If there is such little difference in the curriculum, what would the problem be with offering to everyone?

AAP is not that difficult or challenging compared to the baseline progam but being in a peer group of eclectic, bright, accademically motivated kids makes a huge difference.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Fairfax County is a great district with many wonderful opportunities for all its students, be it general ed, special ed, or gifted ed.

We are very fortunate that the biggest complaint most people have on this board is whether 10% or 15% or 20% of the students get to receive full day gifted services.

Relatively speaking, FCPS is better than many of the neighboring districts. But the system does have its problems. Students will not be served well if the shortcoming are ignored.

^^ Like what?

I have been a FCPS parent for 11 years. Here are a few general observations:

1. A lack of consistency in teacher performance, course objectives and student performance expectations in different sections of some courses, especially in high school.
2. A rather weak math curriculum, especially in elementary and middle school.
3. Inadequate quality feedback as a learning tool for students in some classes, especially in English and social sciences. Most of the feedback seems to be cursory and not substantive.
4. Lack of connection between the different parts of the curriculum. For example, projects that connect math, science and writing are generally missing in middle school. And, when they are present in high school they lack substance.
5. A general lack of focus on developing and measuring student competencies in certain subject. The focus seems to be more on memorization than developing problem solving competencies.
6. The inability of the system to excite and engage kids in learning. Many kids seems to be disconnected from the whole educational experience the schools is offering.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Fairfax County is a great district with many wonderful opportunities for all its students, be it general ed, special ed, or gifted ed.

We are very fortunate that the biggest complaint most people have on this board is whether 10% or 15% or 20% of the students get to receive full day gifted services.

Relatively speaking, FCPS is better than many of the neighboring districts. But the system does have its problems. Students will not be served well if the shortcoming are ignored.

^^ Like what?

The thing is other districts have all this AAP curriculum, they just don't call it anything other than differentiation. They switch between classes for instruction the way it used to be done. Some switch starting in kindergarten and 1st grade, not in 3rd grade like FCPS. I have friends in Montgomery County and Arlington and I can vouch that many schools in their systems are more rigorous in the earlier years than the FCPS system for it's brightest students. Perhaps once you hit the AAP years, the AAP classes are just catching up to the top level classes in those districts.

Anonymous wrote:

Fairfax County is a great district with many wonderful opportunities for all its students, be it general ed, special ed, or gifted ed.

We are very fortunate that the biggest complaint most people have on this board is whether 10% or 15% or 20% of the students get to receive full day gifted services.

Relatively speaking, FCPS is better than many of the neighboring districts. But the system does have its problems. Students will not be served well if the shortcoming are ignored.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not that the curricula are so vastly different, it's more the speed at which the classes go through their studies. When covering similar course materials, the AAP class will simply cover more ground or more depth in a week than the regular class.
One size does not fit all. I think it's wonderful that there are different classrooms suited to different types of learners in Fairfax County.

I agree! My child has been in gifted programs in 3 different states. Usually DC is just one of two or 3 students in the grade. How wonderful it is that Fairfax is able to fund such a large, inclusive program and offer this service to so many kids. This is even more exceptional considering how strong the regular non-AAP classes, teachers and students are at the base schools.

The district has specialists for kids lagging behind, language assistance and enrichment for students who are not fluent in English, and even additional pullout and enrichment for kids who are bright and hardworking but who might not need the specialized instruction of a full immersion gifted program.

How fortunate our children are to go to school in a district that provides so many accomodations and such a rich learning experience for all of its students.

How refreshing to see such a positive post about our school system! If I stay on DCUM long enough, it usually ends up depressing me. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not that the curricula are so vastly different, it's more the speed at which the classes go through their studies. When covering similar course materials, the AAP class will simply cover more ground or more depth in a week than the regular class.
One size does not fit all. I think it's wonderful that there are different classrooms suited to different types of learners in Fairfax County.

