Anonymous wrote:OP here again: We did get the WISC. It was in line with the other scores (mid 90s), with one that was really high. Again, my point is that the scores are "low" (all relative here) so despite being in pull-outs and high math/reading/etc. all along and performing well in these, my child will be in Gen Ed and the peers in AAP. Because this is LLIV, there is no changing of schools. AAP is very bloated at our school, so that is especially frustrating.

OP, are you saying that one WISC subscore was really high? If it was the verbal or perceptual reasoning, that alone might be enough to get your DC in on appeal. The other two subscores, working memory and processing speed, aren't really counted for purposes of AAP consideration, if their being low brought down the composite score. Google WISC GAI if you aren't familiar with it already.

OP did mention that her son's school has local level IV (which maybe most eligible kids stay for), so her response wouldn't involve saying something about not going to another school.

OP, how about saying something like, "No. Maybe next year we'll try to get him in." A mom at our school said something like this, and I think it was a good response. It conveyed that, while the DC was definitely within the realm of consideration and a mistake may have been made, the parents didn't see AAP as such a big deal and weren't desperately appealing, WISCing, etc. Also that way, even if you are appealing, you shouldn't get nosy questions about the status of your appeal.

I can see how this can be rough - our school has a lot of AAP students accepted and therefore it can be assumed certain kids got in. I do find that people don't talk about it (or at least not to me) but it will be very obvious who got in pretty soon. I do agree that it would be better just to say they didn't get in... we had kids that didn't get in that fit your child's profile (advanced, in pull-outs)- it was puzzling since these kids have been performing at the top.

I don't think anyone is trying to hurt you. They probably assumed your kid got in.

Just say your child did not and move on. I am sure you will have a similar type questioning when your child goes to college. AAP is not the end all be all. Your child can still take honors classes in middle school and AP/IB classes in high school. Perhaps your child will work harder and be motivated to do well.

Anonymous wrote:I understand your frustration, OP -- but I think a PP had it right... better to stand in your truth and own it than lie or be a smart@ss about it. Do YOU believe your child is "less than" if he wasn't admitted to AAP? If not, then don't accept anyone's suggestion that they are superior b/c their kid did get in.

"Is __ going to AAP?"
"No, ___ will be here next year." (said with no sarcasm b/c YOU are totally o.k. with your child not being in AAP, right? YOU know that this is really not the defining moment in his life.) Own that or work on knowing that your child is still a-o.k. without AAP. Nobody can make you feel bad about yourself if YOU truly feel good about yourself.

Let me also say, that some people just ask b/c they are hoping to find a commonality and they apparently believe your child was in the realm of being admitted. In my kids' school AAP is VERY hush, hush. That may be in large part b/c few people pay attention to it or know what it is! Just today, another mom who I know very casually (I just figured out her name last week), asked me if my son is doing that AAP thing. Lucky for her, my kid did get the eligible letter. I asked if she was going to send her son and it was clear from her answer that she didn't know what it was. She thought that kids went over to another school (the center) once in awhile. She didn't know that it was a full-time (attend the other school) program! So, sometimes, people are just asking b/c they are just wondering and they don't intend to judge or imply superiority.

OP -- take a breath. Know that your kid IS just as promising as any other kid. While it is nice to receive an "eligible" letter, in the long run, it means very little.

AAP mom here. I'd add that in the short-run it also means very little. Accelerated curriculum, but bright kids still learn without it.

Anonymous wrote:I understand your frustration, OP -- but I think a PP had it right... better to stand in your truth and own it than lie or be a smart@ss about it. Do YOU believe your child is "less than" if he wasn't admitted to AAP? If not, then don't accept anyone's suggestion that they are superior b/c their kid did get in.

"Is __ going to AAP?"
"No, ___ will be here next year." (said with no sarcasm b/c YOU are totally o.k. with your child not being in AAP, right? YOU know that this is really not the defining moment in his life.) Own that or work on knowing that your child is still a-o.k. without AAP. Nobody can make you feel bad about yourself if YOU truly feel good about yourself.

Let me also say, that some people just ask b/c they are hoping to find a commonality and they apparently believe your child was in the realm of being admitted. In my kids' school AAP is VERY hush, hush. That may be in large part b/c few people pay attention to it or know what it is! Just today, another mom who I know very casually (I just figured out her name last week), asked me if my son is doing that AAP thing. Lucky for her, my kid did get the eligible letter. I asked if she was going to send her son and it was clear from her answer that she didn't know what it was. She thought that kids went over to another school (the center) once in awhile. She didn't know that it was a full-time (attend the other school) program! So, sometimes, people are just asking b/c they are just wondering and they don't intend to judge or imply superiority.

