if known):
School or center: Colvin Run
In/not in: not in

Not going to lie. Surprised and disappointed. Feeling a little lost. Part of me wants to appeal and part of me is just trying to figure out if I just need to live on my kid and be okay with the decision.

I had one kid AAP - who barely made it - and another kid who was not. I felt terrible for the gen ed kid thinking that I'd somehow failed her, as I didn't know there was an application process or much about AAP when she went through. I was very upset about it, but she seemed to enjoy her ES life and we had no complaints. Fast forward to MS, she's in all honors courses, honors orchestra and everything else that you could ask. Honestly, I do not think that she missed much by not being in AAP. She is far more studious than my DC in AAP and consistently has better scores. I only say this having been through both and realizing years later that both kids are excelling. For what it's worth.

Thank you so much for posting this. Is it possible to explain what you saw as the difference between Gen Ed and Level IV?

At middle school, it really depends If your kid is at an aap middle school or not. Our non-aap middle school’s honors classes are anything but. It’s almost comical and we want to love her to private next year. We are new to the county and didn’t know about aap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would an new IEP for ADHD be something worth pursuing an appeal over? My kiddo had a cogat of 135 and not in, but the ADHD diagnosis and IEP is new.

That cogat isn’t very high and what about gbrs? Perhaps the teacher notices something you don’t?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would an new IEP for ADHD be something worth pursuing an appeal over? My kiddo had a cogat of 135 and not in, but the ADHD diagnosis and IEP is new.

That cogat isn’t very high and what about gbrs? Perhaps the teacher notices something you don’t?

The county wide in-pool cut off was a 132 for many years. A 135 is in the 99th percentile, it is high. DS was accepted into LIV with a 135, a good number of kids are accepted in with a 135. There are schools were lots of kids are in the 140s but those are outliers and influenced by some combination of outside enrichment, highly involved parents, and test prep. The local norms move was meant to reflect that different school compositions lead to very different test results and local needs.

More likely then not the GBRS were not great for the child in question. If there is a new IEP and there has been a noticeable change in behavior and performance at school then that would be good to include in an appeals letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:140 Cogat
Spent considerable time to prepare the parent referral
Stellar student, aces every test
I think SOLs are not great.
Colvin Run

Rejected.
Really upset. The school is too EASY for her and son is bored.

Any advice on the appeal?
I heard about getting tested at Geroge Mason.
Looking for any guidance.

I'm sorry, I was in your shoes a few years ago. We appealed and were rejected again (ouch). I asked for level 3 services during 3rd grade, which in our school were once weekly pull-outs with the AART. Applied again for 4th using work samples from those AART lessons. Combined with a MUCH higher GBRS (DC did not gel with 2nd grade teacher but adored 3rd) and DC was accepted for 4th.

This could be a route you consider. From what others have posted, not much weight is given to WISC and related any longer.

When did you request the Level III services? This is part of the mystery for me. I was always worried about what the school samples would be because none of the gen-ed work allowed for any demonstration of giftedness. It was all simple worksheets. My kid mentioned the weekly pullout and I realized that it might be related to Level III. But by the time I realized this, it was way late in the process. So it left me wondering if we likely had inadequate samples. I was so focused on my level IV referral, I didn't bother with Level III. We missed 4th grade now. So I supposed I have to make sure the pullout happens for 5th. But this crazy confusing. My goal is get more challenging work and I keep hearing that Level IV offers more homework and is more advanced in math.

PP here. I sent a note to the AART after my DC was denied on appeal. Then I sent another request at the start of the next school year, asking her what the procedure was and if I needed to do anything else to have my child considered. It never hurts to ask! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:140 Cogat
Spent considerable time to prepare the parent referral
Stellar student, aces every test
I think SOLs are not great.
Colvin Run

Rejected.
Really upset. The school is too EASY for her and son is bored.

Any advice on the appeal?
I heard about getting tested at Geroge Mason.
Looking for any guidance.

I'm sorry, I was in your shoes a few years ago. We appealed and were rejected again (ouch). I asked for level 3 services during 3rd grade, which in our school were once weekly pull-outs with the AART. Applied again for 4th using work samples from those AART lessons. Combined with a MUCH higher GBRS (DC did not gel with 2nd grade teacher but adored 3rd) and DC was accepted for 4th.

This could be a route you consider. From what others have posted, not much weight is given to WISC and related any longer.

When did you request the Level III services? This is part of the mystery for me. I was always worried about what the school samples would be because none of the gen-ed work allowed for any demonstration of giftedness. It was all simple worksheets. My kid mentioned the weekly pullout and I realized that it might be related to Level III. But by the time I realized this, it was way late in the process. So it left me wondering if we likely had inadequate samples. I was so focused on my level IV referral, I didn't bother with Level III. We missed 4th grade now. So I supposed I have to make sure the pullout happens for 5th. But this crazy confusing. My goal is get more challenging work and I keep hearing that Level IV offers more homework and is more advanced in math.

