If anyone had any question about why people of certain social and economic groups do better on standardized tests, your answer can easily be found in this thread. My DC got in without prep, but I won't hate on those who felt that their kids needed some prep. After all, I'm going to have to deal with you and your kids for the next 6 years at least. The lesson here for all of us is that sometimes working hard (or prepping) takes you farther than just being smart. And to all you preppers, give your kid a break. Don't cause them to end up in the nut house. If they're not into it, stop pushing them so hard and let them just be kids.

Anonymous wrote:If your kids were smart, why doing anything? I did no prep for either test, and even gave a big distraction right before the CogAT (Puppy).

She was accepted into AAP.

Like I said just to make sure? Uncomfortable with the idea of totally not prepared?

If your kids were smart, why doing anything? I did no prep for either test, and even gave a big distraction right before the CogAT (Puppy).

She was accepted into AAP.

So.. how much prepp have you done?

I know my kids are smart. I gave them minimal prepping just to make sure.
I Had them do sample test a couple of times to get familiarize with the types of tests.
They are all in AAP now.

I wouldn't have my kids 'drilling' for admission to AAP though.
I don't know.. if my kids were like borderline ones, then maybe I would have done little more..
I'm just glad my kids are smart ones.

I'm disgusted with the AAP prepping. There was a record number of AAP acceptances this year because of the prepping. And the schools have to figure out how to accommodate all of these kids. The parents who do this are the same ridiculous type A people that red shirt their kids for kindergarten - just so that they can be smarter and better athletes than their peers. And the kids feel so much pressure to achieve and excel, that they too become cheaters - just like their parents.

If these loonies had children that were so smart and gifted; well-rounded and happy, and engrossed in a variety of "worthwhile" activities; they wouldn't be making all this fuss about other parent's children. I have a sneeking suspicion their impression about their own children and their lives are false and not consistent with their haughty claims.

Jealousy and envy is a powerful emotion evoking tremendous defensive behaviors.

There's a lot of space in between kids who are drilling certain types of test questions over and over again and kids who "lie on their basement couches after drugs and play untill past noon." There are lots of kids who pay attention and work hard in school all day and then engage in a plethora of worthwhile after school activities such as music, drama, sports, helping the less fortunate.
It's not a choice between drill test questions for hours or be a druggie. Most parents want a good well-rounded life for their children with a variety of worthwhile activities.

We all understand the psychology of defeat. If you can't beat 'em or lick 'em then acuse them of cheating, drilling, prepping and not being well-rounded. After an academic and intellectual butt-kicking, it is gratifying to rationalize: afterall, "we want a good well-rounded life for our children with a variety of worthwhile activities." I have news for you, being on top and having a well-rounded life with a variety of worthwhile activities are not mutually exclusive. Some choose both. You are in the agonizing throes of defeat and your emotions are natural process on the journey of acceptance and reconciliation.

There's a lot of space in between kids who are drilling certain types of test questions over and over again and kids who "lie on their basement couches after drugs and play untill past noon." There are lots of kids who pay attention and work hard in school all day and then engage in a plethora of worthwhile after school activities such as music, drama, sports, helping the less fortunate.
It's not a choice between drill test questions for hours or be a druggie. Most parents want a good well-rounded life for their children with a variety of worthwhile activities.

There must be a whole lot drilling over and over idiots in the world. I apologise, we can't be all like you...well-rounded, fat and happy.

Surgeons drill over and over again...pilots do the same thing. Golf, soccer, lacrosse, swim, track, basketball, pool, horseback riders drill over and over again. Chess players and writers drill over and over again. Actors, actresses, debaters, MathCount champions drill over and over again. There's a whole lot of drilling going on. Of course, no one is forcing you to go into neurosurgery and you can choose to fly with a pilot blessed with the lack of prep, drill and practise at the art. By your logic, none of these individuals are well-rounded because they have spent a good deal of their lives preparing, drilling over and over, "prepping" their craft.

