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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I thought that FCPS was trying to increase representation of [b]underrepresented races[/b] in AAP.[/quote][/quote]

It's actually underrepresented [b]populations[/b], and as another poster noted, this is a goal of (but not limited to) Young Scholars.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/ys.shtml

[quote]Young Scholars is a K-8 initiative that is designed to increase the proportion of historically underrepresented students in gifted programs.[/quote]

There is also an effort to reach out to twice-exceptional learners, who are also historically underrepresented in gifted programs.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/column/columntwicelearners.shtml

[quote]Twice-exceptional learners are students who have the ability to think, reason, and problem-solve at very high levels but also have special education needs.  These children are best served by teachers who recognize and build on their exceptional strengths while at the same time are flexible in areas where the students require accommodations and support.  For example, teachers may modify assignments, offer flexible timelines, provide alternative learning experiences, and employ other strategies that are often used with students who have special needs. These adaptations provide the twice exceptional learner important access to the many advanced learning opportunities that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides.[/quote][/quote]

From FCPS website:

"A growing concern with the continual under representation of Black, Hispanic, and English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students in gifted programs impelled the Fairfax County Public Schools Gifted and Talented Central Office staff to take a more comprehensive approach to this issue during the 1999-2000 school year."

Link:
http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/column/columnyoungscholars.shtml

The same webpage states, "Young scholars are held to the same high standards and performance expectations as other gifted students."

So there is no OFFICIAL WRITTEN statement that I recall seeing that claims that test score standards are lower for students from the groups that FCPS would like to see represented more in AAP. Apologies if I offended anyone or made any unfounded assumptions based on generalizations about "affirmative action" programs (which incidentally may have helped with my own college admissions and those of my family members).

I do notice that the NNAT (which helps to draw in non-native English speakers) SEEMS to have an effectively lower threshold than the FxAT, the way the pool benchmarks are set this year. NNAT threshold is 132, same as last year, but FxAT benchmark of 95% draws in only 5% of FCPS students, versus last year about 10% being targeted through the CogAT benchmark of 98% nationally (roughly equivalent to 10% in FCPS). So in that regard the non-native English speakers' chance to be in-pool seems to have been maintained even if standards have been tightened overall. Sorry, I do not have time to hunt through all the many threads from 2011 and 2012 that contribute to my believing this, so disregard or flame the idea if you wish!

Signed,

20:21 (and 9:42)[/quote]

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