Sure, as long as the different programs are rigorous and offer quality education proportional to the amount of time students spend at school. There are different types of learners and different ways of learning. Raise the bar for all.

Yes, but you need the bar set just high enough to be attainable through hard word. Challenging, but not unattainable.

If a child is working hard to earn As, occasionally struggles to master some concepts or subjects, mostly loves to learn, and does not skate or daydream their way through school, then they are probably in a place where the bar is set just right.

So important that the bar be set just right for that child! We need to think of our children as individuals, with different interests and strengths. One size truly does not fit all.

Sure. And general ed sets that bar just right for most of our students.

Fairfax County is a great district with many wonderful opportunities for all its students, be it general ed, special ed, or gifted ed.

We are very fortunate that the biggest complaint most people have on this board is whether 10% or 15% or 20% of the students get to receive full day gifted services.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are so many parents obsessed with an AAP curriculum being implemented in Gen Ed? FCPS already pushes beyond most school district's expectations. There are many average learners who are already challenged by the standard curriculum. They are important, well rounded smart kids too but pushing them beyond their level just to say they are getting the same curriculum isn't fair to them.
I have an A/B child in high school who has gotten honor roll throughout DC's school career. But DC works for it, it doesn't come easy, just a great work ethic and a great kid. DC would not fare well in an advanced program. In fact I think it would be potentially detrimental emotionally.
If you want your kids to have more enrichment take that responsibility on yourself. Stop expecting your public school to provide everything. Teach your child another language, go to museums, expose them to other cultures, research, money management and travel to places other than Disneyland, your child will be much better served.

Every time I read this forum it seems that parents are obsessed with which program acronym to attach to their child. Knowledge is so much bigger than that, we should be focused on broadening our children's horizon's, teaching tolerance and kindness. That's what so many are lacking.

LOL. Are you the same poster with Disney hatred on the "missing days of school" thread? Give it a rest. What do you care where people go for family fun trips?

I haven't seen that thread but I'll take a look. Sorry to bring your world to a grinding halt but I guess there are two people who realize that Disney is a great place to visit, I've actually been several times (imagine that), but it's not worth much in the way of cultural or educational value. I hope you're not arguing otherwise.

Random coincidence, I guess, that Mickey keeps coming up on DCUM lately. Animal Kingdom and even EPCOT, I thought offered some pretty cool learning opportunities here and there, but thats not really what we're talking about here, so I'll move on.

Anyway, PP, on to the more substantive points of your post....

1) I am with you 100% on the point that parents should take responsibilty for providing learning opportunities outside of school. That said, kids are in school over 30 hours a week and that is where they are learning a bulk of their academics.

2) I am so not obessed with a label/acronym. On the contrary, my ideal would be for my kids to receive a challenging curriculum at their base school without having it labeled at all.

I believe there are some parents, who, like you say, are very caught up in the AAP "status" (bragging rights, validation that their kid is a genius) and that is very unfortunate. But there are also parents who earnestly just want more kids to have more opportunity to learn at the most challenging level that they can.

3) Its not all about academics. Tolerance and kindness - absolutely. I think we can challenge minds and teach those things - no contradiction there.

So I really am curious about this FAT test. Would love to know if the point of the change is really a response to all the test prep supposedly happening in the county, or because "too many" kids are qualifying - really? Wondering what the real reasoning is behind it all. Could it be less costly to administer our own test vs a nationally normed test? Anyone?

Don't fret folks. Your kids are not "left behind" if they are in Gen. Ed. That's just crazy talk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not that the curricula are so vastly different, it's more the speed at which the classes go through their studies. When covering similar course materials, the AAP class will simply cover more ground or more depth in a week than the regular class.
One size does not fit all. I think it's wonderful that there are different classrooms suited to different types of learners in Fairfax County.

Sure, as long as the different programs are rigorous and offer quality education proportional to the amount of time students spend at school. There are different types of learners and different ways of learning. Raise the bar for all.