I think you a jealous and envious because you have contributed nothing to mankind save the illusion of an ever present self-serving need for "well-rounded happiness", albeit, at the expense of others.

I'm disgusted with the AAP prepping. There was a record number of AAP acceptances this year because of the prepping. And the schools have to figure out how to accommodate all of these kids. The parents who do this are the same ridiculous type A people that red shirt their kids for kindergarten - just so that they can be smarter and better athletes than their peers. And the kids feel so much pressure to achieve and excel, that they too become cheaters - just like their parents.

Much nonsense. The schools can simply raise the bar. It's done is sports all the time. The 4 minute mile becomes the new 3 monute 50 second mile. Records continually fall over the centuries over years of physical prepping; the same holds true for mental or intellectual "prepping". Just raise the bar or cut off just like in swimming. A simple solution better than telling kids to stop training because we are all getting too "fast" or too "smart"!

No one here feels pressure? Speak for your kids and yourselves...not others. How can you get into our minds or that of our children's? Know your own mind first.

Anonymous wrote:There's a lot of space in between kids who are drilling certain types of test questions over and over again and kids who "lie on their basement couches after drugs and play untill past noon." There are lots of kids who pay attention and work hard in school all day and then engage in a plethora of worthwhile after school activities such as music, drama, sports, helping the less fortunate.
It's not a choice between drill test questions for hours or be a druggie. Most parents want a good well-rounded life for their children with a variety of worthwhile activities.

+1 Life is not black or white. Do what you think is the best for your kids.

There's a lot of space in between kids who are drilling certain types of test questions over and over again and kids who "lie on their basement couches after drugs and play untill past noon." There are lots of kids who pay attention and work hard in school all day and then engage in a plethora of worthwhile after school activities such as music, drama, sports, helping the less fortunate.
It's not a choice between drill test questions for hours or be a druggie. Most parents want a good well-rounded life for their children with a variety of worthwhile activities.

Only mortal fools would castigate children for developing healthy habits of preparation in life. These parents prefer kids who don't prepare or "prep" but lie on their basement couches after drugs and play untill past noon. These are the kids that don't know what work or accountability means and can't hold a job for lack of "prep" ethic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm disgusted with the AAP prepping. There was a record number of AAP acceptances this year because of the prepping. And the schools have to figure out how to accommodate all of these kids. The parents who do this are the same ridiculous type A people that red shirt their kids for kindergarten - just so that they can be smarter and better athletes than their peers. And the kids feel so much pressure to achieve and excel, that they too become cheaters - just like their parents.

j-e-a-l-o-u-s

I don't have to be jealous. My kid got into the AAP program the old fashioned way - based on his abilities. And he started k at 5 yrs and a few months.

Keep up the good work doing what you think is the best for your kid. Don't worry about other kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm disgusted with the AAP prepping. There was a record number of AAP acceptances this year because of the prepping. And the schools have to figure out how to accommodate all of these kids. The parents who do this are the same ridiculous type A people that red shirt their kids for kindergarten - just so that they can be smarter and better athletes than their peers. And the kids feel so much pressure to achieve and excel, that they too become cheaters - just like their parents.

j-e-a-l-o-u-s

I don't have to be jealous. My kid got into the AAP program the old fashioned way - based on his abilities. And he started k at 5 yrs and a few months.

Who cares - prepping or no prepping - to each his own.

If the 'prepped' kids do not do well, they can be pulled back but this is by no means a foregone conclusion. Its the same probability for non-prepped "naturally smart" to fail.

In the long run, academics will just be a tool and not the only (or even main) driver for how the arc of life will shape up for these kids.

Anonymous wrote:I'm disgusted with the AAP prepping. There was a record number of AAP acceptances this year because of the prepping. And the schools have to figure out how to accommodate all of these kids. The parents who do this are the same ridiculous type A people that red shirt their kids for kindergarten - just so that they can be smarter and better athletes than their peers. And the kids feel so much pressure to achieve and excel, that they too become cheaters - just like their parents.

j-e-a-l-o-u-s