9:29 here to agree with 10:02. You said it much better than me. I shouldn't have phrased it as an entitlement. You know, kids who have special needs go through a similar process to get IEPs, and they often have to appeal (with paid advocates) to get the services they need from the public schools in Fairfax. AAP is the same thing, on the other end of the spectrum. Thanks for putting it so well, 10:02.

Agree with 9:29 but maybe a better way to phrase it is that a child with a high WISC score may be more in NEED of AAP (as opposed to entitled). My DD had very high test scores and lowish GBRS (but did get in first round). I think her performance and comfort in school will improve once she starts the program. In other words, she needs the program to achieve her true potential. Her cousin has been in the AAP for 4 years. He had high GBRS and test scores at the cut off. He certainly was entitled to his GT education, but I also think with his strong work ethic and learning style he would have succeeded equally as well in GE with supplementation. DD on the other hand would likely coast and not achieve her potential.

And . . . no chiild is more entitled to a GT education than the one who has high WISC scores to support their admission. Many of the kids in the initial round get in with lowish groups scores and high (but subjective) GBRS ratings. They would not get in if the process were based on the best predictor of giftedness (WISC-IV).

I agree with the 2 pp thank you all for your support and kind words of wisdom as we sort our way through this appeals process.

Anonymous wrote:Just ignore the pp and let's continue our positive and informative chat about our kids and our aap appeals.I have been learnning so much from several of you and truly appreciate your support.

Me too!!! moral support from many.

Just ignore the pp and let's continue our positive and informative chat about our kids and our aap appeals.I have been learnning so much from several of you and truly appreciate your support.

People on this thread - your sons and daughters didn't make the cut. That's life. What's next - refusing to accept a rejection letter from a college admissions office? Stop wasting the AAP's resources with these pitiful appeals, resources that should be used for the children who rightfully were accepted into the program.

Anonymous wrote:You guys need to get a life. You son/daughter didn't get into G/T. That's life. Is it fair? Maybe, maybe not. It's not a perfect system, though it's partially based on quantiative metrics. The entitlement in Northern Virginia is amazing. If one thinks one's child is "smart", he or she MUST be allowed into the G/T program. News flash - there are plenty of smart kids who don't get into the G/T program and many of them end up going to highly selective colleges and/or doing very well. Get over your vanity and accept whatever the county says. Appealing the decision is a collossal waste of everyone's time.

You need get a life of your own. Stop lurking around this forum if you don't care or don't have anything positive to contribute for appeal process. This forum is for parents looking for information. Just go away.

Anonymous wrote:You guys need to get a life. You son/daughter didn't get into G/T. That's life. Is it fair? Maybe, maybe not. It's not a perfect system, though it's partially based on quantiative metrics. The entitlement in Northern Virginia is amazing. If one thinks one's child is "smart", he or she MUST be allowed into the G/T program. News flash - there are plenty of smart kids who don't get into the G/T program and many of them end up going to highly selective colleges and/or doing very well. Get over your vanity and accept whatever the county says. Appealing the decision is a collossal waste of everyone's time.

Appealing is part of the process. That's by the county. Accept that.

You guys need to get a life. You son/daughter didn't get into G/T. That's life. Is it fair? Maybe, maybe not. It's not a perfect system, though it's partially based on quantiative metrics. The entitlement in Northern Virginia is amazing. If one thinks one's child is "smart", he or she MUST be allowed into the G/T program. News flash - there are plenty of smart kids who don't get into the G/T program and many of them end up going to highly selective colleges and/or doing very well. Get over your vanity and accept whatever the county says. Appealing the decision is a collossal waste of everyone's time.

Welcome to Fairfax County.

Anonymous wrote:That's why it would be so nice if people posted their scores after they get the results. We could have an informal data base to help future generations figure out the system. For what it's worth, my sense is that grades count less than scores/GBRS, but I'll leave that for 13:44, if s/he is still lurking. Hope so, we could use some insider input about now!

Rather than trying to "figure out the black box", why doesn't someone file a Freedom of Information Request and get the written internal material on procedure, policy, etc. of the process? This is no different than any other government agency and there is no "national security" reason for the selection process to be secret. I am surprised that so many people (many of my friends included) would just assume that an arm of the government has the right to administer a publically funded program where the admission process is clouded in ambiguity. Why isn't a PTA or other group representing parents overseeing the admission process? Every applicant who is rejected should have the right to a debriefing and explanation as to why their child was not admitted (or have the right to review the internal scoring data on thier child against the pool of accepted averages/minimums). The admissions committee should be able to demonstrate why a borderline child did not gain admittance and clearly show consistency in their evaluations.

That's why it would be so nice if people posted their scores after they get the results. We could have an informal data base to help future generations figure out the system. For what it's worth, my sense is that grades count less than scores/GBRS, but I'll leave that for 13:44, if s/he is still lurking. Hope so, we could use some insider input about now!

I am curious as well if it is that formulaic. If so, why is it a secret? Why isn't the whole process more transparent?

For example, if the GBRS was 10 and the WISC was 129, it would be a no go? What if the third quarter grades where all O's? What if another appeal package had a GBRS of 12 a WISC of 132 and half O's and G's in the last period? There are many many permutations.

Yes I would be curious to know as well.