Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be snarky, or whatever, but if you don't have a gifted child or work with gifted kids, you really aren't in a position to dictate what gifted kids need. Truly gifted kids do have special social, emotional, and educational needs that are not met in a Gen Ed classroom.

I am the parent of two gifted children and this is BS. Some gifted children have special social and emotional needs, just like the rest of the population. THis is snowflake thinking.

Then your DCs are smart, not gifted. There is a difference, and, yes, AAP screening has trouble making the distinction.

Nice definition. How convenient for you. Back it up with some science and we can talk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think instead of chopping AAP centers, the local school level III, II, I should be chopped.. Does high school have AAP centers ? . We have so many AAP teachers scattered in all the these base schools , which is waste of money.

All the AAP center school could really have truly gifted students thats it end of the story. only top 1-5 % from all base schools, with emphasis on STEM.. These could be like mini TJ schools, which cater to the truly gifted..

"Truly gifted" kids in most other jurisdictions aren't shipped off to centers and do just fine. Centers should be cut and the teachers can differentiate as appropriate for the gifted kids. Fairfax County has become this crazy place where people think that without AAP and TJ kids will be total failures. I'm not sure how people from other parts of the country manage to get jobs without AAP and TJ. And before I get accused of being a bitter parent whose kids didn't get into AAP, I have two kids in AAP. I think centers are completely unnecessary, and the focus should be on improving the academics at the base schools. My kids' base school has no level IV, and does a poor job differentiating in the gen ed classrooms, so I send my kids to the center. I would way prefer a better gen ed curriculum at the base school than busing them to a center. Unfortunately the AAP craziness is too engrained in FCPS so centers aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

You are so right. People use the excuse that families will leave FCPS if centers are cut. That's just not the case. People will adjust just fine, just as they have to other changes FCPS has made. Most will stay and insist FCPS get its act together and improve the curriculum for all students, which would be a huge accomplishment.

And what happens to the truly 1-3%-ers that most likely won't get what they need from teachers trying to differentiate in a gen ed classroom? These kids are just as much in need of special ed as the other ed of the special ed spectrum. The base schools don't seem to be able to deliver that service even in our base school that offers LIV services.

You do what we do. Supplement supplement supplement. We have a child who is in the 1% AND has LDs and a few other things. Don't be so quick to ask for special ed designation. It isn't what you think it is. If you think the law is the floor for services, think again. It is the ceiling. BTDTGTT and the PTSD.

My DD is in the top 1% and she deserves an education just like every otter kid. We do supplement but why should my child sit for 8 hours a day waiting for your child to "get" a concept in order to move on to more material. She's been told she can't ask the questions she wants to ask and have conversations with the teachers about the material being covered because they are too busy with the rest of the class. So, she brings in books to read and that's what the majority of her day consisted of before 3rd grade. It is a ridiculous waste of her time and a huge frustration to the teachers.

I have another child that is too young for aap, but I don't think he will need it. He's a smart kid and a hard worker, but learns very traditionally and the classes have been great for him so far. Maybe because I have two kids that are very different in the way and speed that they learn and how they comprehend material, I see the real need for "something else" for kids like her. If they cut the centers I hope that they figure out a way to create the atmosphere and teaching style that we currently see in our center.

Sorry your snowflake would have to sit there all day while slower kids get the concept. Poor baby. I have a dyslexic child (who, by the way, scores in the superior range on IQ tests). The school hasn't even bothered to teach her to read. I had to pay $1000 per month for outside tutoring -- and she has a reading disability recognized by federal law and required to be remediated under the IDEA. If you think your child might be bored and need special ed, then you can pay to get outside help like the rest of the special ed parents. Ask virtually any parent of a child with dyslexia, we all pay for outside help.

