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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If prepping is so bad, then wouldn't we see a lot of kids who prepped (therefore faking their way into the program) struggling to keep up or just going back to GE?

That's the problem, isn't it?  The purists (non-preppers) want to keep AAP "pure" with only non-prepping, naturally intuitive/intelligent kids.  The preppers, say:  look at the proof! -- my kid prepped and it may have given him a few points extra but s/he IS able to handle the curriculum, so prepping was, in fact, good insurance.

I understand both sides, but it seems to me that the "proof is in the puddin'" side makes the most sense.  Prep or not -- if the kid can keep up, then he belongs there. [b] The issue we should be concerned with is all the other borderline or non-preppers who didn't get in but really should be given the same opportunity.  That's the tragedy to me -- the sharp cliff b/t fulltime AAP and very little (at the GE schools).[/b]  I'm glad that they all have Adv. Math now, but that's not enough.  [/quote]

This is my biggest concern as well.  Oldest was AAP by a mile. My younger two didn't qualify for the pool, though one was close.  Both had high GBRS's to the point where teachers suggested my youngest retake CogAT.  He did and did about the same.  I didn't push because I knew they'd both do just fine at our local school and I really do believe that kids can learn from all kids, even those who don't do as well academically.  I think it's healthier and doesn't create false divisions or convince some kids that they're smarter, laying the groundwork for them to give up more easily when things get harder -- which they do for even the braniest eventually.

That said, were my kids young now, I might take a different stance,  since they've broadened AAP to the point, where if you are bright and in GE, you get a substandard experience.  I started to see it when my kids went to middle school and the ones not in AAP didn't have access to teaching and material they would have been able to handle (more reading in English, for example).  With one now in high school and doing just as well, if not better than many of his AAP peers in honors courses, I really question what the point was of dividing these kids up and busing many to separate schools starting in 3rd grade.  Yes, some highly intelligent kids don't apply themselves, but many of these AAP kids aren't any brighter than mine.  Remind me again why their needs were so special that they had to go to a separate school?  Or did we have to disrupt local schools and neighborhood communities simply so some parents could have an center school sticker on their car bumper?

I think the current AAP program either needs to be whittled back to those who have a genuine need that can't be met at their base school, or the curriculum should be expanded so that all who might benefit are included.  My kids are smart and confident.  They'll do fine.  But the system has gotten worse since they were young and I really do worry for future kids and schools in FCPS if current inequities persist.  
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