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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I look at what my bright kid gets in school through AAP and it is 10x what i ever got through GT in elementary. People complain, but I'm happy.

OP, if you opt out of the program, what are you going to have your child do instead? It makes sense to skip it if there are better options, but if it's just going to be more regular classes your kid is head and shoulders above/bored in, why not do it? (even if there are no measurable outcomes?) My GT program in elementary was one afternoon a week, no grades but we did cool stuff--I clearly remember studying aerodynamics of flight and working with local pilots to study their planes.  It was definitely a big deal part of 6th grade for me.[/quote]

I think that people forget that this is public education. They want a program that reads more like a private school for gifted kids with advanced classes or individualized classes without having to pay tuition.

This is public school, the schools have to balance the needs of the whole and federal and state mandates. The need to provide support to kids with IEPs is mandated by law. The need to have all students at grade level is mandated. That is where the money and energy are going to go. The effort for kids who are ahead or are GT is going to be minimal because those kids meet the state and federal mandates. FCPS's AAP is above what is required by state law even if many people would like to see it even more advanced. [/quote]

What is supposed to be focused and limited on needs of truly advanced has been lowered in standards to include broader segments in the name of diversity. [/quote]

I'd actually say the opposite.  The largest contingent of people benefitting from the expansion are the wealthy families (mostly white).  While there is a push to expand further in name of diversity (school-by-school pools, noting of ESL and minority status), that pales in comparison of the wealthy individuals who have hacked the system through enrichment and test prep to make their child appear gifted, but in reality, has just had more opportunities. [/quote]
When schools lower standards for DEI, outside enrichment steps in to maintain higher standards. Whether provided by schools or sought externally, merit-driven students will pursue knowledge of higher standards. Similar to how student athletes prep outside of school to enhance their skills for public school team placement.

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PP here.  I agree except that I believe its more merit driven parents and not students and I stand by my comment.  Children whose parents can afford it and dedicate time to enrichment are given an upper hand to get into AAP because of their opportunities, which at this age has less to do with their capacity and giftedness.  As someone who's capitalized on this to get into AAP knowing my child is just likely above average and not gifted, our family is an example.  I know of several others.
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Absolutely true. Read some of Malcolm Gladwell’s finding about trying to identify talented and gifted at a young age and then the Matthew effect.[/quote]

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