Anonymous wrote:To whomever posted the pet my brain line: Brilliant!

Low standards of brilliance.

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Anonymous wrote:I will be one of those parents that tutor, push the administration, whatever. My kid needs the best education possible and I'm not convinced he'll get it in his non-aap school.

There is no guarantee he will get it at an AAP school, either. There can be significant behavior/social issues in many of those classrooms that limit learning, particularly in sensitive children. I believe the AAP system in FCPS is thoroughly broken and only benefits parents who want to say their child is in it.

What I find interesting is that FCPS hired a new Superintendent in 2013 and she came in and made a lot of changes - all day kindergarten, later HS start times, major reorganization of the FCPS bureaucracy, etc. One thing she has shown absolutely no interest in is dismantling or fundamentally restructuring AAP. Perhaps her assessment, like that of so many parents, is that the array of academic services in FCPS works well.

If people want a one-size-fits-all curriculum where they will never have to worry about someone else's kid testing into a program that does not admit their child, all they have to do is move to Arlington or Loudoun.

This ^^^^ Bye!

+1. Most people aren't really upset that AAP exists. They're upset that it exists and turned down Larlo. But guess what? APS would also turn down Larlo for gifted. So would Loudon Futura. The gifted kids might get fewer services (which some of them actually need). But they would still be in fun pull outs or whatever without Larlo.

Maybe try DCPS? They have no differentiation at all. So that's probably what you want. Of course, only 27% of kids were on grade level last year. But at least no one's getting ahead.

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Anonymous wrote:I have a child that just started in the AAP program this year. My initial thoughts are that it is a good program. I like the higher expectations and focus on critical thinking, however I don't think it is all that much of a gifted program. My DC is one of those kids that tests in the highly gifted range but is lazy and will rise to only to whatever expectations are set for the class unless he is interested in the what he is doing. He needs a class that is more in depth and accelerated than what the current AAP program offers.

That said I think the Aap extensions that focus on critical thinking would benefit all kids and should be provided as part of the general education curriculum.
I do think the current program is bloated and clearly includes kids who don't belong in a traditional gifted classroom. I know lots of kids that got in without the requisite test or GBRS scores. I am all for offering the current AAP curriculum as the general education curriculum and reducing the current AAP cohort to the top 2% of FCPS takers and offering a truly accelerated and gifted program. That way the vast majority of kids can benefit from the AAP focus on critical thinking that I think that most generally bright kids can handle.

Your kid has only spent nine days in an AAP classroom.

They were 9 superficial, non-in-depth days, with no critical thinking.

Anonymous wrote:I have a child that just started in the AAP program this year. My initial thoughts are that it is a good program. I like the higher expectations and focus on critical thinking, however I don't think it is all that much of a gifted program. My DC is one of those kids that tests in the highly gifted range but is lazy and will rise to only to whatever expectations are set for the class unless he is interested in the what he is doing. He needs a class that is more in depth and accelerated than what the current AAP program offers.

That said I think the Aap extensions that focus on critical thinking would benefit all kids and should be provided as part of the general education curriculum.
I do think the current program is bloated and clearly includes kids who don't belong in a traditional gifted classroom. I know lots of kids that got in without the requisite test or GBRS scores. I am all for offering the current AAP curriculum as the general education curriculum and reducing the current AAP cohort to the top 2% of FCPS takers and offering a truly accelerated and gifted program. That way the vast majority of kids can benefit from the AAP focus on critical thinking that I think that most generally bright kids can handle.

Your kid has only spent nine days in an AAP classroom.

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Anonymous wrote:I will be one of those parents that tutor, push the administration, whatever. My kid needs the best education possible and I'm not convinced he'll get it in his non-aap school.

There is no guarantee he will get it at an AAP school, either. There can be significant behavior/social issues in many of those classrooms that limit learning, particularly in sensitive children. I believe the AAP system in FCPS is thoroughly broken and only benefits parents who want to say their child is in it.

What I find interesting is that FCPS hired a new Superintendent in 2013 and she came in and made a lot of changes - all day kindergarten, later HS start times, major reorganization of the FCPS bureaucracy, etc. One thing she has shown absolutely no interest in is dismantling or fundamentally restructuring AAP. Perhaps her assessment, like that of so many parents, is that the array of academic services in FCPS works well.

If people want a one-size-fits-all curriculum where they will never have to worry about someone else's kid testing into a program that does not admit their child, all they have to do is move to Arlington or Loudoun.

This ^^^^ Bye!

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the original concept - where there exists a very small percentage of kids that have a high IQ and at one time were not able to access a curriculum that met their needs. I do believe maybe *AT MOST* and I'm being generous - 5% of FCPS kids have a very high IQ and have exceptionally gifted capabilities. Those kids should have special resources. Fine.

