Sound off if you think AAP is BS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

If it were only the top 2% of scores, you would still have very large centers in the TJ feeders, slightly smaller than currently centers in the Lake Braddock, West Springfield areas, and no centers in the poorer areas.

Would you need centers though? Maybe embed the program in neighborhood schools. Less transportation issues, etc.

Exactly. Centers are what have destroyed the fabric of so many FCPS communities. If the selection criteria went way up, far fewer kids would qualify and there would be no "need" for centers. There's no need for them now, in fact. Send the kids back to their base schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

If it were only the top 2% of scores, you would still have very large centers in the TJ feeders, slightly smaller than currently centers in the Lake Braddock, West Springfield areas, and no centers in the poorer areas.

Would you need centers though? Maybe embed the program in neighborhood schools. Less transportation issues, etc.

The entire point of centers is to make regular sized classes. In a school where 4 children per grade, or 4 children in the school, are center eligible, those children do not make up a regular sized class. Even in schools where 10 or 15 children per grade are center eligible, they don't make up one regular sized class.

Transportation is not really a problem. The problem is that some people complain very vocally.

You mean the taxpayers who are told there "aren't enough buses" to make sure all kids get to school at a reasonable time, as opposed to having to catch a 6:15 am bus for middle school? Where are all those extra buses? Oh, I know. They're driving miles out of their way every day, transporting kids to center schools. Many are even driving right past the base schools to get there.

This taxpayer will continue "complaining very vocally" about this incredible inequity, and I hope others will as well. There is no reason AAP kids should be provided free busing when they could just as easily go to their neighborhood school. That would free up the necessary buses FCPS claims they don't have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you have 25 - 50% in AAP, the term "gifted" has lost all meaning.

There are NOT 25-50% of fcps kids in AAP centers/level IV.

You need to try to brush up on facts.

No, you need to brush up on your facts. Of the three schools closest to my house: One has 35%, one has 33% and the other has 25%. There are schools with up to 50% kids in AAP. That is a fact.

This is absolutely true.

My child had to attend a center school with 46% AAP kids. They might as well simply make AAP the regular curriculum and give the kids who struggle (there would only be a few) extra help. Far more efficient and equitable. This is a PUBLIC school system, after all.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the original concept - where there exists a very small percentage of kids that have a high IQ and at one time were not able to access a curriculum that met their needs. I do believe maybe *AT MOST* and I'm being generous - 5% of FCPS kids have a very high IQ and have exceptionally gifted capabilities. Those kids should have special resources. Fine.

That being said, the situation that has devolved over the past 3 decades is a joke. I am seeing overbearing parents pushing their kids to steal a ticket into the program and I am getting sick of it. Schools have between 25% - 50% gifted students across the board. What is the point of that?

What if we decided to create a special classroom for children gifted in sports? Why not? Time and time again, those gifted in sports become our brilliant leaders of the future? Why not continue to foster those values in the classroom?

What if we decided to create special classrooms for children gifted in beauty? How would society react to that? One could argue that beauty is a major factor to success. Intelligence is not a definitive indicator of success.

Anyone else see how ridiculous and unequal this has all become? If you don't then please help me understand otherwise.

I am most interested in hearing responses from parents of kids who are non-AAP.

Sour grapes?

Not the OP, but s/he wisely is looking for the perspectives and experiences of the parents who don't have kids in AAP, to get a realistic picture of what this program has done to the community at large. Obviously, parents with kids in AAP are going to wax poetic about it and insist that without it, life as we know it simply wouldn't exist. Which we all know is utter BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

Top 2% of FCPS is not top 2% nationally. It's why the FCPS CogAT is not nationally normed. For perspective-- about 2% of each FCPS class is admitted to TJ.

Who cares nationally? Locally, it's causing a huge disruption and it's time to revisit the goal of AAP and also the approach. Something got lost along the way.

What has happened locally is that fcps AAP program and TJ have attracted a lot of families with high performing kids away from districts like Arlington & MC, which brings in more NMSFs, higher SATs, more prestige, etc, which attracts more educated, high achieving families which raises property valies which raises tax revenue for fcps.

+1. This. It's exactly doesn't Karen Garza has zero interest in getting rid of AAP. And why Fairfax County has a tech corridor.

It's utter hubris to declare that Fairfax County's tech corridor exists because of AAP. It would exist regardless. Plenty of highly-educated, professional parents live in Fairfax County and don't have kids in AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

Top 2% of FCPS is not top 2% nationally. It's why the FCPS CogAT is not nationally normed. For perspective-- about 2% of each FCPS class is admitted to TJ.

Who cares nationally? Locally, it's causing a huge disruption and it's time to revisit the goal of AAP and also the approach. Something got lost along the way.

What has happened locally is that fcps AAP program and TJ have attracted a lot of families with high performing kids away from districts like Arlington & MC, which brings in more NMSFs, higher SATs, more prestige, etc, which attracts more educated, high achieving families which raises property valies which raises tax revenue for fcps.

