Anonymous wrote:OP here- to all the kind hearted, generous of spirit parents who shared their wisdom, experience and thoughts- I thank you. Whether your experience was last year or a decade ago, I appreciate hearing your thoughts (I still think the program "means something" and can't imagine how you "prep"- but I valued your experience and willingness to share it). Where your intention was to help and share - thank you. To those who question my motives or intentions because of the way I framed a question or the word choices I made, I'm sorry to say that you are giving me way too much credit. My words were nowhere near that deliberate or well thought out. I was a mom struggling (as I mentioned) and reached out to vent and probably ask for help. Thanks for proving my point though. You'll be happy to know I chose the center school. Just as those moms I mentioned in my original post were thrilled to hear all those years ago that I did, in fact, quit breast feeding when it felt unworkable. Let the stoning begin!

Anonymous wrote:

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.


+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

Exactly. No prep at all. For the record, I did prep her for SAT. I bought her a study guide. I think she spent a couple of hours with it over a few months. She did great!

Anonymous wrote:OP here- to all the kind hearted, generous of spirit parents who shared their wisdom, experience and thoughts- I thank you. Whether your experience was last year or a decade ago, I appreciate hearing your thoughts (I still think the program "means something" and can't imagine how you "prep"- but I valued your experience and willingness to share it). Where your intention was to help and share - thank you. To those who question my motives or intentions because of the way I framed a question or the word choices I made, I'm sorry to say that you are giving me way too much credit. My words were nowhere near that deliberate or well thought out. I was a mom struggling (as I mentioned) and reached out to vent and probably ask for help. Thanks for proving my point though. You'll be happy to know I chose the center school. Just as those moms I mentioned in my original post were thrilled to hear all those years ago that I did, in fact, quit breast feeding when it felt unworkable. Let the stoning begin!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

There may be some of those--heck, they may make up half the population, for all I know. But, I assure you, gifted children continue to exist in the county. It's interesting that the OP was accused of being provocative when the statement I have bolded is unquestionably provocative on an AAP board.

OP, my answer to your question is: it's ugly here because it's an Internet message board. Those from the Glory Days of GT would have seen the same level of ugliness had people been able to follow along all day and post instantaneously from their smartphones back then.

I highly doubt that. GT was understood to be a necessary program for kids who actually did need a different learning environment. I don't recall anyone having a problem with that, as most kids were in general ed. and there wasn't this very blatant, often arbitrary divide. And as far as the bolded statement, above, being seen as inflammatory by you, I'm wondering why ridiculous statements like "the peer group is what makes the difference" or "Gen Ed is so slow" are never called out. Those are just two examples of the plentiful and decidedly provocative comments seen on this forum all the time. But somehow they are acceptable?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

There may be some of those--heck, they may make up half the population, for all I know. But, I assure you, gifted children continue to exist in the county. It's interesting that the OP was accused of being provocative when the statement I have bolded is unquestionably provocative on an AAP board.

OP, my answer to your question is: it's ugly here because it's an Internet message board. Those from the Glory Days of GT would have seen the same level of ugliness had people been able to follow along all day and post instantaneously from their smartphones back then.

Anonymous wrote:I think "struggling with decision" might be what prompts those who have BTDT to chime in, PP. My two cents would be a bright child who is motivated will do well anywhere, so if he/she is happy at their base school there are a lot of advantages to going to school in your own neighborhood. I knew a lot of kids who qualified for GT/AAP and stayed at our base school for those reasons.

"why so ugly here?" on the other hand, is provocative, and almost designed to draw people who don't like AAP to defend their positions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

When you made the decision SOLs were not such a big part- they were non-existent or in their infancy. Class sizes were smaller too. Quite a bit has changed in the past 15+ years. I don't think your experience is as relevant as you seem to think it is. Your post only talked about your one child and her experience -not of any other children you may or may not have.

NP here. I had same experience as PP seven years ago when AAP was still GT and my child was referred by the AART to the program with near perfect scores on all tests (unprepped), presumably high GBRS and not one finger lifted by me to get child in. To all involved it wasn't even a question. Reading these forums today, that often seems to be more the exception.

The county has been using the term "AAP" since 2004 at the very latest (very, very easy to look this up). So your seven-year statement doesn't add up...just one of many inconsistencies when the detractors swoop in to tell their stories (and I'd estimate about 75% of them are indeed stories, not facts).

I normally ignore the trolls, but I do like catching them on blatant lies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.


+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.

+ 200. I remember the days of GT (I have a high schooler as well as an elementary aged child). GT didn't cause the problems that AAP has. It was a very small program, for only the brightest of the bright, not kids who were a little advanced, but basically average. The whole system made a lot more sense than dividing kids into two very similar and overlapping groups.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

When you made the decision SOLs were not such a big part- they were non-existent or in their infancy. Class sizes were smaller too. Quite a bit has changed in the past 15+ years. I don't think your experience is as relevant as you seem to think it is. Your post only talked about your one child and her experience -not of any other children you may or may not have.

NP here. I had same experience as PP seven years ago when AAP was still GT and my child was referred by the AART to the program with near perfect scores on all tests (unprepped), presumably high GBRS and not one finger lifted by me to get child in. To all involved it wasn't even a question. Reading these forums today, that often seems to be more the exception.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. You obviously don't want to hear from the voice of experience. Has it occurred to you that I may have other children?

The question at hand was from a parent who wanted to hear about the experience of others. For the record, I made the decision when the program was much more selective--therefore, my child's scores were probably much higher than those being discussed here.

+100 You probably didn't prep your child either.