That being said, the situation that has devolved over the past 3 decades is a joke. I am seeing overbearing parents pushing their kids to steal a ticket into the program and I am getting sick of it. Schools have between 25% - 50% gifted students across the board. What is the point of that?

What if we decided to create a special classroom for children gifted in sports? Why not? Time and time again, those gifted in sports become our brilliant leaders of the future? Why not continue to foster those values in the classroom?

What if we decided to create special classrooms for children gifted in beauty? How would society react to that? One could argue that beauty is a major factor to success. Intelligence is not a definitive indicator of success.

Anyone else see how ridiculous and unequal this has all become? If you don't then please help me understand otherwise.

I am most interested in hearing responses from parents of kids who are non-AAP.

You sound bitter. Maybe you should spend more time focusing on your own kids instead of kids in AAP.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the previous poster with the highly gifted but lazy DC. I actually think the AAP program could be better. I think the current AAP program really isn't that much of gifted program so that the current curriculum could be used for the vast majority of bright kids that may or may not be currently in AAP. As it stands I don't think the program actually meets the need of the highly gifted. I think the current program could be used for most GE population and a more in depth and more accelerated program be developed for the highly gifted. I proposed top 2% of FCPS test takers. It would be a hard limit. A much more selective program would eliminate much, but not all the angst that currently exists. For those that complain that it might be one bad test day, they would have multiple times to try to meet the top 2% cut off but it must be top 2% for that administration. But no matter what the cut off I realize there will be a certain percentage of parents that will try to get in the program come hell or high water. But you can never completely eliminate it.

So until a truly gifted program exists AAP is the best we have got but I think most AAP parents know it is not really a gifted program but it is the best there is right now.

I have one kid who tests consistently in the 99% range and another slightly lower who we kept in gen ed.

Both would be placed in AAP according to your criteria.

I think the slightly wider net of the currently system is far better at meeting the needs of highly gifted kids than what you suggest, for many reasons.

Many of those on the edge kids are exceptionally driven, hard working students. They do a lot to push the kids who are lazy because everything is so easy.

The highly gifted kids often have deficits in social areas, which greatly affect academics, particularly in upper elementary. The center model brings together many kids like them, allows them to be just one of the kids vs an outcast or a standout, and gives them a peer group. AAP is truly amazing for these gifted kids and really helps many of them from falling through the cracks or hating school.

There are entry points every single year for AAP, so a kid who might not need it as an eight year old has opportunities to access the curriculum over and over again for the next five years, and then later in high school through honors and AP classes. No one is being held back even a little bit; some kids just have a different timeline and that is OK.

If my memory is correct, you said your kid is a third graders? As someone who has had kids go all the way through the AAP program, and another in an upper elementary grade, I would say kindly that you do not have all the information yet to know the benefits of this program, and probaboy don't have a clue as to which kids are the "truly gifted" and which are not. If you did you might end up very surprised.

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Anonymous wrote:When you have 25 - 50% in AAP, the term "gifted" has lost all meaning.

There are NOT 25-50% of fcps kids in AAP centers/level IV.

You need to try to brush up on facts.

No, you need to brush up on your facts. Of the three schools closest to my house: One has 35%, one has 33% and the other has 25%. There are schools with up to 50% kids in AAP. That is a fact.

If you you know that the three schools closest to your home have these specific numbers, several things are true: (1) you live in a very specific area in the Western part of the county that's a TJ feeder zone, (2) you have way too much time on your hands, (3) which you spend on some weird obsession you have with a program that your child doesn't even attend, and (4) you would be a lot happier if you just moved somewhere like Lake Braddock. Or heck-- try a Stuart zoned school. Your kid will look like a rocket scientist by virtue of the fact they speak English. If your kids can't keep up, you should definately teach them that the solution is just to surround themselves with lower performing people.

^^ beyond any issues related to the children, here is another reason why people dislike AAP: the parents.

Because they can string together a coherent thought? Or because you have an inferiority complex?

More examples of how AAP parents can be jerks. And racists too, it appears. Thanks for further demonstrating my point.

Why are you even posting on this thread? OP asked for people who think AAP is BS. Go work on your reading comprehension.

Where do you get racist from ? People of every race and ethic background can be comp,Evelyn incapable of logical thought.

And if OP wants a thread full of people thrashing AAP parents and kids, what did she (and you) think would happen on DCUM? Again with the logically and coherent thought.

Are you still posting here? And were you attempting to make a point about logical and coherent thought?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will be one of those parents that tutor, push the administration, whatever. My kid needs the best education possible and I'm not convinced he'll get it in his non-aap school.

