Neglected gifted child

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure lots of parents would be willing to drive to Longfellow for their center experience if within the Cooper boundary-I sure would!

"Their center experience"?

Exactly. The reason people fight so hard to get their kids into AAP is because they feel those kids get a superior education, and they want their kids to get 'the best' as well. It's the equivalent of buying a Mercedes rather than driving a Toyota.

People here are very into their image and their kids are a reflection of that. God forbid they are asked at a social event about their kids and AAP and they have to admit their kid is in a *gasp* regular classroom.

Those kids grow up with a perception of themselves that's rather unrealistic. When they get out of the insulated bubble that is this area and hit the real world, they realize they are not that special after all and that's when problems start.

I think there's great importance in giving one's kids a normal childhood, rather than a 'push, push' kind.

And the perception that people have a right to an advanced education on the government's dime? Don't even get me started.

COMPLETELY agree with you. I resent the fact that our public school system is putting more money and effort into teaching one group of kids than another; especially when the two groups are virtually indistinguishable. And as for the unrealistic perception many of these AAP kids have of themselves, that all comes to a halt when they reach the real world of high school and realize just how many outstanding students there really are out there. And many of them were in Gen Ed all this time! Gasp.

Except it is not the Gov't dime. It is our dimes. And, I am thinking this is a good use of tax dollars. The majority if Fairfax agree. That is why we have a world class education system. If you want to save money, move to PG county. You will save a lot. Or Prince William. I chose to live in a place with higher taxes for better schools. Period.

I

Exactly. And I am paying for your 'gifted' child. And don't have a choice as an individual. Will you pay for my child's private schooling please?

If you want private school, go to a county with lower taxes. it is a choice. you did not have to move here. I chose to move here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Were the founding fathers well-educated?

Most were self-educated--very well read. They had vision and common sense. We see little of that in FCPS.

Precisely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure lots of parents would be willing to drive to Longfellow for their center experience if within the Cooper boundary-I sure would!

"Their center experience"?

Exactly. The reason people fight so hard to get their kids into AAP is because they feel those kids get a superior education, and they want their kids to get 'the best' as well. It's the equivalent of buying a Mercedes rather than driving a Toyota.

People here are very into their image and their kids are a reflection of that. God forbid they are asked at a social event about their kids and AAP and they have to admit their kid is in a *gasp* regular classroom.

Those kids grow up with a perception of themselves that's rather unrealistic. When they get out of the insulated bubble that is this area and hit the real world, they realize they are not that special after all and that's when problems start.

I think there's great importance in giving one's kids a normal childhood, rather than a 'push, push' kind.

And the perception that people have a right to an advanced education on the government's dime? Don't even get me started.

COMPLETELY agree with you. I resent the fact that our public school system is putting more money and effort into teaching one group of kids than another; especially when the two groups are virtually indistinguishable. And as for the unrealistic perception many of these AAP kids have of themselves, that all comes to a halt when they reach the real world of high school and realize just how many outstanding students there really are out there. And many of them were in Gen Ed all this time! Gasp.

Except it is not the Gov't dime. It is our dimes. And, I am thinking this is a good use of tax dollars. The majority if Fairfax agree. That is why we have a world class education system. If you want to save money, move to PG county. You will save a lot. Or Prince William. I chose to live in a place with higher taxes for better schools. Period.

I

Exactly. And I am paying for your 'gifted' child. And don't have a choice as an individual. Will you pay for my child's private schooling please?

If you want private school, go to a county with lower taxes. it is a choice. you did not have to move here. I chose to move here

I'm paying for your kid's school, and my kids aren't in the publics. So why don't you pay for mine? Or at least allow me to put my tax dollars towards the school that works for my kid? Why are you and your kid special?

[Anonymous]

Different poster. I moved here, too. And, My taxes are high enough. I don't want higher taxes. FCPS needs to clean up its act--not get more money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different poster. I moved here, too. And, My taxes are high enough. I don't want higher taxes. FCPS needs to clean up its act--not get more money.

If you think the taxes here are high, don't bother moving north and north west!

[Anonymous]

Here is the thing: in 1997, I moved from PG county to Northern Virginia. In PG, my tax rate was much higher, but the taxes were 1/3rd (cheaper house). In PG I would not have put my DD in public school. I bought in Fairfax for the schools, picking an area known for the schools (NW Vienna). I have a smaller house than I had back then, and my house is 4x more expensive, but I do not have to pay for private.

If we gut the schools, Fairfax prices will plummet. Our housing is high because of the school. For example, look in Reston: Houses that feed into Dogwood are 20-30% less than houses feeding into Hunter Woods.

[Anonymous]

There is a lot of waste in the schools. It's not the schools that get the most money that are the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the thing: in 1997, I moved from PG county to Northern Virginia. In PG, my tax rate was much higher, but the taxes were 1/3rd (cheaper house). In PG I would not have put my DD in public school. I bought in Fairfax for the schools, picking an area known for the schools (NW Vienna). I have a smaller house than I had back then, and my house is 4x more expensive, but I do not have to pay for private.

If we gut the schools, Fairfax prices will plummet. Our housing is high because of the school. For example, look in Reston: Houses that feed into Dogwood are 20-30% less than houses feeding into Hunter Woods.

I don't think anyone's suggesting gutting the schools. But greatly reforming AAP - either by making it a program for only the highly gifted or opening it up to all - would go a long way with a lot of people. It might make FCPS more appealing than it currently is.

[Anonymous]

If you want private school, go to a county with lower taxes. it is a choice. you did not have to move here. I chose to move here

I chose to move here, too. Why should I have to pay taxes that are raised? What's wrong with current rate?

