Reply to APS Gifted Referral Form

Forum Index » VA Public Schools other than FCPS

Reply to "APS Gifted Referral Form"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It seems like a few recent posters are very satisfied with their schools, and that is great. We see this school as incredibly weak. We cannot see how kids are building any foundational skills for middle and high school. I have older kids and they’re out of district schools prepared them well, but I am looking at DC wondering how this will work.

I’m glad the PPs are so confident though. What schools are you at?[/quote]
I didn't say I was highly satisfied.  I just think you're ridiculous for claiming that your student has learned nothing in 4th grade.  You can think it should be more challenging and still accept that your student is learning new material.

What exactly do you think they should be teaching in 4th grade that isn't being taught?[/quote]

Well, to start,’if they demonstrate they know the 4th grade standards…not those again. Move forward, accelerate, go to the 5th or 6th grade standards. [/quote]

A fourth grade teacher is expected to teach 4th grade standards, however they are also expected to differentiate for advanced learners. Differentiation does NOT always mean move faster to the next grade level. It means they can modify what kids are creating, or what they are doing with the content. If you have a 4th grader who is ready for middle school material, can you really expect an elementary teacher to teach content they aren’t even certified in?[/quote]
The issue is with pacing. APS does move kids faster to get to 7th grade Algebra I; they keep them at grade level content thought 5th grade before ramping up sharply in 6th where they compact content aggressively just as the material gets tougher. In contrast, FCPS ramps up more gradually, beginning in elementary school and accelerating through less difficult material. FCPS's more gradual path for acceleration positions kids better to succeed in Algebra 1 than APS's path. APS waits until 6th grade to accelerate for equity reasons -- some kids develop their math skills later and a delayed jumping off point accommodates them. The downside is that all students then face a tougher time once acceleration does begin. That is why some argue it would be better for APS to move faster in 4th grade and not just keep kids treading water with grade level content.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics