DCUM Forum

Anonymous

04/10/2023 09:19 Subject: Re:AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current grade: 2
NNAT/CoGAT: 149/139
GBRS (if known): all four consistently
School or center: westgate
In/not in: IN

Following up, two things have helped. First was having a teacher who sees the best in kids. Second was having her listed as ESL and in Young Scholars.

As a data point, her brother got in four years ago with much lower scores but stellar GBRS from the same teacher.

The scores and GBRS are both good, so that's not a surprise.

Anonymous

04/10/2023 09:10 Subject: AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NNAT 119 Cogat 132
Mclean pyramid / Center school / High SIS
GBRS unknown
In

So my child can be an example that the committe is not
focusing only on the nnat / cogat scores anymore?

It is actually an example of the NEW "fools in schools" program promoted by Fairfax county haycock level 4 aap is NOW gen-ed quality

My "fool's" scores were even lower and she is completely thriving in AAP and easily keeping up with all the "geniuses" in her class. If you don't like AAP and think it's like gen-ed there are plenty of private school stress factories that will take your money.

True,nNo wonder your kid is thriving, with the whole AAP program diluted with the admission of low scoring average kids. With a gen-ed level AAP class, the kid sure is a rock star. To prevent such nonsense, Mensa and Davidson's gifted programs don't even admit such low scoring kids to their gifted programs.

I'm not buying it. My kid's in AAP. Didn't score high at all for whatever reason. I know there are probably some kids in her class that did score very high on the tests - it's a large center. The class is super competitive with each other, and she is constantly coming home saying she had the best or second-best score on tests. They are all taking the same test - I asked. How does it work out that my stupid kid is beating out your genius? Sure, maybe the curriculum is watered down (whatever), but they are all taking the same test. Is your genius missing answers on purpose to make my child feel better about herself? I doubt it. Perhaps-ish those IQ tests don't mean much in the grand scheme of things.

Speaking of not buying it...

I'm glad your DC is happy.

Anonymous

04/10/2023 08:56 Subject: Re:AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:Current grade: 2
NNAT/CoGAT: 149/139
GBRS (if known): all four consistently
School or center: westgate
In/not in: IN

Anonymous

04/10/2023 08:55 Subject: AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NNAT 119 Cogat 132
Mclean pyramid / Center school / High SIS
GBRS unknown
In

So my child can be an example that the committe is not
focusing only on the nnat / cogat scores anymore?

It is actually an example of the NEW "fools in schools" program promoted by Fairfax county haycock level 4 aap is NOW gen-ed quality

My "fool's" scores were even lower and she is completely thriving in AAP and easily keeping up with all the "geniuses" in her class. If you don't like AAP and think it's like gen-ed there are plenty of private school stress factories that will take your money.

True,nNo wonder your kid is thriving, with the whole AAP program diluted with the admission of low scoring average kids. With a gen-ed level AAP class, the kid sure is a rock star. To prevent such nonsense, Mensa and Davidson's gifted programs don't even admit such low scoring kids to their gifted programs.

I'm not buying it. My kid's in AAP. Didn't score high at all for whatever reason. I know there are probably some kids in her class that did score very high on the tests - it's a large center. The class is super competitive with each other, and she is constantly coming home saying she had the best or second-best score on tests. They are all taking the same test - I asked. How does it work out that my stupid kid is beating out your genius? Sure, maybe the curriculum is watered down (whatever), but they are all taking the same test. Is your genius missing answers on purpose to make my child feel better about herself? I doubt it. Perhaps-ish those IQ tests don't mean much in the grand scheme of things.

Anonymous

04/10/2023 08:54 Subject: Re:AAP Results 2023

Current grade: 2
NNAT/CoGAT: 149/139
GBRS (if known): all four consistently
School or center: westgate
In/not in: IN

Anonymous

04/09/2023 22:06 Subject: AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that AAP tries to wear too many hats, and as a result does none of them particularly well. Is it a gifted program serving gifted kids? Is it an accelerated program serving bright kids 1 year above grade level? Is it a program for well behaved, non disruptive kids who are motivated to learn? Is it a talent development program for kids who otherwise might not be given a chance? No one seems to know.

For the highly gifted kids, the problem is not that FCPS is letting a lot of above average, not especially advanced kids into AAP. The problem is that they're false advertising the program. The party line is that AAP is for kids who have needs that cannot be met in a regular classroom, and the teachers will differentiate upward to meet the needs of the kids who are far ahead of their peers. The reality is that the program is going to deliver a mildly accelerated curriculum, and the teachers will be too busy with their other duties to create extensions for one child. If a kid is multiple grade levels ahead and has an IQ above 140, that kid should attend private school or be homeschooled. FCPS does not have the bandwidth to meet the needs of children like that.

Great post... The VA requirement for gifted programs is only to cater to the truly/profoundly gifted kids, not to allow for average kids to masquerade around pretending they are "gifted". Like the TJ admissions, AAP level 4 has been watered down to make it a practical joke.

Anonymous

04/09/2023 21:17 Subject: AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NNAT 119 Cogat 132
Mclean pyramid / Center school / High SIS
GBRS unknown
In

So my child can be an example that the committe is not
focusing only on the nnat / cogat scores anymore?

It is actually an example of the NEW "fools in schools" program promoted by Fairfax county haycock level 4 aap is NOW gen-ed quality

My "fool's" scores were even lower and she is completely thriving in AAP and easily keeping up with all the "geniuses" in her class. If you don't like AAP and think it's like gen-ed there are plenty of private school stress factories that will take your money.

True,nNo wonder your kid is thriving, with the whole AAP program diluted with the admission of low scoring average kids. With a gen-ed level AAP class, the kid sure is a rock star. To prevent such nonsense, Mensa and Davidson's gifted programs don't even admit such low scoring kids to their gifted programs.

NP. FCPS should follow other gifted programs like Mensa and Davidson's to increase minimum scores to 145+ for all ability tests nnat/cogat and very high iready requirements and completely abolish principal placements. That would be a real sense AAP as per VA charter requiring gifted programs.

Anonymous

04/09/2023 21:08 Subject: AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NNAT 119 Cogat 132
Mclean pyramid / Center school / High SIS
GBRS unknown
In

So my child can be an example that the committe is not
focusing only on the nnat / cogat scores anymore?

It is actually an example of the NEW "fools in schools" program promoted by Fairfax county haycock level 4 aap is NOW gen-ed quality

My "fool's" scores were even lower and she is completely thriving in AAP and easily keeping up with all the "geniuses" in her class. If you don't like AAP and think it's like gen-ed there are plenty of private school stress factories that will take your money.

True,nNo wonder your kid is thriving, with the whole AAP program diluted with the admission of low scoring average kids. With a gen-ed level AAP class, the kid sure is a rock star. To prevent such nonsense, Mensa and Davidson's gifted programs don't even admit such low scoring kids to their gifted programs.

Anonymous

04/09/2023 18:03 Subject: AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that AAP tries to wear too many hats, and as a result does none of them particularly well. Is it a gifted program serving gifted kids? Is it an accelerated program serving bright kids 1 year above grade level? Is it a program for well behaved, non disruptive kids who are motivated to learn? Is it a talent development program for kids who otherwise might not be given a chance? No one seems to know.

For the highly gifted kids, the problem is not that FCPS is letting a lot of above average, not especially advanced kids into AAP. The problem is that they're false advertising the program. The party line is that AAP is for kids who have needs that cannot be met in a regular classroom, and the teachers will differentiate upward to meet the needs of the kids who are far ahead of their peers. The reality is that the program is going to deliver a mildly accelerated curriculum, and the teachers will be too busy with their other duties to create extensions for one child. If a kid is multiple grade levels ahead and has an IQ above 140, that kid should attend private school or be homeschooled. FCPS does not have the bandwidth to meet the needs of children like that.

I attended FCPS back when the AAP was called GT; back then it wasn't 20% of the kids who qualified, more like 5% but it was still just a culling out of the more academically advanced kids to a center school where the "band" of abilities the teacher had to teach was a bit narrower and the peer group was (mostly) better behaved and disciplined. LLIV seems like a good idea, but IRL only about 5 kids in my DC's class stuck around for it. The rest of the class are principal placed, and the curriculum is not the same as taught in the center, with 80% of the kids not qualifying for AAP. So disappointing for those families. Yet I wonder when FCPS will rip the bandaid off and abandon the center program entirely. That would make it harder for those of us in Title I schools to secure a good education for our kids, but maybe it would be okay for those in high SES neighborhoods which could maintain the cohesiveness of everyone going to the same ES. Seems like FCPS started something they are desperately trying to "break" now.

Anonymous

04/09/2023 16:56 Subject: Re:AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:I would like to see Advanced Math and Advanced LA, like they do with LII services (it is reading, math or both.) The Advanced Math track leads to parents who want kids with more challenging LA curriculum to push for LIV services even when their kid is not strong in math. If they had Advanced Math and Advanced LA they could have a Math and Science class and a LA and Social Studies class, move the kids into the appropriate groups and not even worry about LIV classes. Kids would be able to stay at their base schools and receive instruction in the areas that they need it.

My kid is more of a math kid, he finds Advanced Math easy. He is strong in LA but more higher reading group and not grade levels ahead in LA. He is in LIV, we deferred in favor of his LI program, so the Advanced Math break down has worked for him. I think he would have been fine at the Center with the LA component but I suspect the Advanced Math and regular LA is fine for him. We have a friend who deferred for her kid because the Advanced Math would have been too much but they really wanted the Advanced LA and Level III does not really make up that difference.

I'm 3rd and 4th grade, that might work but in 5th and 6th grade, they combine the core classes so that in LA, they read and write about the history subject, math is used for the science subject, etc.

Anonymous

04/09/2023 15:31 Subject: AAP Results 2023

^ one size

Anonymous

04/09/2023 15:31 Subject: AAP Results 2023

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that AAP tries to wear too many hats, and as a result does none of them particularly well. Is it a gifted program serving gifted kids? Is it an accelerated program serving bright kids 1 year above grade level? Is it a program for well behaved, non disruptive kids who are motivated to learn? Is it a talent development program for kids who otherwise might not be given a chance? No one seems to know.

For the highly gifted kids, the problem is not that FCPS is letting a lot of above average, not especially advanced kids into AAP. The problem is that they're false advertising the program. The party line is that AAP is for kids who have needs that cannot be met in a regular classroom, and the teachers will differentiate upward to meet the needs of the kids who are far ahead of their peers. The reality is that the program is going to deliver a mildly accelerated curriculum, and the teachers will be too busy with their other duties to create extensions for one child. If a kid is multiple grade levels ahead and has an IQ above 140, that kid should attend private school or be homeschooled. FCPS does not have the bandwidth to meet the needs of children like that.

Yup. It’s much much better than a class with the full spectrum of abilities since the teacher can focus on a narrower band but my kid’s experience at a center was that level 4 was one ai3 mostly fits all. Exception was that starting in 5th I think (maybe 6th?) the teacher would do a pre test and if kids tested well enough they could do other stuff on the computer at a higher level - in practice this was just her and another kid or two usually so the “size” fit most kids well and she was happy with this accommodation as the pace of math in even level 4 was her main complaint. If they had allowed this from 3rd on I would view it as exactly hitting the mark.

Anonymous

04/09/2023 15:01 Subject: AAP Results 2023

The problem is that AAP tries to wear too many hats, and as a result does none of them particularly well. Is it a gifted program serving gifted kids? Is it an accelerated program serving bright kids 1 year above grade level? Is it a program for well behaved, non disruptive kids who are motivated to learn? Is it a talent development program for kids who otherwise might not be given a chance? No one seems to know.

For the highly gifted kids, the problem is not that FCPS is letting a lot of above average, not especially advanced kids into AAP. The problem is that they're false advertising the program. The party line is that AAP is for kids who have needs that cannot be met in a regular classroom, and the teachers will differentiate upward to meet the needs of the kids who are far ahead of their peers. The reality is that the program is going to deliver a mildly accelerated curriculum, and the teachers will be too busy with their other duties to create extensions for one child. If a kid is multiple grade levels ahead and has an IQ above 140, that kid should attend private school or be homeschooled. FCPS does not have the bandwidth to meet the needs of children like that.

Anonymous

04/09/2023 14:28 Subject: Re:AAP Results 2023

I would like to see Advanced Math and Advanced LA, like they do with LII services (it is reading, math or both.) The Advanced Math track leads to parents who want kids with more challenging LA curriculum to push for LIV services even when their kid is not strong in math. If they had Advanced Math and Advanced LA they could have a Math and Science class and a LA and Social Studies class, move the kids into the appropriate groups and not even worry about LIV classes. Kids would be able to stay at their base schools and receive instruction in the areas that they need it.

My kid is more of a math kid, he finds Advanced Math easy. He is strong in LA but more higher reading group and not grade levels ahead in LA. He is in LIV, we deferred in favor of his LI program, so the Advanced Math break down has worked for him. I think he would have been fine at the Center with the LA component but I suspect the Advanced Math and regular LA is fine for him. We have a friend who deferred for her kid because the Advanced Math would have been too much but they really wanted the Advanced LA and Level III does not really make up that difference.

Anonymous

04/09/2023 13:41 Subject: Re:AAP Results 2023

Some kids got in with good scores and some without. I do not think AAP level 4 class with mixed kids with gifted and non-gifted. I wonder whether they should evaluate it every year. Or make the class to be truly gifted kids. (I will be fine if my kid did not get in if they are admitting only 1-2%) I know some kids got in with a higher test scores but very low Iready score. Some kids struggling with math in AAP.

Overall I really like an idea of AAP but not sure which kids should be in based on test scores, report cards, or Iready?