Reply to cutoff scores for Fairfax County GT centers for this year?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]we are in no way enamored of APP - he is in immersion and that is a good program. We are new to it all. In many ways it would be much easier if he were more normal. If he had not made the cut it would have been fine with us. He has a good heart and a good mind so we think he will be fine with or without APP.

I was surprised when [b]they told us we should basically embellish his score with our observations in applying for app.[/b] I mean I would have though 99 percentile was an automatic in. Apparently a lot of parents push really hard for their marginal kids to get in. Not sure why they would do that. I mean why would you put your normal kid in with sort of odd balls like my son - they are not normal. They are literally smarter than me, my Phd wife and virtually all the people I meet.

A lot of people say 'you must be so proud of him' - I am but not because he is smart. It would be like being proud of him because he is really tall. I dont get it. he has a good heart and is kind - im proud of that sure enough. The fact that he memorizes every single thing he sees, reads or does - thats just luck of the draw...

PS [b]teachers have little or nothing to do with this process as I understand it. The fact that people are trying, for their kids, to force them into this program is alien to me. [/b]Whom do they think they are helping pushing an unprepared student into an accelerated learning environment? Self esteem is far more important than APP.

PPS sorry to for the poor choice of the word 'marginal' - sounds like the cut off is absurdly high. I understand the frustration having a very smart kid and having to deal with some teachers and admin on that issue. There is nothing 'marginal' about any of our children. I apologize for the gaff.[/quote]

First, submitting additional information about your child is not "embellishing" the test scores.  The County has decided that there are multiple factors relevant to determining eligibility for the Center, and one of those is test scores.  Others are teacher assessments, demonstrated achievement in the form of awards or work samples, letters of recommendation from other adults who know the child, and other things.  You may or may not agree with it, but that is how the County has decided to evaluate children for placement in the program.

Second, teachers have a TON to do with this process.  I cannot emphasize enough how important the teacher recommendations and the GBRS are.  Just take a look at the thread regarding the decisions that were mailed out on Friday, and you will see how many children apparently got in on the strength of GBRS/teacher recs when they did not have strong test scores and were not in the automatic screening pool.  Teacher input is absolutely crucial in this process.  Parents are not "forcing" their children into the Center because it's not possible.  Parent input just doesn't carry that much weight; parents are obviously biased in writing glowing recommendations about their kids.  Teachers' input, on the other hand, is considered far more objective and carries substantial weight with the selection committee.

Donalan, you describe yourself as totally new to the process.  That's fine, but then why not characterize your opinions as exactly that - your opinions?  Please stop putting forth so much misinformation as it it were absolute fact.  This can be a confusing process, and I fear you are just adding to the confusion without having taken the time to do your homework.   [/quote]

I do not agree with you 100%. My kid had strong test scores (NNAT-146, COGAT 140), but GBRS is only 6 (I was told has to be 12-16 to be qualified), low ratings from the school. But his work samples are very strong- he had lots of solutions off 2008/2009 AMC8 test- the math contest for grade 8 student. I let the central office know that the school's GBRS is very baised, obviously the committee listened. He was acceptted to AAP center on 4/30.[/quote]

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