Anonymous
08/21/2020 08:41
Subject: Re:Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No the point is the majority of AAP kids are fine in the regular classroom AAP is a bloated joke 15-20%+ and again used too much by pushy parents to get away from normal and poor kids
G&T should be actual G&T for the top 1-2% max.
+1
I grew up poor and now have a daughter at TJ. She loves it there. There are a few frustrating things, but overall loves it. In my opinion, TJ should be merit only admissions. There are other solutions to help get better racial diversity.
Just an idea: What if FCPS put in each elementary school with the highest numbers of free/reduced lunch 2 full time teachers with STEM backgrounds whose job was ONLY to run free/reduced cost STEM after school activities? These teachers would work from 3-9pm. For instance, 45 minute math classes grouped on ability, not age, going over more challenging math starting in 2nd grade and material needed for AMC8/Math Counts for older/more advanced kids. These two teachers could do Science Olympiad starting with 3/4 grade in A level and B level for 5/6th grade..Java/Python/ASCL taught for 5/6th grade grouped on advanced ability, scratch for beginner kids. There are many other STEM activities that could be done, like Quiz Bowl or any number of small engineering build projects. Having a student participate in activities like this will build up their stem background, math ability, reading level, and problem solving. Many wealthier FCPS elementary schools have a parent run system like this. However, in a poor elementary school it’s unrealistic to think a household with adults working 2 jobs each can volunteer the hours needed. Many of these parents want this for their kids but lack the stem background to volunteer to run/teach these groups.
The background that these two teachers per school could give these kids would ensure that these kids had a real chance at TJ merit based admissions and the ones admitted could not just succeed, but excel. Simply giving a poor kid a 6 week TJ test prep class in 7th grade isn’t enough in 2020. I know that means investing $200K per school (2 teacher salaries/benefits and say $5K year in fees/supplies ), but how much have other programs like Young Scholars cost? What if this was done at the 10 poorest elementary schools, plus 2 poorest middle schools? The cost is ~$ 2.4 million per year. The long term benefits could be huge.
In my opinion, wealthy parents would love to see schools like TJ torn down. The only kids who got this type education in the 80’s were rich private school kids. Now there are so many specialty high schools, many private schools want to go to no SAT/ACT/AP/ect. for top collage admission. In my opinion,
many public students from schools like TJ outperform their private school counterparts. Please don’t tear down TJ.
You wrongly assume it's about merit. It isn't. It's about test prepping every day for years. That's how Asians beat out everyone else.
Test score is only a small part of the holistic admissions process and no Asians are on those admissions committees. In fact, fcps has been trying to reduce the number of Asians at TJ by emphasizing the subjective portions of the admissions process for many years so Asians students are actually discriminated in the TJ admissions process.
Anonymous
08/21/2020 06:50
Subject: Re:Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:No the point is the majority of AAP kids are fine in the regular classroom AAP is a bloated joke 15-20%+ and again used too much by pushy parents to get away from normal and poor kids
G&T should be actual G&T for the top 1-2% max.
+1
I grew up poor and now have a daughter at TJ. She loves it there. There are a few frustrating things, but overall loves it. In my opinion, TJ should be merit only admissions. There are other solutions to help get better racial diversity.
Just an idea: What if FCPS put in each elementary school with the highest numbers of free/reduced lunch 2 full time teachers with STEM backgrounds whose job was ONLY to run free/reduced cost STEM after school activities? These teachers would work from 3-9pm. For instance, 45 minute math classes grouped on ability, not age, going over more challenging math starting in 2nd grade and material needed for AMC8/Math Counts for older/more advanced kids. These two teachers could do Science Olympiad starting with 3/4 grade in A level and B level for 5/6th grade..Java/Python/ASCL taught for 5/6th grade grouped on advanced ability, scratch for beginner kids. There are many other STEM activities that could be done, like Quiz Bowl or any number of small engineering build projects. Having a student participate in activities like this will build up their stem background, math ability, reading level, and problem solving. Many wealthier FCPS elementary schools have a parent run system like this. However, in a poor elementary school it’s unrealistic to think a household with adults working 2 jobs each can volunteer the hours needed. Many of these parents want this for their kids but lack the stem background to volunteer to run/teach these groups.