OP -- take a breath. Know that your kid IS just as promising as any other kid. While it is nice to receive an "eligible" letter, in the long run, it means very little.

Amen. I wish my child attended a school like yours, where AAP is hardly discussed. Unfortunately, our base school is also a center, where all things AAP are very much gossiped about. It really gets old and I would love to switch DC to a different elementary school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again: We did get the WISC. It was in line with the other scores (mid 90s), with one that was really high. Again, my point is that the scores are "low" (all relative here) so despite being in pull-outs and high math/reading/etc. all along and performing well in these, my child will be in Gen Ed and the peers in AAP. Because this is LLIV, there is no changing of schools. AAP is very bloated at our school, so that is especially frustrating.

I would be frustrated too. Is a kid who scores in the 95th percentile all that different form one who scores in the 97th percentile who would likely be admitted? That could be a difference of one or two questions per test.

Which is why the cutoff scores need to be raised. To much commonality between kids who get into AAP and kids who almost do, but not quite. The current system creates a false division of ability.

I understand your frustration, OP -- but I think a PP had it right... better to stand in your truth and own it than lie or be a smart@ss about it. Do YOU believe your child is "less than" if he wasn't admitted to AAP? If not, then don't accept anyone's suggestion that they are superior b/c their kid did get in.

"Is __ going to AAP?"
"No, ___ will be here next year." (said with no sarcasm b/c YOU are totally o.k. with your child not being in AAP, right? YOU know that this is really not the defining moment in his life.) Own that or work on knowing that your child is still a-o.k. without AAP. Nobody can make you feel bad about yourself if YOU truly feel good about yourself.

Let me also say, that some people just ask b/c they are hoping to find a commonality and they apparently believe your child was in the realm of being admitted. In my kids' school AAP is VERY hush, hush. That may be in large part b/c few people pay attention to it or know what it is! Just today, another mom who I know very casually (I just figured out her name last week), asked me if my son is doing that AAP thing. Lucky for her, my kid did get the eligible letter. I asked if she was going to send her son and it was clear from her answer that she didn't know what it was. She thought that kids went over to another school (the center) once in awhile. She didn't know that it was a full-time (attend the other school) program! So, sometimes, people are just asking b/c they are just wondering and they don't intend to judge or imply superiority.

OP -- take a breath. Know that your kid IS just as promising as any other kid. While it is nice to receive an "eligible" letter, in the long run, it means very little.

Anonymous wrote:OP here again: We did get the WISC. It was in line with the other scores (mid 90s), with one that was really high. Again, my point is that the scores are "low" (all relative here) so despite being in pull-outs and high math/reading/etc. all along and performing well in these, my child will be in Gen Ed and the peers in AAP. Because this is LLIV, there is no changing of schools. AAP is very bloated at our school, so that is especially frustrating.

I would be frustrated too. Is a kid who scores in the 95th percentile all that different form one who scores in the 97th percentile who would likely be admitted? That could be a difference of one or two questions per test.

At the very least, hopefully it will help identify the child to receive level 2 or 3 services.

Would for sure appeal-you have nothing to lose.

Anonymous wrote:pp appeal! Very likely your child will get in on appeal.

I agree. Give it a shot and see what happens.

Anonymous wrote:to deal with the stinging and I get it. I would leave the door open that you might have opted out with the way you repsond. so instead of, he didn't get in, something like, oh he won't be going to the center. then give them a strong, "it's unbelievable to me how much people talk/ask about this. I think it should be a private matter who is in and what choices people make for their kids. something to shut them up. likely they are asking in many cases b/c their kid did and they want to bask in it more and feel good. really annoying...

Seriously, you would rather lie than admit you experienced a disappointment that hurts? How will you teach your child to deal with life's disappointments?

pp appeal! Very likely your child will get in on appeal.

OP here again: We did get the WISC. It was in line with the other scores (mid 90s), with one that was really high. Again, my point is that the scores are "low" (all relative here) so despite being in pull-outs and high math/reading/etc. all along and performing well in these, my child will be in Gen Ed and the peers in AAP. Because this is LLIV, there is no changing of schools. AAP is very bloated at our school, so that is especially frustrating.