Reply to What percentage of AAP kids are truly genius level gifted

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]AAP is not about gifted.  Really it only leap frogs the students one year ahead in math.  It is reliant on parents supplementing to do so. They don’t teach or drill the basic math facts anymore so that is on you.  But it’s really nothing that great in AAP. They have to teach the Social Studies curriculum in all classes. And the same holds true with Science.  The math is really the only accelerated subject and even it’s not so terrific for all the frantic mess that we hear and see on DCUM. Not even all the AAP students make it into Algebra by 7th grade yet they were suppose to be so accelerated for 4 grades. Even some AAP students make it to Algebra by 7th grade and then get move back a grade.  So, the program isn’t great.  You are better off doing your own creative and fun supplemental work. You can create your own learning lab at home that’s leaps and bounds more creative and impactful than this program. [/quote]

So here's some history about gifted education and FCPS--My oldest child, who is now out of college, tested into in the FCPS GT program in 3rd grade, which became AAP when she was in 5th grade. The GT program was a lively and creative space that my kid was thriving in. Lots of project-based learning, lots of chances for students to explore interests, lots of differentiation. Obviously there's no way for me to know what aspects of that were system-wide vs. my kid's specific teachers, but I remember friends with kids at other GT centers reporting similar impressions at the time. The change from GT to AAP in terms of the classroom experience and curriculum was pretty huge and I don't think families were well-prepared for it.

What we heard from her teachers over those last two years of elementary school was that about half the students in the class, my kid included, found themselves struggling in an advanced math program that they probably would not have tested into. And many of the GT elements that had made up the curriculum were replaced by a focus on that accelerated math program. As a parent it was upsetting to see that change happen in real time to my child and I considered pulling her in 6th grade because of it, but ultimately left her in AAP for social reasons. In middle school we were able to have her take regular 7th grade math while staying with AAP in the other subjects, which was a much better fit for her.

I think it's a shame that FCPS has such a bias towards STEM and puts all its eggs in that basket. I'm a product of a gifted education in the 80s and I know that a lot of my longterm academic and professional success comes from some of those early learning experiences. Math is important and for kids who are strong in that area, it's good there is a track to meet their needs. But it shouldn't be the only track available for students to get more than the traditional classroom has to offer.[/quote]

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