This isn't true in our base school. There are services for kids with dyslexia and a host of other LDs. What county are you in? We've only been in Fairfax and my neighbors/friends' kids with LDs are getting amazing services from what they tell me. Not sure why your child isn't getting what she needs, but that's no reason to "nanny-nanny-boo-boo" MY kid isn't getting what she needs at school so YOUR kid shouldn't either. That's ridiculous. This thread was about cutting app centers and for one of my children I think it would be disastrous. That is what I have been commenting about.

My child doesn't have any learning disabilities, but gen ed doesn't serve her, her teachers, or the other students any good. She goes so fast and in depth that the teachers can't keep up with her and teach the regular curriculum. I stated before i have another child who is bright but not gifted. I wouldn't want a child like my DD in a class with my youngest. They learn at very different speeds and in very different ways.

He followed the traditional path in learning to read. She just started reading all on her own at 3. Chapter books by early 4 (ex. judy blume). Doing double digit multiplication and division in her head at 4 and 5. She's not a genius, but she only needs to see most concepts once and she gets it. The repetition in gen ed kills her so she draws, reads, or tries talking to the teacher or classmates about anything and everything (which is not reasonable in a classroom every day.)

Why should my daughter go to school every day and just sit there? That's what happened in first and most of second grade. The first grade teacher actually thought she should fail first grade because she wasn't doing the work in class (there was almost no homework so that wasn't an issue). She would do some of the assignment, get bored and start doing something else. I don't blame her. Would you like to sit at a desk for 6 hours/day and do worksheet after worksheet of single-digit addition and writing out simple sentences. I wouldn't so why should she when she's well past that.

There are a host of social issues because these kids are not her peers academically, so playing games, working on assignments together, etc are really tough. Again, I wouldn't want to repeatedly play a game that wasn't challenging at all.

Your child deserves the support and services that she needs just like my child. In my case the service exists and is in jeopardy of being taken away. I hope that doesn't happen. My DD falls into a category of gifted kids that statistically drop out of school and abuse drugs/alcohol if they don't remain engaged and challenged in school. I'm not sure how I'm not supposed to worry about this.

I hope your child gets the services that she deserves because I do believe that all kids deserve to get a proper education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be snarky, or whatever, but if you don't have a gifted child or work with gifted kids, you really aren't in a position to dictate what gifted kids need. Truly gifted kids do have special social, emotional, and educational needs that are not met in a Gen Ed classroom.

I am the parent of two gifted children and this is BS. Some gifted children have special social and emotional needs, just like the rest of the population. THis is snowflake thinking.

Then your DCs are smart, not gifted. There is a difference, and, yes, AAP screening has trouble making the distinction.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think instead of chopping AAP centers, the local school level III, II, I should be chopped.. Does high school have AAP centers ? . We have so many AAP teachers scattered in all the these base schools , which is waste of money.

All the AAP center school could really have truly gifted students thats it end of the story. only top 1-5 % from all base schools, with emphasis on STEM.. These could be like mini TJ schools, which cater to the truly gifted..

"Truly gifted" kids in most other jurisdictions aren't shipped off to centers and do just fine. Centers should be cut and the teachers can differentiate as appropriate for the gifted kids. Fairfax County has become this crazy place where people think that without AAP and TJ kids will be total failures. I'm not sure how people from other parts of the country manage to get jobs without AAP and TJ. And before I get accused of being a bitter parent whose kids didn't get into AAP, I have two kids in AAP. I think centers are completely unnecessary, and the focus should be on improving the academics at the base schools. My kids' base school has no level IV, and does a poor job differentiating in the gen ed classrooms, so I send my kids to the center. I would way prefer a better gen ed curriculum at the base school than busing them to a center. Unfortunately the AAP craziness is too engrained in FCPS so centers aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

You are so right. People use the excuse that families will leave FCPS if centers are cut. That's just not the case. People will adjust just fine, just as they have to other changes FCPS has made. Most will stay and insist FCPS get its act together and improve the curriculum for all students, which would be a huge accomplishment.

