Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello all. I'm sitting here writing my letter for the appeal and wondering how I can word it. My, by my estimates, is a year or two ahead of his 2nd grade Math class. He doesn't get straight '4's but I don't think this is a real indication of his abilities. Up until the middle of this academic year, I worked with him at home on his Math and he picked up 3rd and 4th grade concepts pretty easily. Lately though, when asking him Math questions, I've noticed he seems slower in his processing, and has forgotten things I've taught him. I honestly think this is because he's not being challenged in Math in his regular class. This is one main reason I think he belongs in AAP.

How would you word this on the letter? I don't want to insult the teacher or the school in anyway.

Thanks.

I'm wondering why you stopped working with him in the middle of this year.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Hello all. I'm sitting here writing my letter for the appeal and wondering how I can word it. My, by my estimates, is a year or two ahead of his 2nd grade Math class. He doesn't get straight '4's but I don't think this is a real indication of his abilities. Up until the middle of this academic year, I worked with him at home on his Math and he picked up 3rd and 4th grade concepts pretty easily. Lately though, when asking him Math questions, I've noticed he seems slower in his processing, and has forgotten things I've taught him. I honestly think this is because he's not being challenged in Math in his regular class. This is one main reason I think he belongs in AAP.

How would you word this on the letter? I don't want to insult the teacher or the school in anyway.

Thanks.

I'm wondering why you stopped working with him in the middle of this year.

You should get him tested on the Woodcock Johnson Achievement test to see if he really is 2 grades ahead. If he is, then that is something you can write in your letter as fact and not your estimation.

OP, could it be that your child really does not understand the 3rd and 4th grade concepts you "taught" him? This does not sound like an AAP child in any way shape or form!

Anonymous wrote:I would think twice about pushing him into the program, especially if he has a slower work pace in math.

Of all the parts of AAP, the math is the one area that is definitely accelerated. By the time they get to fifth and sixth grade, they are really whizzing through the concepts and an ability to pick up math quickly is not a luxury or a bonus but a really important skill to have.

Just my opinion.

+1. If your DS isn't getting 4s in math now (3s?), there is a chance of even lower grades in AAP math. Why do you think he isn't getting 4s in second grade math, which is extremely simple and so much easier than AAP third grade math?

Is your DS stronger in other areas like language arts or social science that are more his interest than math? Does he have higher test scores and grades in these areas? What did the teacher say in the GBRS? If language arts is the main area of strength, I would highlight that and not even mention math.

If you really want to put forward your DS as a math kid, you should give evidence of his being a year or two ahead. Does he have test scores like WISC or CogAT that showed exceptional ability in math? If not testing well on CogAT and not testing well on second grade math exams, there is no reason to expect better performance on AAP math tests, unfortunately. No magical transformation takes place, and it only gets harder to score well.

Pointing out that your child is slow in processing and forgets things he's been taught...especially while highlighting that you've been hothousing him at home, is definitely not a good strategy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"My kid is mediocre but I think he is really special and everyone will look down on me if my kid is not in AAP so could you please make an exception for him? The End."

+1

+1000
Sounds like so many in AAP.

I would think twice about pushing him into the program, especially if he has a slower work pace in math.

Of all the parts of AAP, the math is the one area that is definitely accelerated. By the time they get to fifth and sixth grade, they are really whizzing through the concepts and an ability to pick up math quickly is not a luxury or a bonus but a really important skill to have.

Just my opinion.

They want specifics as well and personality to show through. Not, my child is 1-2 years ahead in math.

The AART/teacher referrals are exclusively focussed on the positive -- i.e. what the child actually does, says or thinks. I would stick with that philosophy. Show what your child already does and let the committee assess whether AAP is the right fit. Explanations or problems just puts the focus on the negative -- and puts the committee in a "negative" mindset when voting.

Anonymous wrote:Hello all. I'm sitting here writing my letter for the appeal and wondering how I can word it. My, by my estimates, is a year or two ahead of his 2nd grade Math class. He doesn't get straight '4's but I don't think this is a real indication of his abilities. Up until the middle of this academic year, I worked with him at home on his Math and he picked up 3rd and 4th grade concepts pretty easily. Lately though, when asking him Math questions, I've noticed he seems slower in his processing, and has forgotten things I've taught him. I honestly think this is because he's not being challenged in Math in his regular class. This is one main reason I think he belongs in AAP.

How would you word this on the letter? I don't want to insult the teacher or the school in anyway.

Thanks.

Try to just stick to facts and scores. Bored in school really, really does not help, sorry.

Anonymous wrote:"My kid is mediocre but I think he is really special and everyone will look down on me if my kid is not in AAP so could you please make an exception for him? The End."

+1

"My kid is mediocre but I think he is really special and everyone will look down on me if my kid is not in AAP so could you please make an exception for him? The End."

Personally I would not. You should have specific facts/examples that indicate a need for AAP. Broad statements that a child is 1-2 years ahead in math and is not be challenged in the classroom are not what the committee is looking for. Plus, slower processing and forgetting are not usually signs that a child is not being challenged in the classroom.
Without knowing your child's GBRS, test scores, work samples, it would be difficult to say what you need to be saying in appeal.

Hello all. I'm sitting here writing my letter for the appeal and wondering how I can word it. My, by my estimates, is a year or two ahead of his 2nd grade Math class. He doesn't get straight '4's but I don't think this is a real indication of his abilities. Up until the middle of this academic year, I worked with him at home on his Math and he picked up 3rd and 4th grade concepts pretty easily. Lately though, when asking him Math questions, I've noticed he seems slower in his processing, and has forgotten things I've taught him. I honestly think this is because he's not being challenged in Math in his regular class. This is one main reason I think he belongs in AAP.

How would you word this on the letter? I don't want to insult the teacher or the school in anyway.

Thanks.