The background that these two teachers per school could give these kids would ensure that these kids had a real chance at TJ merit based admissions and the ones admitted could not just succeed, but excel. Simply giving a poor kid a 6 week TJ test prep class in 7th grade isn’t enough in 2020. I know that means investing $200K per school (2 teacher salaries/benefits and say $5K year in fees/supplies ), but how much have other programs like Young Scholars cost? What if this was done at the 10 poorest elementary schools, plus 2 poorest middle schools? The cost is ~$ 2.4 million per year. The long term benefits could be huge.
In my opinion, wealthy parents would love to see schools like TJ torn down. The only kids who got this type education in the 80’s were rich private school kids. Now there are so many specialty high schools, many private schools want to go to no SAT/ACT/AP/ect. for top collage admission. In my opinion,
many public students from schools like TJ outperform their private school counterparts. Please don’t tear down TJ.
You wrongly assume it's about merit. It isn't. It's about test prepping every day for years. That's how Asians beat out everyone else.
Anonymous
08/21/2020 06:32
Subject: Re:Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:No the point is the majority of AAP kids are fine in the regular classroom AAP is a bloated joke 15-20%+ and again used too much by pushy parents to get away from normal and poor kids
G&T should be actual G&T for the top 1-2% max.
+1
I grew up poor and now have a daughter at TJ. She loves it there. There are a few frustrating things, but overall loves it. In my opinion, TJ should be merit only admissions. There are other solutions to help get better racial diversity.
Just an idea: What if FCPS put in each elementary school with the highest numbers of free/reduced lunch 2 full time teachers with STEM backgrounds whose job was ONLY to run free/reduced cost STEM after school activities? These teachers would work from 3-9pm. For instance, 45 minute math classes grouped on ability, not age, going over more challenging math starting in 2nd grade and material needed for AMC8/Math Counts for older/more advanced kids. These two teachers could do Science Olympiad starting with 3/4 grade in A level and B level for 5/6th grade..Java/Python/ASCL taught for 5/6th grade grouped on advanced ability, scratch for beginner kids. There are many other STEM activities that could be done, like Quiz Bowl or any number of small engineering build projects. Having a student participate in activities like this will build up their stem background, math ability, reading level, and problem solving. Many wealthier FCPS elementary schools have a parent run system like this. However, in a poor elementary school it’s unrealistic to think a household with adults working 2 jobs each can volunteer the hours needed. Many of these parents want this for their kids but lack the stem background to volunteer to run/teach these groups.
The background that these two teachers per school could give these kids would ensure that these kids had a real chance at TJ merit based admissions and the ones admitted could not just succeed, but excel. Simply giving a poor kid a 6 week TJ test prep class in 7th grade isn’t enough in 2020. I know that means investing $200K per school (2 teacher salaries/benefits and say $5K year in fees/supplies ), but how much have other programs like Young Scholars cost? What if this was done at the 10 poorest elementary schools, plus 2 poorest middle schools? The cost is ~$ 2.4 million per year. The long term benefits could be huge.
In my opinion, wealthy parents would love to see schools like TJ torn down. The only kids who got this type education in the 80’s were rich private school kids. Now there are so many specialty high schools, many private schools want to go to no SAT/ACT/AP/ect. for top collage admission. In my opinion,
many public students from schools like TJ outperform their private school counterparts. Please don’t tear down TJ.
Anonymous
08/20/2020 10:05
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So again parents are mad that 15-20% get something that your kid doesn't so blow it up?
