AAP Teachers-share your thoughts...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

So anecdotal only. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

So anecdotal only. Thank you.

Probably at least 100 people or more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

Survey sample of sour grapes, no doubt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

So anecdotal only. Thank you.

Probably at least 100 people or more.

What clusters were the parents representing? What level of school (ES vs. MS) and what school(s)? Were the schools part of a cluster where the AAP curriculum is provided to all students (such as but not limited to Cluster 1)? What level of AAP service were the parents referring to? What was the distribution of participation of students in Level IV vs. Local Level IV?

For more methodology specifics, see pp. 77 of the GMU program review:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/2013GMUReview.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

So anecdotal only. Thank you.

Probably at least 100 people or more.

You are bitching to at least a hundred people or more about AAP?

Holy cow!

I am sure many of them roll their eyes as you head there way and after you leave. They are likely agreeing with you because you are so worked up about this, and because it is sooo much easier to just smile and nod when someone can't get off a tangent.

That is so irrational! The poor parents at your school.

Are you the mom who wanted to organize a class action lawsuit against fcps over AAP selection? Give it up, lady. You will feel so much better and your health will improve as well.

[Anonymous]

As an AAP parent I find the comment that the program is filled with disruptive low achievers ridiculous. I do think the program is not as rigorous as it could be. I have a profoundly gifted child and the program offers little challenge. However, I feel lucky to live in a district that offers this type of program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OK whatever, so be it, you all are relentlessly "entitled". However, based on my parental observations, it is very clear the majority of the children in the AAP program have behavior problems and cannot function in the standard classroom environment or socially for that matter. Honestly it is probably best for these students to be at a separate school for their benefit but in an advanced academic program, NO.

I'm wondering how you are defining "entitled" in this context. I don't really see any evidence of entitlement in any of the above posts, but maybe I am using the word differently.

You have asked for information from people who have a background in education, so it sounds as though your background is not in education. Just as people who do not work in your field may not always understand everything about what you do for a living, can you see that you may not understand all the details of the educational system because your background is in a different subject area? It's possible that you don't know all the details about the situations of the students you are observing in the AAP class. The AAP classroom is for children whose needs cannot be met in the regular classroom, but that doesn't mean that they "cannot function in the regular classroom...." It is just that the AAP classroom is better suited to their learning needs.

As a parent, of course you love your child and want the best for your child. It is possible that the best fit for your child may be the regular classroom and there is not a thing wrong with that. I do think that the fact that your child is so successful (straight As, does all her work without help) in the regular classroom is a sign that that classroom is an excellent fit for her, and that is something to be happy about.

Perhaps you think you know things that you don't and feel you have the right to make judgment as to my background or whether I even have children. You are entitled to your opinion. Perhaps you need to stop thinking that your child is "entitled" to an AAP program above others and start thinking "out of the box" to include the IB worldly thinking. FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers. Like it or not it is what it is and reputations both good and bad speak loudly.

Expecting FCPS Parent

So, you don't have a child yet and are just concerned about a hypothetical child who gets straight As, does all his or her work, and wonders "what more could I do?" I did think you were asking for advice about a real child and was genuinely trying to use my background in education to be helpful to you.

I was not judging your background at all, I was simply using the context of your post to try to be helpful in discussing how the AAP works and for whom it is a good fit.

I don't feel my child is "entitled" to the AAP. I am glad FCPS has it because it was a good fit for my child who is now in high school. We have lived all over the country and not every school district offers these programs. My child would have been okay without it (I hope), but the program suited my child's needs in such a way that I believe high school is going better because of the AAP experience.

I'm not sure what IB has to do with AAP. Around here, IB is usually offered at the high school level and people choose between AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) schools. Yes, an IB elementary program exists in some parts of the country but it has nothing to with Advanced Academics in Fairfax County.

Just spend this time enjoying your pregnancy and then your new baby. Best wishes to you for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an AAP parent I find the comment that the program is filled with disruptive low achievers ridiculous. I do think the program is not as rigorous as it could be. I have a profoundly gifted child and the program offers little challenge. However, I feel lucky to live in a district that offers this type of program.

Why, of course you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OK whatever, so be it, you all are relentlessly "entitled". However, based on my parental observations, it is very clear the majority of the children in the AAP program have behavior problems and cannot function in the standard classroom environment or socially for that matter. Honestly it is probably best for these students to be at a separate school for their benefit but in an advanced academic program, NO.

I'm wondering how you are defining "entitled" in this context. I don't really see any evidence of entitlement in any of the above posts, but maybe I am using the word differently.

You have asked for information from people who have a background in education, so it sounds as though your background is not in education. Just as people who do not work in your field may not always understand everything about what you do for a living, can you see that you may not understand all the details of the educational system because your background is in a different subject area? It's possible that you don't know all the details about the situations of the students you are observing in the AAP class. The AAP classroom is for children whose needs cannot be met in the regular classroom, but that doesn't mean that they "cannot function in the regular classroom...." It is just that the AAP classroom is better suited to their learning needs.

As a parent, of course you love your child and want the best for your child. It is possible that the best fit for your child may be the regular classroom and there is not a thing wrong with that. I do think that the fact that your child is so successful (straight As, does all her work without help) in the regular classroom is a sign that that classroom is an excellent fit for her, and that is something to be happy about.

