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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My kids are young but I feel like many of you are just whiny? I went to public school in New England. No differentiation or honors classes until 10th grade (8th grade for math). No pull outs or G&T specialists or AAP program m. Yes there were many days when I finished my class work early, but I just pulled out my chapter book and read. I wasn’t worried about maximizing my potential and my parents weren’t upset that I wasn’t doing algebra in 5th grade. I started algebra in 7th like the rest of the country. My girl friends were normal, into boy bands and clothes and things (as was I!). I didn’t have nerdy friends until HS academic decathlon. That was fine with me because now I could relate to everybody. Still got into every single one of HYPMS and did very well at the one I went to and now in my STEM career. What’s the big deal?[/quote]
PP, I think that there IS a significant difference between education a generation ago and education today.  First, I bet your New England public school had good old things like grades and homework.  APS policy for elementary is eliminating both, and is now even moving into middle school with "standard-based report cards".  Second, I'm guessing that your New England schools were much more homogeneous than those of NOVA.  Did you have a bunch of ESOL kids?  FARMS kids?  The schools in NOVA spend incredible amounts of resources supporting these kids (not saying they shouldn't).  APS was sued because of what was deemed to be inadequate educational opportunities for English learners.  The result of this lawsuit has been an incredible emphasis on equity, unfortunately to the detriment of many students who are average or better -- most kids in APS.[/quote]

Yes there were ESL and FARMs kids in my town, and more bussed in from the city. I am sure the ESL/FARMs rates were higher than many parts of Arlington! Plenty of kids were average to below average. We were all in the same classes until the bubble of Honors and AP began in 10th.

I just don’t get the obsession with needing specialized and accelerated instruction for kids at such an early age. IMO it’s more important for kids to learn how to deal with others who are not exactly like them and who may not have the same academic aptitude. Plenty of my “below average” HS classmates were good, valuable people and now have perfectly fine careers and lives. I am glad I wasn’t cocooned away from them before I even got to know them.[/quote]

What were your parents educational background and careers?[/quote]

One doctor, one scientist. I am an engineer. We all have graduate degrees. Why?[/quote]

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