Reply to Should AAP demographics represent FCPS as a whole

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]New Parent to FCPS and AAP.  My DS went into AAP after spending the first 6 years (K-5) at a Dual Language Private School.  We don’t consider our DS gifted…just a hard worker…works until he overcomes the challenge.  The private school had most of the kids working at least 1 grade level above maybe 2 in some areas as part of the normal curriculum; it was not a gifted program but the teachers held the kids to high standards and the kids learned to meet those standards.  Because high standards were part of the environment; the kids (and the parents) learned to adjust.  Our DS first year in AAP was a review for most of the subjects.  Was he gifted because he knew more than the other “gifted kids” who had been in the program since 3rd grade? No, he was just taught some the material before they were.  Our DS speaks fluent French and is able to read, write and study each subject in French.  Is he gifted? No, he was taught in two languages.  Nothing more. [b]The FCPS AAP is not a “gifted program” it is an advanced curriculum program where the material is about 1 year ahead; and the one year ahead is a normal curriculum that their peers will learn the following year.  Nothing more.  I think most kids would be able to do well in AAP if afforded the opportunity to learn advanced material early on…say starting in 1st grade.   AAP is a good public school advanced academic school program but in no way is it a “Gifted Program.” [/b] I would guess that if you took a random 1st grade class made up of an appropriate representation of FCPS demographics (of average kids) and taught them advanced material…they would do just fine. Our DS is African American and I don’t really see what the big deal is with AAP.  I see more parents on this board trying to bolster the prestige of the AAP program and how special their DC are by putting their kids test scores out here for public consumption.  What I don’t see as much on this board is those very parents coming back to this board after their child doesn’t get into TJ or if they have to pull their kid out of AAP for whatever reason and talk about that.  If this AAP board is going to be useful I would think that parents would be more inclined to post information that is going to help other parents assist their kids in being successful not only in the AAP program but in school and life.  The less than diverse demographics in AAP is more opportunity and access than it is about how intelligent your child is.  [b]Any hardworking child (regardless of demographics) can be successful in anything…including the FCPS AAP program.  [/b][/quote]

I think this is the most accurate, well-written post I've ever read here on the AAP forum.  Bravo to you.[/quote]

I agree with all of it except for the last sentence.

Not anyone can be successful at everything simply by virtue of "working hard."  Really? Anyone who doesn't make the Olympics just didn't work hard enough?  Anyone who doesn't become a best selling author just didn't work hard enough?

This ridiculous canard that all kids can be gifted if they just work hard enough, have the right parents, blah blah blah is why our educational system is in trouble.  Everyone has to be treated like their outcomes can be equal.  Equal opportunities do not guarantee equal outcomes.[/quote]

PP I guess that depends on your definition of success?  If your definition of success is driven by a predetermined outcome (i.e., Making it to the Olympics or becoming a best-selling Author) which very few people in this world actually achieve, you may have a point. However, my definition of success for a child in AAP is a little less stringent; I believe that if a child is challenged they will work hard (some kids may need to work harder than others) to overcome that challenge.  As parents we all know that life is a series of challenges that is sometimes interrupted by setbacks and momentary successes that are quickly replaced with a series of new challenges.  The goal of education is to engaged and inspire kids to become more than they thought they could have been (often it takes loving and supportive parents and dedicated teachers), no matter how small or big the perceived outcome may be.  I believe a child with average intelligence can learn math or any other subject one grade level above based on the Virginia Standards of Learning.  You say that “This ridiculous canard that all kids can be gifted if they just work hard enough, have the right parents, blah blah blah is why our educational system is in trouble.”  Respectfully, I think you are confused; giftedness is something that happens “to” a child and hard work is “what” the child does.  Neither of those two things are going to guarantee success; however, I would suggest that since statistically there are very few “gifted” people in this world…most people who are considered successful had to work hard to get to where they are.  Please re-read the last sentence again’ “Any hardworking child (regardless of demographics) can be successful in anything…including the FCPS AAP program.”  The original post was “should AAP demographics represent FCPS as a whole” and what I am saying is that it can better represent the FCPS demographics if FCPS provided a more challenging curriculum at an earlier age. [b]If we instill the work ethic in our kids at an early age and provide a challenging curriculum from the start…then GE would become AAP and AAP would become truly be a gifted and talented program for those few special kids who really need special GT services.  Special services like for the 10 year old that should be taking a full complement of high school classes; I do not think the 6th or 7th grader that is taking Algebra 1 honors or Geometry by the rest of the worlds standards would be considered gifted.  PP it’s low standards, low parent involvement, unmotivated teachers, blah blah blah that is what makes a terrible education system…not “hardworking” children[/b].[/quote]

AMEN.[/quote]

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