Anonymous wrote:I am the anti prep person. Prepping for me is preparing for the specific test, which is (IMHO) unethical, as the test is scaled assuming there is no prep. I can not site a reference for that.

There is a huge difference between prep for a specific test as a 2nd grader that should not be prepped, and activities that grow the overall mind. Reading, critical thinking, creative play, etc all can enhance ones mental capacity. Playing chess, checkers, even monopoly and risk will hav long term benifits, and can lead to increased intellectual capability.

Specific drill and practice for the CogAT will not; it may increase the score but will not accomplish anything else.

In addition, getting into AAP is not that hard.

BTW< you can also game the WISC: take it three times in two weeks. The kid will score a higher score. Most psychologists would consider that unethical.

I am the anti prep person. Prepping for me is preparing for the specific test, which is (IMHO) unethical, as the test is scaled assuming there is no prep. I can not site a reference for that.

There is a huge difference between prep for a specific test as a 2nd grader that should not be prepped, and activities that grow the overall mind. Reading, critical thinking, creative play, etc all can enhance ones mental capacity. Playing chess, checkers, even monopoly and risk will hav long term benifits, and can lead to increased intellectual capability.

Specific drill and practice for the CogAT will not; it may increase the score but will not accomplish anything else.

In addition, getting into AAP is not that hard.

BTW< you can also game the WISC: take it three times in two weeks. The kid will score a higher score. Most psychologists would consider that unethical.

I am the anti prep person. Prepping for me is preparing for the specific test, which is (IMHO) unethical, as the test is scaled assuming there is no prep. I can not site a reference for that.

There is a huge difference between prep for a specific test as a 2nd grader that should not be prepped, and activities that grow the overall mind. Reading, critical thinking, creative play, etc all can enhance ones mental capacity. Playing chess, checkers, even monopoly and risk will hav long term benifits, and can lead to increased intellectual capability.

Specific drill and practice for the CogAT will not; it may increase the score but will not accomplish anything else.

In addition, getting into AAP is not that hard.

BTW< you can also game the WISC: take it three times in two weeks. The kid will score a higher score. Most psychologists would consider that unethical.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people need to get a life! After reading this thread it seems that ffxco parents are just a bunch of name calling nuts spewing stats and psycho babble at one another. Enough already.

Agree.

After reading many of these AAP threads, I am very convinced that these threads are monopolized by 4 or 5 crazy people absolutely obsessed with AAP. One vehemently anti-prep wackadoodle whose self worth is tied into their child being naturally smarter than everyone else's kid. A couple of very bitter parents whose children were not placed in AAP in spite of herculanean efforts by the parents, who now feel that no one else but that elusive upper 99% deserve extra enrichment. And one or two people (probably parents of the few truly brilliant kids) who really aren't that passionate either way, but get a kick out of stirring up the crazies.

That small group of parents make everyone lok like nut jobs: the newbie parents and transfers trying to find answers, the parents with kids in the program trying to be helpful and offer insight, and the people with a general interest in gifted ed.

I'm a parent of a preschooler and new to Fairfax County. These boards make it seem like getting into AAP is harder than it was to get into college 20 years ago with all the tests, teacher recommendations, etc.

My child got into AAP, did not prep for the tests. Just the usual good night's sleep and good breakfast. He was in the pool , I filled out the paperwork, added some work samples and that was it. Accepted and did well last year.

My child got into AAP, did not prep for the tests. Just the usual good night's sleep and good breakfast. He was in the pool , I filled out the paperwork, added some work samples and that was it. Accepted and did well last year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people need to get a life! After reading this thread it seems that ffxco parents are just a bunch of name calling nuts spewing stats and psycho babble at one another. Enough already.

Agree.

After reading many of these AAP threads, I am very convinced that these threads are monopolized by 4 or 5 crazy people absolutely obsessed with AAP. One vehemently anti-prep wackadoodle whose self worth is tied into their child being naturally smarter than everyone else's kid. A couple of very bitter parents whose children were not placed in AAP in spite of herculanean efforts by the parents, who now feel that no one else but that elusive upper 99% deserve extra enrichment. And one or two people (probably parents of the few truly brilliant kids) who really aren't that passionate either way, but get a kick out of stirring up the crazies.

That small group of parents make everyone lok like nut jobs: the newbie parents and transfers trying to find answers, the parents with kids in the program trying to be helpful and offer insight, and the people with a general interest in gifted ed.

I'm a parent of a preschooler and new to Fairfax County. These boards make it seem like getting into AAP is harder than it was to get into college 20 years ago with all the tests, teacher recommendations, etc.

I'm a parent of a preschooler and new to Fairfax County. These boards make it seem like getting into AAP is harder than it was to get into college 20 years ago with all the tests, teacher recommendations, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You people need to get a life! After reading this thread it seems that ffxco parents are just a bunch of name calling nuts spewing stats and psycho babble at one another. Enough already.

Agree.

After reading many of these AAP threads, I am very convinced that these threads are monopolized by 4 or 5 crazy people absolutely obsessed with AAP. One vehemently anti-prep wackadoodle whose self worth is tied into their child being naturally smarter than everyone else's kid. A couple of very bitter parents whose children were not placed in AAP in spite of herculanean efforts by the parents, who now feel that no one else but that elusive upper 99% deserve extra enrichment. And one or two people (probably parents of the few truly brilliant kids) who really aren't that passionate either way, but get a kick out of stirring up the crazies.

That small group of parents make everyone lok like nut jobs: the newbie parents and transfers trying to find answers, the parents with kids in the program trying to be helpful and offer insight, and the people with a general interest in gifted ed.

Anonymous wrote:You people need to get a life! After reading this thread it seems that ffxco parents are just a bunch of name calling nuts spewing stats and psycho babble at one another. Enough already.

Anonymous wrote:

Parents should be cautious if someone is trying to sell them expensive books and courses to prepare for standardized tests. Do your research. Sure, everyone deserves to make a living, but make sure you know what you are buying. We all want to do our best by our children and unfortunately, there are people out there who will take advantage of that parental instinct to sell us things that are higher priced than they need to be while making big, big promises about what their products and services can offer.

You as a parent can do a lot to help your child reach his or her potential that is totally free. The library is free. Start with getting your child a library card at a young age and encourage lots and lots of reading. When a child loves to read, that child will love to learn. "Read, read, read!" as the sign says on one of our local elementary schools.

Are you hallucinating and fretting over imaginary salespeople trying to sell you expensive books and courses because you are incapable of understanding fundamental genetic and physiological principles?