[Anonymous]

It is not all about FCPS. The way gifted are treated in Arlington is horrifying. And Alexandria City? Puhlease.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is not all about FCPS. The way gifted are treated in Arlington is horrifying. And Alexandria City? Puhlease.

Horrifying? Are they locked in closets and made to clean the erasers (or wipe the blackboard clean), while kids who didn't test quite as well as they did last year enjoy recess?

"Horrifying" is a rather strong word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not all about FCPS. The way gifted are treated in Arlington is horrifying. And Alexandria City? Puhlease.

Horrifying? Are they locked in closets and made to clean the erasers (or wipe the blackboard clean), while kids who didn't test quite as well as they did last year enjoy recess?

"Horrifying" is a rather strong word.

It shocks me greatly - yes. Horrifying. And disgraceful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is not all about FCPS. The way gifted are treated in Arlington is horrifying. And Alexandria City? Puhlease.

Horrifying? Are they locked in closets and made to clean the erasers (or wipe the blackboard clean), while kids who didn't test quite as well as they did last year enjoy recess?

"Horrifying" is a rather strong word.

It shocks me greatly - yes. Horrifying. And disgraceful.

Well come on over to FCPS where your child can be considered "gifted" even if they're just plain average! In fact, the entire school system revolves around these kids.

Is there no middle ground anywhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure lots of parents would be willing to drive to Longfellow for their center experience if within the Cooper boundary-I sure would!

"Their center experience"?

Exactly. The reason people fight so hard to get their kids into AAP is because they feel those kids get a superior education, and they want their kids to get 'the best' as well. It's the equivalent of buying a Mercedes rather than driving a Toyota.

People here are very into their image and their kids are a reflection of that. God forbid they are asked at a social event about their kids and AAP and they have to admit their kid is in a *gasp* regular classroom.

Those kids grow up with a perception of themselves that's rather unrealistic. When they get out of the insulated bubble that is this area and hit the real world, they realize they are not that special after all and that's when problems start.

I think there's great importance in giving one's kids a normal childhood, rather than a 'push, push' kind.

And the perception that people have a right to an advanced education on the government's dime? Don't even get me started.

COMPLETELY agree with you. I resent the fact that our public school system is putting more money and effort into teaching one group of kids than another; especially when the two groups are virtually indistinguishable. And as for the unrealistic perception many of these AAP kids have of themselves, that all comes to a halt when they reach the real world of high school and realize just how many outstanding students there really are out there. And many of them were in Gen Ed all this time! Gasp.

Except it is not the Gov't dime. It is our dimes. And, I am thinking this is a good use of tax dollars. The majority if Fairfax agree. That is why we have a world class education system. If you want to save money, move to PG county. You will save a lot. Or Prince William. I chose to live in a place with higher taxes for better schools. Period.

I

Exactly. And I am paying for your 'gifted' child. And don't have a choice as an individual. Will you pay for my child's private schooling please?

If you want private school, go to a county with lower taxes. it is a choice. you did not have to move here. I chose to move here

I'm paying for your kid's school, and my kids aren't in the publics. So why don't you pay for mine? Or at least allow me to put my tax dollars towards the school that works for my kid? Why are you and your kid special?

I don't drive on the road in front of your house. Should I get a tax break for that since I don't use that road? How about for not ever needing the services of the fire station closest to your home, or the parks by your house? How about not paying for the police officers who work close to your home but not near me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure lots of parents would be willing to drive to Longfellow for their center experience if within the Cooper boundary-I sure would!

"Their center experience"?

Exactly. The reason people fight so hard to get their kids into AAP is because they feel those kids get a superior education, and they want their kids to get 'the best' as well. It's the equivalent of buying a Mercedes rather than driving a Toyota.

People here are very into their image and their kids are a reflection of that. God forbid they are asked at a social event about their kids and AAP and they have to admit their kid is in a *gasp* regular classroom.

Those kids grow up with a perception of themselves that's rather unrealistic. When they get out of the insulated bubble that is this area and hit the real world, they realize they are not that special after all and that's when problems start.

I think there's great importance in giving one's kids a normal childhood, rather than a 'push, push' kind.

And the perception that people have a right to an advanced education on the government's dime? Don't even get me started.

COMPLETELY agree with you. I resent the fact that our public school system is putting more money and effort into teaching one group of kids than another; especially when the two groups are virtually indistinguishable. And as for the unrealistic perception many of these AAP kids have of themselves, that all comes to a halt when they reach the real world of high school and realize just how many outstanding students there really are out there. And many of them were in Gen Ed all this time! Gasp.

Except it is not the Gov't dime. It is our dimes. And, I am thinking this is a good use of tax dollars. The majority if Fairfax agree. That is why we have a world class education system. If you want to save money, move to PG county. You will save a lot. Or Prince William. I chose to live in a place with higher taxes for better schools. Period.

I

Exactly. And I am paying for your 'gifted' child. And don't have a choice as an individual. Will you pay for my child's private schooling please?

If you want private school, go to a county with lower taxes. it is a choice. you did not have to move here. I chose to move here

I'm paying for your kid's school, and my kids aren't in the publics. So why don't you pay for mine? Or at least allow me to put my tax dollars towards the school that works for my kid? Why are you and your kid special?

I don't drive on the road in front of your house. Should I get a tax break for that since I don't use that road? How about for not ever needing the services of the fire station closest to your home, or the parks by your house? How about not paying for the police officers who work close to your home but not near me?

Not the PP you were addressing this to, but the problem so many of us have with paying for AAP out of our taxes is that it isn't a program that any of these kids actually "need," unless it's reformed to include only those kids who are so off-the-charts that they can't be taught in any other way. In that way, it would be considered "special education". As it is now, it's an arbitrary grouping of one set of kids who are pretty much identical to another set. There is no reason our taxes should be paying for such a broadly defined advanced program unless it's open to all.