And what happens to the truly 1-3%-ers that most likely won't get what they need from teachers trying to differentiate in a gen ed classroom? These kids are just as much in need of special ed as the other ed of the special ed spectrum. The base schools don't seem to be able to deliver that service even in our base school that offers LIV services.

You do what we do. Supplement supplement supplement. We have a child who is in the 1% AND has LDs and a few other things. Don't be so quick to ask for special ed designation. It isn't what you think it is. If you think the law is the floor for services, think again. It is the ceiling. BTDTGTT and the PTSD.

My DD is in the top 1% and she deserves an education just like every otter kid. We do supplement but why should my child sit for 8 hours a day waiting for your child to "get" a concept in order to move on to more material. She's been told she can't ask the questions she wants to ask and have conversations with the teachers about the material being covered because they are too busy with the rest of the class. So, she brings in books to read and that's what the majority of her day consisted of before 3rd grade. It is a ridiculous waste of her time and a huge frustration to the teachers.

I have another child that is too young for aap, but I don't think he will need it. He's a smart kid and a hard worker, but learns very traditionally and the classes have been great for him so far. Maybe because I have two kids that are very different in the way and speed that they learn and how they comprehend material, I see the real need for "something else" for kids like her. If they cut the centers I hope that they figure out a way to create the atmosphere and teaching style that we currently see in our center.

Sorry your snowflake would have to sit there all day while slower kids get the concept. Poor baby. I have a dyslexic child (who, by the way, scores in the superior range on IQ tests). The school hasn't even bothered to teach her to read. I had to pay $1000 per month for outside tutoring -- and she has a reading disability recognized by federal law and required to be remediated under the IDEA. If you think your child might be bored and need special ed, then you can pay to get outside help like the rest of the special ed parents. Ask virtually any parent of a child with dyslexia, we all pay for outside help.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be snarky, or whatever, but if you don't have a gifted child or work with gifted kids, you really aren't in a position to dictate what gifted kids need. Truly gifted kids do have special social, emotional, and educational needs that are not met in a Gen Ed classroom.

I am the parent of two gifted children and this is BS. Some gifted children have special social and emotional needs, just like the rest of the population. THis is snowflake thinking.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to be snarky, or whatever, but if you don't have a gifted child or work with gifted kids, you really aren't in a position to dictate what gifted kids need. Truly gifted kids do have special social, emotional, and educational needs that are not met in a Gen Ed classroom.

Thank you for stating that and understanding. It's frustrating because everyone thinks their kid is gifted, but it's not as easy as you think. My child has had other issues to deal with that most people don't understand. My other child, who is smart and NOT gifted, is so much easier in terms of school, social activities, etc.

I read it many times and then experienced it - a much happier child once she went to aap with other kids "like her" and teachers that understand and engage her.

I'm not trying to be snarky, or whatever, but if you don't have a gifted child or work with gifted kids, you really aren't in a position to dictate what gifted kids need. Truly gifted kids do have special social, emotional, and educational needs that are not met in a Gen Ed classroom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think instead of chopping AAP centers, the local school level III, II, I should be chopped.. Does high school have AAP centers ? . We have so many AAP teachers scattered in all the these base schools , which is waste of money.

All the AAP center school could really have truly gifted students thats it end of the story. only top 1-5 % from all base schools, with emphasis on STEM.. These could be like mini TJ schools, which cater to the truly gifted..

"Truly gifted" kids in most other jurisdictions aren't shipped off to centers and do just fine. Centers should be cut and the teachers can differentiate as appropriate for the gifted kids. Fairfax County has become this crazy place where people think that without AAP and TJ kids will be total failures. I'm not sure how people from other parts of the country manage to get jobs without AAP and TJ. And before I get accused of being a bitter parent whose kids didn't get into AAP, I have two kids in AAP. I think centers are completely unnecessary, and the focus should be on improving the academics at the base schools. My kids' base school has no level IV, and does a poor job differentiating in the gen ed classrooms, so I send my kids to the center. I would way prefer a better gen ed curriculum at the base school than busing them to a center. Unfortunately the AAP craziness is too engrained in FCPS so centers aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

You are so right. People use the excuse that families will leave FCPS if centers are cut. That's just not the case. People will adjust just fine, just as they have to other changes FCPS has made. Most will stay and insist FCPS get its act together and improve the curriculum for all students, which would be a huge accomplishment.

