Reply to Why can't I transfer my Gen Ed child out of the center?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Okay, I'm from Baltimore where we can only dream of these problems -- I have no dog in this fight but I really want to know.

What exactly is the problem with having these centers housed with Gen Ed programs? Are the AAP kids mean to the GE kids? Is it just a discipline problem that should be solved?

I can understand the point of wanting a certain critical mass of gifted students together... and I really can't understand how this harms other students.

#FunctionalSchoolSystemProblems[/quote]

The problem is this:  in a center school, AAP-identified kids are bussed from several feeder schools, creating a very large AAP population which often dwarfs the General Ed. population.  Increasingly, as the size of AAP continues to grow, it gives a (false) impression to the GE kids that they are somehow "less than" since most of their peers (at the center school) are in the advanced program.  For instance, at one center, there are four AAP classes vs. 2 GE classes in the 4th grade alone.  Kids ask their parents why they aren't "smart enough" to be in those classes, when the reality is most of them are equally smart and certainly very bright.  It makes kids believe that being in the regular (for lack of a better word) class is somehow not good enough.  Now, in past years, when the program was only for the actually gifted (GT), this wasn't a problem as the group of GT students was naturally far smaller and everyone understood those kids were receiving a type of special education that they couldn't get in a regular classroom, in addition to having the critical mass you mentioned.  Nowadays, however... well it seems everyone believes their child is gifted and in need of a special program, not to mention a special school.  And so FCPS has accomodated those families by bending over backwards to make sure those identified as AAP are able to choose whether they want to stay at their base school, or be bussed to the center school.  And GE kids are not given any choice at all; that is, to remain at the center or be bussed to a different, non-center school.  So FCPS is handling this situation in a very lopsided fashion, though AAP parents continue to insist all is fair because their kids, of course, are the ones who benefit.  As you will see from the self-righteous comments that are sure to follow.[/quote]

So...let's assess this honestly, shall we:

1.  There are virtually no AAP centers where the total number of AAP students is greater than the GenEd population, because AAP in elementary school is grades 3-6.   There are some schools where the number of AAP classes in grades 3-6 is higher than the number of GenEd classes.   FCPS has opened additional AAP centers and expanded the availability of LLIV services at non-center schools, so that should occur less frequently in the future.

2.  There is no basis to believe that GenEd kids do not receive their fair share of resources at schools with AAP students.

3.  The premise of your post is that a GenEd child will internalize his or her inferiority because he is not in an AAP class, and that it will scar him or her for life, even though he or she may be "equally smart" and "bright."  If you have evidence that this is what happens, share it here.  Otherwise, you are just giving voice to your own insecurity and anxiety, not your child's.   There is no reason why you cannot explain to a child how AAP works:  kids took some specific tests; kids who did better on those particular tests ended up in certain classrooms; you are also very bright and doing great; and life is about much more than how you did on a few tests and which classroom you're in this year or next.

4.  FCPS has repeatedly examined its model for delivering advanced academic services, and outside consultants have confirmed that it's pretty much state-of-the-art, and much better than what's available elsewhere.  If it distresses you so very much, there are other systems that you might find more to your liking. [/quote]

First of all, of course we are talking about the grade 3-6 student population, as those are obviously the only ones affected by AAP.  As I said, there are centers in which the AAP population dwarfs the GE population - meaning those in 3rd-6th grade. 
 
You asked for examples of how a Gen Ed child might "internalize his or her inferiority," and here are some, though I'm sure other Gen Ed parents could add their own.  Three AAP kids told a group of GE kids at recess (my child among them) that they could be in AAP if only they would "grow a bigger brain and study harder".  This occurred last year and yet my child still mentions it.  I'm wondering when that ugly remark will fade from my child's memory.  Whenever it's brought up (by my child), I downplay it and say how ignorant those children were and that neither of those things have anything to do with being in AAP.  And yes, I am fully able to explain to my child "how AAP works"; however, my child isn't stupid and can glean very easily from simply looking outside the classroom door that most of the other classrooms at school (once again, 3rd-6th) are AAP kids.  The takeaway for the Gen Ed child is that in this world (the lopsided world of a center school), most people are "above average".

And finally, if by "outside consultants" you are referring to the team of scholars from George Mason, they are hardly unbiased, given that so many FCPS students go to George Mason for testing in the hopes of being admitted to AAP.  No conflict of interest there.    :shock:  Interestingly, FCPS has not funded a study regarding the best practices for administering Gen Ed education.  Perhaps some money and attention should be spent there.  As I pay taxes here in FCPS, I expect my child's education to be given as much priority as the education of an AAP child.

Your condescending and dismissive attitude only emphasizes how detached from reality you actually are.  [/quote]

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