+1. This. It's exactly doesn't Karen Garza has zero interest in getting rid of AAP. And why Fairfax County has a tech corridor.

It's utter hubris to declare that Fairfax County's tech corridor exists because of AAP. It would exist regardless. Plenty of highly-educated, professional parents live in Fairfax County and don't have kids in AAP.

As a twenty something professional, before I had kids (and before I discovered DCUM), I knew about Fairfax and their gifted program. It's a draw. One of many, sure, but definitely one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you have 25 - 50% in AAP, the term "gifted" has lost all meaning.

There are NOT 25-50% of fcps kids in AAP centers/level IV.

You need to try to brush up on facts.

No, you need to brush up on your facts. Of the three schools closest to my house: One has 35%, one has 33% and the other has 25%. There are schools with up to 50% kids in AAP. That is a fact.

This is absolutely true.

My child had to attend a center school with 46% AAP kids. They might as well simply make AAP the regular curriculum and give the kids who struggle (there would only be a few) extra help. Far more efficient and equitable. This is a PUBLIC school system, after all.

The 46% came from several different feeder schools.

46% of the zoned kids were not AAP. The AAP magnet just was that portion of the school.

Very different things.

You've missed the point entirely. It doesn't matter where those kids came from; the fact is, they make up 46% of this school now. So AAP kids make up almost a majority of the student body. They are supposed to be the exception, not the rule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

Top 2% of FCPS is not top 2% nationally. It's why the FCPS CogAT is not nationally normed. For perspective-- about 2% of each FCPS class is admitted to TJ.

Who cares nationally? Locally, it's causing a huge disruption and it's time to revisit the goal of AAP and also the approach. Something got lost along the way.

What has happened locally is that fcps AAP program and TJ have attracted a lot of families with high performing kids away from districts like Arlington & MC, which brings in more NMSFs, higher SATs, more prestige, etc, which attracts more educated, high achieving families which raises property valies which raises tax revenue for fcps.

+1. This. It's exactly doesn't Karen Garza has zero interest in getting rid of AAP. And why Fairfax County has a tech corridor.

It's utter hubris to declare that Fairfax County's tech corridor exists because of AAP. It would exist regardless. Plenty of highly-educated, professional parents live in Fairfax County and don't have kids in AAP.

+1

Also, where do you think the *successful* TJ grads end up living? That's right, Silicon Valley folks! They ain't hangin' around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

Top 2% of FCPS is not top 2% nationally. It's why the FCPS CogAT is not nationally normed. For perspective-- about 2% of each FCPS class is admitted to TJ.

Who cares nationally? Locally, it's causing a huge disruption and it's time to revisit the goal of AAP and also the approach. Something got lost along the way.

What has happened locally is that fcps AAP program and TJ have attracted a lot of families with high performing kids away from districts like Arlington & MC, which brings in more NMSFs, higher SATs, more prestige, etc, which attracts more educated, high achieving families which raises property valies which raises tax revenue for fcps.

+1. This. It's exactly doesn't Karen Garza has zero interest in getting rid of AAP. And why Fairfax County has a tech corridor.

It's utter hubris to declare that Fairfax County's tech corridor exists because of AAP. It would exist regardless. Plenty of highly-educated, professional parents live in Fairfax County and don't have kids in AAP.

As a twenty something professional, before I had kids (and before I discovered DCUM), I knew about Fairfax and their gifted program. It's a draw. One of many, sure, but definitely one.

Are your kids in AAP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

Top 2% of FCPS is not top 2% nationally. It's why the FCPS CogAT is not nationally normed. For perspective-- about 2% of each FCPS class is admitted to TJ.

Who cares nationally? Locally, it's causing a huge disruption and it's time to revisit the goal of AAP and also the approach. Something got lost along the way.

What has happened locally is that fcps AAP program and TJ have attracted a lot of families with high performing kids away from districts like Arlington & MC, which brings in more NMSFs, higher SATs, more prestige, etc, which attracts more educated, high achieving families which raises property valies which raises tax revenue for fcps.

+1. This. It's exactly doesn't Karen Garza has zero interest in getting rid of AAP. And why Fairfax County has a tech corridor.

It's utter hubris to declare that Fairfax County's tech corridor exists because of AAP. It would exist regardless. Plenty of highly-educated, professional parents live in Fairfax County and don't have kids in AAP.

+1

Also, where do you think the *successful* TJ grads end up living? That's right, Silicon Valley folks! They ain't hangin' around here.

TJ is a direct pipeline to Silicon Valley.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

Top 2% of FCPS is not top 2% nationally. It's why the FCPS CogAT is not nationally normed. For perspective-- about 2% of each FCPS class is admitted to TJ.

Who cares nationally? Locally, it's causing a huge disruption and it's time to revisit the goal of AAP and also the approach. Something got lost along the way.

What has happened locally is that fcps AAP program and TJ have attracted a lot of families with high performing kids away from districts like Arlington & MC, which brings in more NMSFs, higher SATs, more prestige, etc, which attracts more educated, high achieving families which raises property valies which raises tax revenue for fcps.