And what happens to the truly 1-3%-ers that most likely won't get what they need from teachers trying to differentiate in a gen ed classroom? These kids are just as much in need of special ed as the other ed of the special ed spectrum. The base schools don't seem to be able to deliver that service even in our base school that offers LIV services.

You do what we do. Supplement supplement supplement. We have a child who is in the 1% AND has LDs and a few other things. Don't be so quick to ask for special ed designation. It isn't what you think it is. If you think the law is the floor for services, think again. It is the ceiling. BTDTGTT and the PTSD.

My DD is in the top 1% and she deserves an education just like every otter kid. We do supplement but why should my child sit for 8 hours a day waiting for your child to "get" a concept in order to move on to more material. She's been told she can't ask the questions she wants to ask and have conversations with the teachers about the material being covered because they are too busy with the rest of the class. So, she brings in books to read and that's what the majority of her day consisted of before 3rd grade. It is a ridiculous waste of her time and a huge frustration to the teachers.

I have another child that is too young for aap, but I don't think he will need it. He's a smart kid and a hard worker, but learns very traditionally and the classes have been great for him so far. Maybe because I have two kids that are very different in the way and speed that they learn and how they comprehend material, I see the real need for "something else" for kids like her. If they cut the centers I hope that they figure out a way to create the atmosphere and teaching style that we currently see in our center.

I agree, your DC deserves it, but this isn't the reality. My DC is also in the 1% with LDs and other things and it is a hard slog to get the services he "deserves". many of which are private funded by us. Live in a dream world if you want. I work and advocate for the dream, but I make decision in the real world. You cannot rely on the public school system to do everything. That is the reality.

This is not the case in my school. I'm close friends with several parents who have kids with LDs that are recieving the appropriate amount of special needs accommodations. They are very pleased with the services they receiving. Why shouldn't my child deserve the same accommodations.

The reality right now is that she is receiving these services through the center school. If they cut those, the base school should be required to provide the same level of services she was receiving before.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think instead of chopping AAP centers, the local school level III, II, I should be chopped.. Does high school have AAP centers ? . We have so many AAP teachers scattered in all the these base schools , which is waste of money.

All the AAP center school could really have truly gifted students thats it end of the story. only top 1-5 % from all base schools, with emphasis on STEM.. These could be like mini TJ schools, which cater to the truly gifted..

"Truly gifted" kids in most other jurisdictions aren't shipped off to centers and do just fine. Centers should be cut and the teachers can differentiate as appropriate for the gifted kids. Fairfax County has become this crazy place where people think that without AAP and TJ kids will be total failures. I'm not sure how people from other parts of the country manage to get jobs without AAP and TJ. And before I get accused of being a bitter parent whose kids didn't get into AAP, I have two kids in AAP. I think centers are completely unnecessary, and the focus should be on improving the academics at the base schools. My kids' base school has no level IV, and does a poor job differentiating in the gen ed classrooms, so I send my kids to the center. I would way prefer a better gen ed curriculum at the base school than busing them to a center. Unfortunately the AAP craziness is too engrained in FCPS so centers aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

You are so right. People use the excuse that families will leave FCPS if centers are cut. That's just not the case. People will adjust just fine, just as they have to other changes FCPS has made. Most will stay and insist FCPS get its act together and improve the curriculum for all students, which would be a huge accomplishment.

And what happens to the truly 1-3%-ers that most likely won't get what they need from teachers trying to differentiate in a gen ed classroom? These kids are just as much in need of special ed as the other ed of the special ed spectrum. The base schools don't seem to be able to deliver that service even in our base school that offers LIV services.