Perhaps you think you know things that you don't and feel you have the right to make judgment as to my background or whether I even have children. You are entitled to your opinion. Perhaps you need to stop thinking that your child is "entitled" to an AAP program above others and start thinking "out of the box" to include the IB worldly thinking. FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers. Like it or not it is what it is and reputations both good and bad speak loudly.

Expecting FCPS Parent

So, you don't have a child yet and are just concerned about a hypothetical child who gets straight As, does all his or her work, and wonders "what more could I do?" I did think you were asking for advice about a real child and was genuinely trying to use my background in education to be helpful to you.

I was not judging your background at all, I was simply using the context of your post to try to be helpful in discussing how the AAP works and for whom it is a good fit.

I don't feel my child is "entitled" to the AAP. I am glad FCPS has it because it was a good fit for my child who is now in high school. We have lived all over the country and not every school district offers these programs. My child would have been okay without it (I hope), but the program suited my child's needs in such a way that I believe high school is going better because of the AAP experience.

I'm not sure what IB has to do with AAP. Around here, IB is usually offered at the high school level and people choose between AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) schools. Yes, an IB elementary program exists in some parts of the country but it has nothing to with Advanced Academics in Fairfax County.

Just spend this time enjoying your pregnancy and then your new baby. Best wishes to you for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

NP here: I think the pregnant PP is someone different from the other PPs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

So anecdotal only. Thank you.

Probably at least 100 people or more.

You are bitching to at least a hundred people or more about AAP?

Holy cow!

I am sure many of them roll their eyes as you head there way and after you leave. They are likely agreeing with you because you are so worked up about this, and because it is sooo much easier to just smile and nod when someone can't get off a tangent.

That is so irrational! The poor parents at your school.

Are you the mom who wanted to organize a class action lawsuit against fcps over AAP selection? Give it up, lady. You will feel so much better and your health will improve as well.

I know, right? Kind of like those pathetic parents who are stalking the mailbox and/or email inbox for their snowflakes' test scores and constantly asking other parents if they've gotten their results yet. Nothing obsessive or scary about a laser focus on your 7 yr. old's chances of making AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

So anecdotal only. Thank you.

Probably at least 100 people or more.

You are bitching to at least a hundred people or more about AAP?

Holy cow!

I am sure many of them roll their eyes as you head there way and after you leave. They are likely agreeing with you because you are so worked up about this, and because it is sooo much easier to just smile and nod when someone can't get off a tangent.

That is so irrational! The poor parents at your school.

Are you the mom who wanted to organize a class action lawsuit against fcps over AAP selection? Give it up, lady. You will feel so much better and your health will improve as well.

I know, right? Kind of like those pathetic parents who are stalking the mailbox and/or email inbox for their snowflakes' test scores and constantly asking other parents if they've gotten their results yet. Nothing obsessive or scary about a laser focus on your 7 yr. old's chances of making AAP.

Actually, it is quite different.

Those parents are at least worrying about their own children.

You? You are freaking out and obsessing about a bunch of other people's children in a class your child is not a part of in a school your child might or might not attend.

Craziness.

I feel for all the folks that you keep talking to about this. It must be very annoying for them to remain so polite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the consensus I gather from talking with parents of (believe it or not) AAP and non-AAP students and many educators is that the current program has lost its distinguished reputation for the "cream of the crop" and has become a place mostly to deal with students who are disruptive, obstinate, low achievers.

Please share your survey methodology. Thank you.

-Member of AAPAC

Social acquaintances, friends, relatives, DCUM, neighbors, gyms.

So anecdotal only. Thank you.

Probably at least 100 people or more.

You are bitching to at least a hundred people or more about AAP?

Holy cow!

I am sure many of them roll their eyes as you head there way and after you leave. They are likely agreeing with you because you are so worked up about this, and because it is sooo much easier to just smile and nod when someone can't get off a tangent.

That is so irrational! The poor parents at your school.

Are you the mom who wanted to organize a class action lawsuit against fcps over AAP selection? Give it up, lady. You will feel so much better and your health will improve as well.

I know, right? Kind of like those pathetic parents who are stalking the mailbox and/or email inbox for their snowflakes' test scores and constantly asking other parents if they've gotten their results yet. Nothing obsessive or scary about a laser focus on your 7 yr. old's chances of making AAP.

Actually, it is quite different.

Those parents are at least worrying about their own children.

You? You are freaking out and obsessing about a bunch of other people's children in a class your child is not a part of in a school your child might or might not attend.

Craziness.

I feel for all the folks that you keep talking to about this. It must be very annoying for them to remain so polite.

PP here. I think you should really stop assuming you're having a conversation with just one person. There are several people on this forum contributing their thoughts, and I for one am not the pregnant poster. I'm just a regular ol' run-of-the-mill parent who *gasp* actually has a child in AAP. However, I'm reluctant to even mention this to others (friends, acquaintances, whomever) because I don't want to be viewed as one of those CRAZY AAP parents who are living vicariously through their elementary-aged children. It's quite embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

Well, move your child out of AAP as that is where you think she belongs.