+1. This. It's exactly doesn't Karen Garza has zero interest in getting rid of AAP. And why Fairfax County has a tech corridor.

It's utter hubris to declare that Fairfax County's tech corridor exists because of AAP. It would exist regardless. Plenty of highly-educated, professional parents live in Fairfax County and don't have kids in AAP.

As a twenty something professional, before I had kids (and before I discovered DCUM), I knew about Fairfax and their gifted program. It's a draw. One of many, sure, but definitely one.

I've lived in Fairfax for over 20 years and DCUM is the only place where I've ever seen such concentrated antipathy against the AAP programs. Since it's an anonymous forum, it's not clear at all how many posters there actually are who dislike AAP so much or whether they even live in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you have 25 - 50% in AAP, the term "gifted" has lost all meaning.

There are NOT 25-50% of fcps kids in AAP centers/level IV.

You need to try to brush up on facts.

No, you need to brush up on your facts. Of the three schools closest to my house: One has 35%, one has 33% and the other has 25%. There are schools with up to 50% kids in AAP. That is a fact.

If you you know that the three schools closest to your home have these specific numbers, several things are true: (1) you live in a very specific area in the Western part of the county that's a TJ feeder zone, (2) you have way too much time on your hands, (3) which you spend on some weird obsession you have with a program that your child doesn't even attend, and (4) you would be a lot happier if you just moved somewhere like Lake Braddock. Or heck-- try a Stuart zoned school. Your kid will look like a rocket scientist by virtue of the fact they speak English. If your kids can't keep up, you should definately teach them that the solution is just to surround themselves with lower performing people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you have 25 - 50% in AAP, the term "gifted" has lost all meaning.

There are NOT 25-50% of fcps kids in AAP centers/level IV.

You need to try to brush up on facts.

No, you need to brush up on your facts. Of the three schools closest to my house: One has 35%, one has 33% and the other has 25%. There are schools with up to 50% kids in AAP. That is a fact.

If you you know that the three schools closest to your home have these specific numbers, several things are true: (1) you live in a very specific area in the Western part of the county that's a TJ feeder zone, (2) you have way too much time on your hands, (3) which you spend on some weird obsession you have with a program that your child doesn't even attend, and (4) you would be a lot happier if you just moved somewhere like Lake Braddock. Or heck-- try a Stuart zoned school. Your kid will look like a rocket scientist by virtue of the fact they speak English. If your kids can't keep up, you should definately teach them that the solution is just to surround themselves with lower performing people.

lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you have 25 - 50% in AAP, the term "gifted" has lost all meaning.

There are NOT 25-50% of fcps kids in AAP centers/level IV.

You need to try to brush up on facts.

No, you need to brush up on your facts. Of the three schools closest to my house: One has 35%, one has 33% and the other has 25%. There are schools with up to 50% kids in AAP. That is a fact.

If you you know that the three schools closest to your home have these specific numbers, several things are true: (1) you live in a very specific area in the Western part of the county that's a TJ feeder zone, (2) you have way too much time on your hands, (3) which you spend on some weird obsession you have with a program that your child doesn't even attend, and (4) you would be a lot happier if you just moved somewhere like Lake Braddock. Or heck-- try a Stuart zoned school. Your kid will look like a rocket scientist by virtue of the fact they speak English. If your kids can't keep up, you should definately teach them that the solution is just to surround themselves with lower performing people.

^^ beyond any issues related to the children, here is another reason why people dislike AAP: the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a shame it's not just the top 2%. The current % is so disruptive to the whole system.

Top 2% of FCPS is not top 2% nationally. It's why the FCPS CogAT is not nationally normed. For perspective-- about 2% of each FCPS class is admitted to TJ.

Who cares nationally? Locally, it's causing a huge disruption and it's time to revisit the goal of AAP and also the approach. Something got lost along the way.

What has happened locally is that fcps AAP program and TJ have attracted a lot of families with high performing kids away from districts like Arlington & MC, which brings in more NMSFs, higher SATs, more prestige, etc, which attracts more educated, high achieving families which raises property valies which raises tax revenue for fcps.

+1. This. It's exactly doesn't Karen Garza has zero interest in getting rid of AAP. And why Fairfax County has a tech corridor.

It's utter hubris to declare that Fairfax County's tech corridor exists because of AAP. It would exist regardless. Plenty of highly-educated, professional parents live in Fairfax County and don't have kids in AAP.

As a twenty something professional, before I had kids (and before I discovered DCUM), I knew about Fairfax and their gifted program. It's a draw. One of many, sure, but definitely one.

I've lived in Fairfax for over 20 years and DCUM is the only place where I've ever seen such concentrated antipathy against the AAP programs. Since it's an anonymous forum, it's not clear at all how many posters there actually are who dislike AAP so much or whether they even live in Fairfax.

oh boo f*cking hoo. What about the implicit antipathy toward the Gen Ed kids?