Because no one will argue against the bottom 2% of kids, in terms of IQ, needing special accommodation-- that would make them look like an asshole. But if parents say that their child in the top 2% needs accommodation -- well, everyone loves to make snarky comments about that. It's apparently unimaginable that kids at the top of the bell curve really need support, just like kids at the bottom. Or it's more PC to bash AAP than other special Ed programs. Smh

Perhaps that's because AAP is NOT A SPECIAL ED PROGRAM. Sure, there may be some kids with special needs or LD in AAP, but the program as a whole isn't special education and should not be administered as such. Parents who insist that it is need to realize that FCPS isn't a private school focused only on the needs of their AAP kids.

You're WRONG. All of the aap teachers at my child's school have a master's in special ed. My child does not have any LDs, just top percentile for IQ. She is considered special needs academically.

Anonymous wrote:This.

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/12/gifted-students-have-special-needs-too/266544/

And this.

http://www.cbv.ns.ca/giftededucation/modules/mastop_publish/?tac=Ten_Things_to_Know_About_Gifted_Students

Gotta love how people who don't have gifted kids (including people who have smart kids who aren't gifted) seem to feel that they know what gifted kids need to succeed. My child is as entitled to a FAPE as a child on the opposite end of the intellectual spectrum.

And you have it with AAP.

This.

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/12/gifted-students-have-special-needs-too/266544/

And this.

http://www.cbv.ns.ca/giftededucation/modules/mastop_publish/?tac=Ten_Things_to_Know_About_Gifted_Students

Gotta love how people who don't have gifted kids (including people who have smart kids who aren't gifted) seem to feel that they know what gifted kids need to succeed. My child is as entitled to a FAPE as a child on the opposite end of the intellectual spectrum.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think instead of chopping AAP centers, the local school level III, II, I should be chopped.. Does high school have AAP centers ? . We have so many AAP teachers scattered in all the these base schools , which is waste of money.

All the AAP center school could really have truly gifted students thats it end of the story. only top 1-5 % from all base schools, with emphasis on STEM.. These could be like mini TJ schools, which cater to the truly gifted..

"Truly gifted" kids in most other jurisdictions aren't shipped off to centers and do just fine. Centers should be cut and the teachers can differentiate as appropriate for the gifted kids. Fairfax County has become this crazy place where people think that without AAP and TJ kids will be total failures. I'm not sure how people from other parts of the country manage to get jobs without AAP and TJ. And before I get accused of being a bitter parent whose kids didn't get into AAP, I have two kids in AAP. I think centers are completely unnecessary, and the focus should be on improving the academics at the base schools. My kids' base school has no level IV, and does a poor job differentiating in the gen ed classrooms, so I send my kids to the center. I would way prefer a better gen ed curriculum at the base school than busing them to a center. Unfortunately the AAP craziness is too engrained in FCPS so centers aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

You are so right. People use the excuse that families will leave FCPS if centers are cut. That's just not the case. People will adjust just fine, just as they have to other changes FCPS has made. Most will stay and insist FCPS get its act together and improve the curriculum for all students, which would be a huge accomplishment.

And what happens to the truly 1-3%-ers that most likely won't get what they need from teachers trying to differentiate in a gen ed classroom? These kids are just as much in need of special ed as the other ed of the special ed spectrum. The base schools don't seem to be able to deliver that service even in our base school that offers LIV services.

You do what we do. Supplement supplement supplement. We have a child who is in the 1% AND has LDs and a few other things. Don't be so quick to ask for special ed designation. It isn't what you think it is. If you think the law is the floor for services, think again. It is the ceiling. BTDTGTT and the PTSD.