People are mad for 2 main reasons
People with actual gifted kids are mad because AAP is still too slow
SJW/woke people are made because pushy parents can almost force their kid into AAP via appeals to get away from poorer browner people
I actually agree with both
AAP aka G&T should be for the top 1-2% aka the actual gifted not just if your child is smart
Sucking out all the smart kids out of the gen ed classrooms isn't fair to teachers or other students.
Teachers should be able to differentiate two standard deviations above or below the mean for their classroom. For the kids outside that range they need extra help or extra acceleration beyond what a typical classroom can support.
I do agree that AAP is too slow (at least for my child). I wouldnt mind keeping it at the top 2% of scorers on the CogAT and leave out all the other assessments. That would benefit our child. BUT I also don't blame parents of smart kids that score at the 3-20% range who are trying to get their child away from general ed. I volunteered in my child's 2nd grade class... and I get it. Its not the PC thing to say but in reality every parent wants to do what is best for their child. No one is going to voluntarily sacrifice their child's education for the sake of others.
We still supplement our child's education, even with AAP because its just not advanced enough in math, even a grade level above.
Anonymous
08/20/2020 09:47
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:So again parents are mad that 15-20% get something that your kid doesn't so blow it up?
People are mad for 2 main reasons
People with actual gifted kids are mad because AAP is still too slow
SJW/woke people are made because pushy parents can almost force their kid into AAP via appeals to get away from poorer browner people
I actually agree with both
AAP aka G&T should be for the top 1-2% aka the actual gifted not just if your child is smart
Sucking out all the smart kids out of the gen ed classrooms isn't fair to teachers or other students.
Teachers should be able to differentiate two standard deviations above or below the mean for their classroom. For the kids outside that range they need extra help or extra acceleration beyond what a typical classroom can support.
Defund AAP, equity for all.
Anonymous
08/20/2020 09:39
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:So again parents are mad that 15-20% get something that your kid doesn't so blow it up?
People are mad for 2 main reasons
People with actual gifted kids are mad because AAP is still too slow
SJW/woke people are made because pushy parents can almost force their kid into AAP via appeals to get away from poorer browner people
I actually agree with both
AAP aka G&T should be for the top 1-2% aka the actual gifted not just if your child is smart
Sucking out all the smart kids out of the gen ed classrooms isn't fair to teachers or other students.
Teachers should be able to differentiate two standard deviations above or below the mean for their classroom. For the kids outside that range they need extra help or extra acceleration beyond what a typical classroom can support.
Anonymous
08/20/2020 08:25
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
So again parents are mad that 15-20% get something that your kid doesn't so blow it up?
Anonymous
08/20/2020 08:22
Subject: Re:Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
No the point is the majority of AAP kids are fine in the regular classroom AAP is a bloated joke 15-20%+ and again used too much by pushy parents to get away from normal and poor kids
G&T should be actual G&T for the top 1-2% max.
G&T should be actual G&T for the top 1-2% max.
Anonymous
08/20/2020 06:47
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I dont like the use of the word dumb with kids but parents need to recognize that not all kids are gifted or advanced. Some are average and that is okay. I have 1 who is gifted and 1 who likely will not test into AAP when the time comes. I would never deprive the gifted kid opportunities because their sibling may not get into those classes. This idea that everyone has to be pulled down for the sake of "fairness" is silly and will only drive people out of FCPS. I certainly know if the standards are lowered any further or if the AAP classes "dumbed down," we will pull our gifted kid for other schooling opportunities.
yup a gifted program should be for the top 5% max not the close to 20% joke that AAP is
So.. you will not be jealous if it benefits 5% of the students but will be because it benefits another 15%?!?Scratching my head here.. I bet you didn't qualify for AAP..
huh? I want an actual gifted program not something that pushy motivated parents can manipulate to get away from the normals and the poors
Instead why not advocate for a true GT program in addition to a program that can meet the needs of the next 15-20%?