There is no guarantee he will get it at an AAP school, either. There can be significant behavior/social issues in many of those classrooms that limit learning, particularly in sensitive children. I believe the AAP system in FCPS is thoroughly broken and only benefits parents who want to say their child is in it.

I understand, but we'll take our chances. We are in a high farms school and I'm nervous. Also looking into moving.

I'm the previous poster with the highly gifted but lazy DC. I actually think the AAP program could be better. I think the current AAP program really isn't that much of gifted program so that the current curriculum could be used for the vast majority of bright kids that may or may not be currently in AAP. As it stands I don't think the program actually meets the need of the highly gifted. I think the current program could be used for most GE population and a more in depth and more accelerated program be developed for the highly gifted. I proposed top 2% of FCPS test takers. It would be a hard limit. A much more selective program would eliminate much, but not all the angst that currently exists. For those that complain that it might be one bad test day, they would have multiple times to try to meet the top 2% cut off but it must be top 2% for that administration. But no matter what the cut off I realize there will be a certain percentage of parents that will try to get in the program come hell or high water. But you can never completely eliminate it.

So until a truly gifted program exists AAP is the best we have got but I think most AAP parents know it is not really a gifted program but it is the best there is right now.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anyone would say that being in an AAP center program is a bad thing for a student who is identified as gifted, via the usual tests and observation.

I don't think anyone would say that special programs are a bad thing for kids with learning disabilities, autism, or who don't speak much English.

So leave those programs alone, as they are doing the job in helping meet those students' needs.

Change your focus to the kids in gen ed who desperately need the attention and more differentiation and more challenging work. Stop trying to blame the one program you can blame and still feel PC. It's misguided.

This is a great point. ELL has to have as many kids as AAP, and certainly makes huge demands on the resources. Special Ed is smaller, but again, is very resource intensive. AAP cost nothing extra except busing. And certainly there is an argument to be made that it brings in tax dollars that more than offset it's cost if parents and business move here, instead of MD, Alington, DC, Loudon, PW County, etc because of AAP. As the Arlington vs FCPS NMSF debate on the other thread (why is FCPS so much more successful than Arlington at having kids get NMSFs?). AAP also creates a successful pipeline to TJ and produces students who make the whole school system look good. Nevertheless, it's the program GE parents want to target-- because it looks bad to gripe about Special Ed and ELL. And because they aren't jealous of the kids in Special Ed and ELL.

To whomever posted the pet my brain line: Brilliant!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:" Schools have between 25% - 50% gifted students across the board."

Very, very rare (meaning almost no schools are like this)

"Time and time again, those gifted in sports become our brilliant leaders of the future?"

Time and time again? Um, name 50 people in a American history who were "gifted" in sports who later became our "brilliant" leaders? I can't think of a single one. Reagan played football, but wasn't gifted in it. Schwartzenegger? Neither gifted as a bodybuilder nor a leader. Do name 50, please, which should be easily done if has happened time and time again.

You're using gross exaggerations which dilutes your message, which message has been rehashed extensively on this site.

No, you are SO right PP. Athleticism doesn't matter, EQ doesn't matter, creativity doesn't matter, writing doesn't matter, physical appearance doesn't matter, artistic expression doesn't matter. Gosh! really nothing is an indicator of success or worthiness to superior resources than a really high math score come to think of it! The only REAL factor that matters is a high ability in math.

You must be so smart PP. I bet you have a gigantic IQ. Do people routinely stop you on the street and ask to 'pet' your brain? And no doubt, you are a HUGE success in life PP.

Ha ha - the OP made an argument based on FALSE statements and when called on it the response is a snotty retort that makes really no sense at all and certainly doesn't address the false premises. You're funny.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think anyone would say that being in an AAP center program is a bad thing for a student who is identified as gifted, via the usual tests and observation.

I don't think anyone would say that special programs are a bad thing for kids with learning disabilities, autism, or who don't speak much English.

So leave those programs alone, as they are doing the job in helping meet those students' needs.

Change your focus to the kids in gen ed who desperately need the attention and more differentiation and more challenging work. Stop trying to blame the one program you can blame and still feel PC. It's misguided.

Lots of people have said that on this thread.

I don't think anyone would say that being in an AAP center program is a bad thing for a student who is identified as gifted, via the usual tests and observation.

I don't think anyone would say that special programs are a bad thing for kids with learning disabilities, autism, or who don't speak much English.

So leave those programs alone, as they are doing the job in helping meet those students' needs.

Change your focus to the kids in gen ed who desperately need the attention and more differentiation and more challenging work. Stop trying to blame the one program you can blame and still feel PC. It's misguided.