My DD is in the top 1% and she deserves an education just like every otter kid. We do supplement but why should my child sit for 8 hours a day waiting for your child to "get" a concept in order to move on to more material. She's been told she can't ask the questions she wants to ask and have conversations with the teachers about the material being covered because they are too busy with the rest of the class. So, she brings in books to read and that's what the majority of her day consisted of before 3rd grade. It is a ridiculous waste of her time and a huge frustration to the teachers.

I have another child that is too young for aap, but I don't think he will need it. He's a smart kid and a hard worker, but learns very traditionally and the classes have been great for him so far. Maybe because I have two kids that are very different in the way and speed that they learn and how they comprehend material, I see the real need for "something else" for kids like her. If they cut the centers I hope that they figure out a way to create the atmosphere and teaching style that we currently see in our center.

I agree, your DC deserves it, but this isn't the reality. My DC is also in the 1% with LDs and other things and it is a hard slog to get the services he "deserves". many of which are private funded by us. Live in a dream world if you want. I work and advocate for the dream, but I make decision in the real world. You cannot rely on the public school system to do everything. That is the reality.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think instead of chopping AAP centers, the local school level III, II, I should be chopped.. Does high school have AAP centers ? . We have so many AAP teachers scattered in all the these base schools , which is waste of money.

All the AAP center school could really have truly gifted students thats it end of the story. only top 1-5 % from all base schools, with emphasis on STEM.. These could be like mini TJ schools, which cater to the truly gifted..

"Truly gifted" kids in most other jurisdictions aren't shipped off to centers and do just fine. Centers should be cut and the teachers can differentiate as appropriate for the gifted kids. Fairfax County has become this crazy place where people think that without AAP and TJ kids will be total failures. I'm not sure how people from other parts of the country manage to get jobs without AAP and TJ. And before I get accused of being a bitter parent whose kids didn't get into AAP, I have two kids in AAP. I think centers are completely unnecessary, and the focus should be on improving the academics at the base schools. My kids' base school has no level IV, and does a poor job differentiating in the gen ed classrooms, so I send my kids to the center. I would way prefer a better gen ed curriculum at the base school than busing them to a center. Unfortunately the AAP craziness is too engrained in FCPS so centers aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

You are so right. People use the excuse that families will leave FCPS if centers are cut. That's just not the case. People will adjust just fine, just as they have to other changes FCPS has made. Most will stay and insist FCPS get its act together and improve the curriculum for all students, which would be a huge accomplishment.

And what happens to the truly 1-3%-ers that most likely won't get what they need from teachers trying to differentiate in a gen ed classroom? These kids are just as much in need of special ed as the other ed of the special ed spectrum. The base schools don't seem to be able to deliver that service even in our base school that offers LIV services.

Because no one will argue against the bottom 2% of kids, in terms of IQ, needing special accommodation-- that would make them look like an asshole. But if parents say that their child in the top 2% needs accommodation -- well, everyone loves to make snarky comments about that. It's apparently unimaginable that kids at the top of the bell curve really need support, just like kids at the bottom. Or it's more PC to bash AAP than other special Ed programs. Smh

Perhaps that's because AAP is NOT A SPECIAL ED PROGRAM. Sure, there may be some kids with special needs or LD in AAP, but the program as a whole isn't special education and should not be administered as such. Parents who insist that it is need to realize that FCPS isn't a private school focused only on the needs of their AAP kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think instead of chopping AAP centers, the local school level III, II, I should be chopped.. Does high school have AAP centers ? . We have so many AAP teachers scattered in all the these base schools , which is waste of money.

All the AAP center school could really have truly gifted students thats it end of the story. only top 1-5 % from all base schools, with emphasis on STEM.. These could be like mini TJ schools, which cater to the truly gifted..

