Anonymous wrote:22:08 here. I have to disagreed again - every child in the school does not get a GBRS. The full name of that form is the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale. Why would every child be assessed using this form when it is specifically designed to identify gifted children?

Because it is a requirement by the state and is part of the FCPS Local Plan for the Gifted. "Gifted" services include Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 and all students receive (at a minimum) Level 1 services.

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/localplan/FinalLocalPlan.pdf

"In order to increase access and expand the opportunity to participate in advanced academic
classes to a broad range of advanced learners, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers
a continuum of advanced academic services available to all students beginning in
kindergarten and continuing through twelfth grade. This K- 12 continuum is offered across
four levels of increasing challenge and is designed to emphasize the importance of
matching services to student needs with flexible entry points."



"Beginning in kindergarten, the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) places student
data into a database (Attachment E). This database includes ability test scores (if available),
achievement test scores (if available), and a score on the gifted behaviors rating scale. The
database is used by a local screening committee to decide which students need school-based
services (Levels II or III) and in which academic area(s)."

We were given a copy of the GBRS form in Kinderg and First and now Second. And the idea is that every child has one done by their teacher each year and it is part of their permanent school file.

22:08 here. I have to disagreed again - every child in the school does not get a GBRS. The full name of that form is the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale. Why would every child be assessed using this form when it is specifically designed to identify gifted children? There were kids in our 2nd grade screening pool last year who received 4's and 6's on this form. What number do you think the 'average' student would receive? Doesn't make sense. That's just not the right form for every student. My DC received level II services in the lower grades b/c the teacher decided DC needed them. And it may be different by school, but at our school only kids who were in the pool but weren't accepted at the center were eligible for level III services. The decisions for level II and level III are all made by the individual school, not the same screening committee like for level iV. So i think each school and AARt has alot of control as to who gets those services and how they pick them. At least that's my experience.

Anonymous wrote:Every child in the school does not get a GBRS. Only those children who are in the 2nd grade pool AND those children who are not in the pool but their parents fill out a referral form - get a GBRS. At our school it was a committee and the teachers were overruled by the AART if they couldn't provide concrete examples of why a child deserved a score.

Would you mind saying what school this is?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every child in the school does not get a GBRS. Only those children who are in the 2nd grade pool AND those children who are not in the pool but their parents fill out a referral form - get a GBRS. At our school it was a committee and the teachers were overruled by the AART if they couldn't provide concrete examples of why a child deserved a score.

I cannot speak to what is happening at your school, but at our FCPS EVERY child in EVERY grade has a GBRS done each year. That is partly how they determine who should get level 2 and level 3 services. Perhaps you should double check the policy at your school.

I agree. If a parent thinks that not every student is having such an assessment done, I suggest contacting the AART at the school. If a school is not doing a GBRS for every student in every grade, they are not following the FCPS Plan for the Gifted.

If you rad the AAP information on the FCPS website, it says that the GBRS is determined by a committee. I've discussed this with FCPS AAP people. They said the committee structure varies by school. It does not have to include the teacher -- which our school's committee does not. It is possible that no one on the committee will know your child (as happened with my DC). In our school the AART said she discusses the children with all of their teachers (all grades and subjects) and asks for specific examples to write on the GBRS form.

I thought it was incredibly unfair, but no I'm not so sure. This way, if one teacher doesn't like your child, that teacher can't tank them if others say the child is gifted. Also, by second grade, they change teachers on some subjects (at least at our school) and that takes into account that the child might really shine in one particular area.

Anonymous wrote:Every child in the school does not get a GBRS. Only those children who are in the 2nd grade pool AND those children who are not in the pool but their parents fill out a referral form - get a GBRS. At our school it was a committee and the teachers were overruled by the AART if they couldn't provide concrete examples of why a child deserved a score.

I cannot speak to what is happening at your school, but at our FCPS EVERY child in EVERY grade has a GBRS done each year. That is partly how they determine who should get level 2 and level 3 services. Perhaps you should double check the policy at your school.

Every child in the school does not get a GBRS. Only those children who are in the 2nd grade pool AND those children who are not in the pool but their parents fill out a referral form - get a GBRS. At our school it was a committee and the teachers were overruled by the AART if they couldn't provide concrete examples of why a child deserved a score.

Anonymous wrote:It would be more reasonable if the class teachers give the GBRS. How would the principal or AART know the kids well enough?! Especially those kids who are smart but quiet and less express themselves in the class will definitely won't be notice by AART.

If the teachers are experienced and well trained about the AAP program in Farifax County.

It would be more reasonable if the class teachers give the GBRS. How would the principal or AART know the kids well enough?! Especially those kids who are smart but quiet and less express themselves in the class will definitely won't be notice by AART.

I asked this at the AAP info meeting and the AART told us that the classroom teacher fills out the GBRS. I would imagine that is the norm b/c every child has to have a GBRS -- not just second graders -- every child in the whole school. Who is going to know the child best?== the teacher.

Anonymous wrote:Is the class teacher, principal or AA teacher in school give the score of GBRS to kids?

Different school by school. That's a part of the reason why GBRS iss subjective and inconsistent.

Is the class teacher, principal or AA teacher in school give the score of GBRS to kids?