My child is in 5th AAP. I don’t know that he necessarily has more homework, but certainly more projects and presentations. Math is one grade higher (5th does 6th).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is GBRS?

NP. It's the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale. Teachers complete it for students who are either in pool or referred. It's a huge crock, completely subjective and in no way predictive of whether a kid will do well in AAP. I don't have a dog in this fight anymore because my oldest is about to be done with the program and entering high school in the fall but I can't believe FCPS gets away with using this as a screening tool.

How do you find out your child's GBRS score? My daughter got in and I'd like to contribute to this thread to help provide our context.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is GBRS?

NP. It's the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale. Teachers complete it for students who are either in pool or referred. It's a huge crock, completely subjective and in no way predictive of whether a kid will do well in AAP. I don't have a dog in this fight anymore because my oldest is about to be done with the program and entering high school in the fall but I can't believe FCPS gets away with using this as a screening tool.

How do you find out your child's GBRS score? My daughter got in and I'd like to contribute to this thread to help provide our context.

Thanks

Ask your AART for your child's packet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is GBRS?

NP. It's the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale. Teachers complete it for students who are either in pool or referred. It's a huge crock, completely subjective and in no way predictive of whether a kid will do well in AAP. I don't have a dog in this fight anymore because my oldest is about to be done with the program and entering high school in the fall but I can't believe FCPS gets away with using this as a screening tool.

How do you find out your child's GBRS score? My daughter got in and I'd like to contribute to this thread to help provide our context.

Thanks

Email your AART and ask for the GBRS after spring break.

I agree with PP. I have one child in AAP and another who was just rejected. They had different 2nd grade teachers at the same elementary school and the level of detail/explanation on my younger child’s GBRS was an absolute joke compared to what my older child’s teacher submitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:140 Cogat
Spent considerable time to prepare the parent referral
Stellar student, aces every test
I think SOLs are not great.
Colvin Run

Rejected.
Really upset. The school is too EASY for her and son is bored.

Any advice on the appeal?
I heard about getting tested at Geroge Mason.
Looking for any guidance.

I'm sorry, I was in your shoes a few years ago. We appealed and were rejected again (ouch). I asked for level 3 services during 3rd grade, which in our school were once weekly pull-outs with the AART. Applied again for 4th using work samples from those AART lessons. Combined with a MUCH higher GBRS (DC did not gel with 2nd grade teacher but adored 3rd) and DC was accepted for 4th.

This could be a route you consider. From what others have posted, not much weight is given to WISC and related any longer.

When did you request the Level III services? This is part of the mystery for me. I was always worried about what the school samples would be because none of the gen-ed work allowed for any demonstration of giftedness. It was all simple worksheets. My kid mentioned the weekly pullout and I realized that it might be related to Level III. But by the time I realized this, it was way late in the process. So it left me wondering if we likely had inadequate samples. I was so focused on my level IV referral, I didn't bother with Level III. We missed 4th grade now. So I supposed I have to make sure the pullout happens for 5th. But this crazy confusing. My goal is get more challenging work and I keep hearing that Level IV offers more homework and is more advanced in math.

My child is in 5th AAP. I don’t know that he necessarily has more homework, but certainly more projects and presentations. Math is one grade higher (5th does 6th).

Kids in Advanced Math take 6th grade math in 5th grade as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much are iReady scores used to determine AAP acceptance?

NNAT: 135
COGAT: 120
No idea about the GRBS
Not in for Stratford Landing. Sort of surprised but daughters iReady scores aren’t very good. Tests and work samples are all great. She was in pool. Not parent referral.

Those scores are on the low side. Sorry to say.

Lots of kids used to get in without being in pool. I don’t know how it is now.

Pp here - yes definitely but this thread highlights scores that are equal or lower and they are in. See previous poster.

The previous poster of 122, Annandale, in is not helpful: 1) we have no idea what the 122 was from and what the other score was; 2) what the gbrs was; 3) if more lower ranking kids get in from Annandale than your school, etc. in any event, you can find one or two that got in with lower scores but it’s not the norm. I’m
Sorry you’re surprised- it should have been more expected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is GBRS?

NP. It's the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale. Teachers complete it for students who are either in pool or referred. It's a huge crock, completely subjective and in no way predictive of whether a kid will do well in AAP. I don't have a dog in this fight anymore because my oldest is about to be done with the program and entering high school in the fall but I can't believe FCPS gets away with using this as a screening tool.

How do you find out your child's GBRS score? My daughter got in and I'd like to contribute to this thread to help provide our context.

Thanks

Ask your AART for your child's packet.

If your child got in, please don't bother your AART for their packet, just so you can post on DCUM. The AART is going to be flooded with messages from disappointed parents asking for information about appeals. They don't need to extra work right now.