Because a well run school district should be able to meet the needs of the students in the regular classroom with specialized programs to meet the needs of the gifted and those struggling.
That is what FCPS does. Some people are mad that their kids aren't getting certain services but their kid may not need that service. No need to be jealous about it.
The state is not responsible for raising children for parents. At some point parents have to be actively involved in their kid's education. There is no way around that.
Anonymous
08/20/2020 05:41
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I dont like the use of the word dumb with kids but parents need to recognize that not all kids are gifted or advanced. Some are average and that is okay. I have 1 who is gifted and 1 who likely will not test into AAP when the time comes. I would never deprive the gifted kid opportunities because their sibling may not get into those classes. This idea that everyone has to be pulled down for the sake of "fairness" is silly and will only drive people out of FCPS. I certainly know if the standards are lowered any further or if the AAP classes "dumbed down," we will pull our gifted kid for other schooling opportunities.
yup a gifted program should be for the top 5% max not the close to 20% joke that AAP is
So.. you will not be jealous if it benefits 5% of the students but will be because it benefits another 15%?!?
huh? I want an actual gifted program not something that pushy motivated parents can manipulate to get away from the normals and the poors
Instead why not advocate for a true GT program in addition to a program that can meet the needs of the next 15-20%?
Because a well run school district should be able to meet the needs of the students in the regular classroom with specialized programs to meet the needs of the gifted and those struggling.
Anonymous
08/19/2020 22:41
Subject: Re:Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Oh sh!t. I screwed up on that last post. That was directed at the number of #1 rankings.
Anonymous
08/19/2020 22:39
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:[
huh? I want an actual gifted program not something that pushy motivated parents can manipulate to get away from the normals and the poors
Wow. DCUM is getting even more pathetic than usual.
Anonymous
08/19/2020 22:00
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I dont like the use of the word dumb with kids but parents need to recognize that not all kids are gifted or advanced. Some are average and that is okay. I have 1 who is gifted and 1 who likely will not test into AAP when the time comes. I would never deprive the gifted kid opportunities because their sibling may not get into those classes. This idea that everyone has to be pulled down for the sake of "fairness" is silly and will only drive people out of FCPS. I certainly know if the standards are lowered any further or if the AAP classes "dumbed down," we will pull our gifted kid for other schooling opportunities.
yup a gifted program should be for the top 5% max not the close to 20% joke that AAP is
So.. you will not be jealous if it benefits 5% of the students but will be because it benefits another 15%?!?
huh? I want an actual gifted program not something that pushy motivated parents can manipulate to get away from the normals and the poors
Instead why not advocate for a true GT program in addition to a program that can meet the needs of the next 15-20%?
Anonymous
08/19/2020 20:54
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Let's keep the number 1 school in the country.
Let’s lose that silly mindset. Any number of jurisdictions would have a higher ranked school than TJ if they put all their eggs in one basket.
Oh really - which jurisdictions?
Huh??? You think TJ always rank #1? This is only the 2nd time TJ is ranked#1.
Key word: Rank
TJ has been ranked number one for many more years than two.
Nope
Anonymous
08/19/2020 18:57
Subject: Northam’s “Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant” School Initiative
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I dont like the use of the word dumb with kids but parents need to recognize that not all kids are gifted or advanced. Some are average and that is okay. I have 1 who is gifted and 1 who likely will not test into AAP when the time comes. I would never deprive the gifted kid opportunities because their sibling may not get into those classes. This idea that everyone has to be pulled down for the sake of "fairness" is silly and will only drive people out of FCPS. I certainly know if the standards are lowered any further or if the AAP classes "dumbed down," we will pull our gifted kid for other schooling opportunities.
yup a gifted program should be for the top 5% max not the close to 20% joke that AAP is
So.. you will not be jealous if it benefits 5% of the students but will be because it benefits another 15%?!?
huh? I want an actual gifted program not something that pushy motivated parents can manipulate to get away from the normals and the poors