Anonymous wrote:OP here. This is not a center school. I was under the impression that AART are there to help parents/act as a resource/be a guide in the process. Getting scripted answers feels fake and doesn't accomplish those goals. And I know she's been more helpful to some others.

Well, in that case, just do the best you can with the samples. My son is in a center school and the AART wasn’t helpful at all. But you can always try for principal placement if the child doesn’t get in.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. This is not a center school. I was under the impression that AART are there to help parents/act as a resource/be a guide in the process. Getting scripted answers feels fake and doesn't accomplish those goals. And I know she's been more helpful to some others.

Maybe this is her way of telling you that, in her view, LLIV isn't appropriate for your kid

OP here. This is not a center school. I was under the impression that AART are there to help parents/act as a resource/be a guide in the process. Getting scripted answers feels fake and doesn't accomplish those goals. And I know she's been more helpful to some others.

Anonymous wrote:The AART at our school (Title I) provides advocacy and help for kids with parents who don't know how to advocate for them.

Unfortunately, this is not all the same across the board with AARTs. Center schools that are high SES tend to not “advocate” because the parents are doing way too much of that anyways and its very competitive to get in vs a local school or a Title 1 school where kids don’t have as many resources.

Some school’s AART’s are apparently more helpful than others. So I have a feeling I know which school you are referring to. If it’s a center school, your AART won’t help much. If its local and they can suggest your kid be in the Level IV (principal placed) I think its different. If your center school is in a high income area, the AART sometimes helps even less. It’s extremely competitive so every parent is contacting them asking for help and they don’t give anyone an unfair advantage if they can avoid it.

Anonymous wrote:Is your AART helpful? Ours is not. This is out third year trying to get into AAP and we have repeatedly asked for assistance with our application and all we get our scripted answers that aren't particularly helpful Is that the norm? In particular we are looking for feedback on the samples we should include.

It sounds like she knows your kid won't get in.

Anonymous wrote:OP just doesn't like the AART in her school. I bet I know what school this is - there is a handful of parents who don't like the AART even though she is a super nice person. She's just very professional.

Out of all the ES, how can you tell? do tell.

She doesn't think your child belongs

Anonymous wrote:Our school's AART is the only reason my kids are in AAP.

They did not meet the cutoff and we only parent referred because she prodded.

So, they're not all unhelpful.

Maybe they're helpful if they think a child belong in AAP and maybe they don't think LLIV is appropriate for OP's child

The AART at our school (Title I) provides advocacy and help for kids with parents who don't know how to advocate for them.

Our school's AART is the only reason my kids are in AAP.

They did not meet the cutoff and we only parent referred because she prodded.

So, they're not all unhelpful.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it is their job to help the parents. I think it is their job to Teach kids in the AAP program and make sure that the school does a good job putting together packets.

I would guess that a parent who has put in a packet 3 times is someone who sees things very differently then the AART and the Teachers. Different Teachers have helped write the GBRSs.

Agree on this.

AART is not like an attorney you hire to make/argue your case.

They should give you information (facts) about the program or process but not make arguments or give opinions on your child or work samplesI realize parents want the opinions and whatnot but I think it is easy to fail to appreciate the process has two separate pipelines for a reason. Parent opinions and info via parent referral and school info via the school packet. If your AART has opinions on your child or thinks certain work samples are good, the appropriate place for that is the school packet, not the parent referral.

The AART may not think your child exhibits any gifted behaviors and she is trying to be nice about it.

OP just doesn't like the AART in her school. I bet I know what school this is - there is a handful of parents who don't like the AART even though she is a super nice person. She's just very professional.

What school, OP?