Reply to Does the proposed AAP Changes mean AAP in every MS?

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Reply to "Does the proposed AAP Changes mean AAP in every MS?"

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[quote=Anonymous]Does anyone have a clear, concise description of the problem FCPS are trying to solve by eliminating center-based AAP at the middle schools?  I understand that there are problems with some of the Centers at the elementary schools, and clearly FCPS and the school board needs to work with the parents of those schools to develop a well-thoughout out solution.  However, how did middle-school realignment get included in this discussion?  I am at a center-based program with approximately 400 students.  I have been told that while the school is slightly above capacity, the center is not above capacity.  Are we eliminating center-based MS AA programs because some middle schools are overcrowded and FCPS doesn't want to initiate any boundary changes?

I have tried repeatedly to obtain details about how the recommendations to develop a AA program at each middle school were developed.  What factors were considered.  How many students will be impacted?  What alternatives were considered and rejected (and why).  What is the potential cost of implementing a new program at every middle school.  I can't find anything on the FCPS website, and I have written to FCPS and have been told to go to the public meetings.  If FCPS believes that the model they have been following for many years been a failure, surely there must be some emperical or statistical data that was considered in developing the recommendations.  (And, if the current system is not working, should we be relying on the same group of people to develop a new model).

In my humble opinion, and only for the realignment of middle schools students, we must be talking about over a thousand students being affected.  Not to mention that some schools will be losing hundreds of students and some schools will be gaining  100+  students.  Changes of this magnitude will have a huge impact on the character and make-up of the school, not to mention facilities, funding, transportation and student morale.  Surely a school system the size of Fairfax County cannot hope to successfully implement a program like this IN 6 MONTHS???

One parent told me that the purpose of MS realignment is so that students can "stay together" from elementary through high school, but i don't understand why this would be a consideration in eliminating a very successful program.  And, of course, if my child was not comfortable moving with the rest of her class into a center-based MS, I could choose to send her to the local MS and place her in honors or another program.  Should this not be the parent's decision?

I urge everyone who reads this blog to write to the school board, go to meetings, speak with your neighbors and be vocal if you feel passionately about this issue.  The school board is an elected body, and we have the right to demand full disclosure and accountability on an issue of this magnitude.  [/quote]

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