Yes, but you need the bar set just high enough to be attainable through hard word. Challenging, but not unattainable.

If a child is working hard to earn As, occasionally struggles to master some concepts or subjects, mostly loves to learn, and does not skate or daydream their way through school, then they are probably in a place where the bar is set just right.

So important that the bar be set just right for that child! We need to think of our children as individuals, with different interests and strengths. One size truly does not fit all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not that the curricula are so vastly different, it's more the speed at which the classes go through their studies. When covering similar course materials, the AAP class will simply cover more ground or more depth in a week than the regular class.
One size does not fit all. I think it's wonderful that there are different classrooms suited to different types of learners in Fairfax County.

Sure, as long as the different programs are rigorous and offer quality education proportional to the amount of time students spend at school. There are different types of learners and different ways of learning. Raise the bar for all.

Yes, but you need the bar set just high enough to be attainable through hard word. Challenging, but not unattainable.

If a child is working hard to earn As, occasionally struggles to master some concepts or subjects, mostly loves to learn, and does not skate or daydream their way through school, then they are probably in a place where the bar is set just right.

Anonymous wrote:It's not that the curricula are so vastly different, it's more the speed at which the classes go through their studies. When covering similar course materials, the AAP class will simply cover more ground or more depth in a week than the regular class.
One size does not fit all. I think it's wonderful that there are different classrooms suited to different types of learners in Fairfax County.

Sure, as long as the different programs are rigorous and offer quality education proportional to the amount of time students spend at school. There are different types of learners and different ways of learning. Raise the bar for all.

Anonymous wrote:It's not that the curricula are so vastly different, it's more the speed at which the classes go through their studies. When covering similar course materials, the AAP class will simply cover more ground or more depth in a week than the regular class.
One size does not fit all. I think it's wonderful that there are different classrooms suited to different types of learners in Fairfax County.

I agree! My child has been in gifted programs in 3 different states. Usually DC is just one of two or 3 students in the grade. How wonderful it is that Fairfax is able to fund such a large, inclusive program and offer this service to so many kids. This is even more exceptional considering how strong the regular non-AAP classes, teachers and students are at the base schools.

The district has specialists for kids lagging behind, language assistance and enrichment for students who are not fluent in English, and even additional pullout and enrichment for kids who are bright and hardworking but who might not need the specialized instruction of a full immersion gifted program.

How fortunate our children are to go to school in a district that provides so many accomodations and such a rich learning experience for all of its students.

It's not that the curricula are so vastly different, it's more the speed at which the classes go through their studies. When covering similar course materials, the AAP class will simply cover more ground or more depth in a week than the regular class.
One size does not fit all. I think it's wonderful that there are different classrooms suited to different types of learners in Fairfax County.

Anonymous wrote:

This is really a lot of nonsense. First, kids in gen. Ed. aren't exactly "left behind." That's just baseless kvetching. The curricula in gen. Ed. and AAP are about the same. The latter is a bit more accelerated in math, and some projects a little more in depth. (assuming of course the kids do the projects themselves, rahther than their parents, which is a big prblem).

Second, this view is at odds with the many, many posts I've read on DCUM and elsewhere that after students get out of school and into real life, the kids who were in Gen. Ed. will do just as well if not better than the AAP kids. They will excel in business, law, filmamking - whatever they want to go into. Go to a 10 or 20 yr. reunion and see who is successful and see if you find any comnnection between what program they were in nin elementary school. Just nonsense really.

The curricula are not the same. Although most of courses may be the same, the educational experience (the curriculum) that for example TJ kids go through is quite different than what most of their peers experience in the other schools. It is not just about one or two more math classes, it is about setting a higher standard and empowering kids to strive for it.

National-wide there has been a shortage of expertise in many technical areas. Simply put, our schools are not meeting the demand both in quantity and quality. if this reality is at odds with the common wisdom of DCUM, then perhaps it is time to spend less time on this forum and more time learning about the long term issues and challenges facing the nation.