"Truly gifted" kids in most other jurisdictions aren't shipped off to centers and do just fine. Centers should be cut and the teachers can differentiate as appropriate for the gifted kids. Fairfax County has become this crazy place where people think that without AAP and TJ kids will be total failures. I'm not sure how people from other parts of the country manage to get jobs without AAP and TJ. And before I get accused of being a bitter parent whose kids didn't get into AAP, I have two kids in AAP. I think centers are completely unnecessary, and the focus should be on improving the academics at the base schools. My kids' base school has no level IV, and does a poor job differentiating in the gen ed classrooms, so I send my kids to the center. I would way prefer a better gen ed curriculum at the base school than busing them to a center. Unfortunately the AAP craziness is too engrained in FCPS so centers aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

You are so right. People use the excuse that families will leave FCPS if centers are cut. That's just not the case. People will adjust just fine, just as they have to other changes FCPS has made. Most will stay and insist FCPS get its act together and improve the curriculum for all students, which would be a huge accomplishment.

And what happens to the truly 1-3%-ers that most likely won't get what they need from teachers trying to differentiate in a gen ed classroom? These kids are just as much in need of special ed as the other ed of the special ed spectrum. The base schools don't seem to be able to deliver that service even in our base school that offers LIV services.

You do what we do. Supplement supplement supplement. We have a child who is in the 1% AND has LDs and a few other things. Don't be so quick to ask for special ed designation. It isn't what you think it is. If you think the law is the floor for services, think again. It is the ceiling. BTDTGTT and the PTSD.

My DD is in the top 1% and she deserves an education just like every otter kid. We do supplement but why should my child sit for 8 hours a day waiting for your child to "get" a concept in order to move on to more material. She's been told she can't ask the questions she wants to ask and have conversations with the teachers about the material being covered because they are too busy with the rest of the class. So, she brings in books to read and that's what the majority of her day consisted of before 3rd grade. It is a ridiculous waste of her time and a huge frustration to the teachers.

I have another child that is too young for aap, but I don't think he will need it. He's a smart kid and a hard worker, but learns very traditionally and the classes have been great for him so far. Maybe because I have two kids that are very different in the way and speed that they learn and how they comprehend material, I see the real need for "something else" for kids like her. If they cut the centers I hope that they figure out a way to create the atmosphere and teaching style that we currently see in our center.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think instead of chopping AAP centers, the local school level III, II, I should be chopped.. Does high school have AAP centers ? . We have so many AAP teachers scattered in all the these base schools , which is waste of money.

All the AAP center school could really have truly gifted students thats it end of the story. only top 1-5 % from all base schools, with emphasis on STEM.. These could be like mini TJ schools, which cater to the truly gifted..

"Truly gifted" kids in most other jurisdictions aren't shipped off to centers and do just fine. Centers should be cut and the teachers can differentiate as appropriate for the gifted kids. Fairfax County has become this crazy place where people think that without AAP and TJ kids will be total failures. I'm not sure how people from other parts of the country manage to get jobs without AAP and TJ. And before I get accused of being a bitter parent whose kids didn't get into AAP, I have two kids in AAP. I think centers are completely unnecessary, and the focus should be on improving the academics at the base schools. My kids' base school has no level IV, and does a poor job differentiating in the gen ed classrooms, so I send my kids to the center. I would way prefer a better gen ed curriculum at the base school than busing them to a center. Unfortunately the AAP craziness is too engrained in FCPS so centers aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

You are so right. People use the excuse that families will leave FCPS if centers are cut. That's just not the case. People will adjust just fine, just as they have to other changes FCPS has made. Most will stay and insist FCPS get its act together and improve the curriculum for all students, which would be a huge accomplishment.

And what happens to the truly 1-3%-ers that most likely won't get what they need from teachers trying to differentiate in a gen ed classroom? These kids are just as much in need of special ed as the other ed of the special ed spectrum. The base schools don't seem to be able to deliver that service even in our base school that offers LIV services.

You do what we do. Supplement supplement supplement. We have a child who is in the 1% AND has LDs and a few other things. Don't be so quick to ask for special ed designation. It isn't what you think it is. If you think the law is the floor for services, think again. It is the ceiling. BTDTGTT and the PTSD.