Anonymous
11/16/2023 20:41
Subject: What are the likely implications of AAP being dismantled?
I know of one LLIV program where the 12 or so identified kids are purposefully split evenly across the four classes. The principal says this counts as a “cluster” (of three!) in each class. The principal is anti-AAP in principle and doesn’t think it’s fair to give one teacher “all the smart kids.”
(What SHOULD be happening is the 12 identified kids stay together and the class is rounded out with Level 3/Advanced math kids. All the teachers have a slightly less insane range of levels to teach to this way.)
Supposedly these kids are getting full time AAP. They are not. Is this actually a legit cluster model or way of implementing LLIV? Nope. But nobody’s stepping in, either.
I’ve heard several horror stories from teachers at new LLIV schools. Some of these principals did NOT want L4 at their schools and they have no problem essentially sabotaging it— in their eyes, that’s what’s best for everyone. Right now, when that happens at least the parents have the option of a center.
—AAP school lead who has heard some crazy things at district meetings
(What SHOULD be happening is the 12 identified kids stay together and the class is rounded out with Level 3/Advanced math kids. All the teachers have a slightly less insane range of levels to teach to this way.)
Supposedly these kids are getting full time AAP. They are not. Is this actually a legit cluster model or way of implementing LLIV? Nope. But nobody’s stepping in, either.
I’ve heard several horror stories from teachers at new LLIV schools. Some of these principals did NOT want L4 at their schools and they have no problem essentially sabotaging it— in their eyes, that’s what’s best for everyone. Right now, when that happens at least the parents have the option of a center.
—AAP school lead who has heard some crazy things at district meetings
Anonymous
11/16/2023 20:30
Subject: Re:What are the likely implications of AAP being dismantled?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Abolishing centers would only be a problem for schools that have too few kids above grade level in each subject.
This is my worry. My school is very small - only 2 classes per grade level - so not as many students are identified for full-time AAP. You need to have at least half of a class or 3/4 of a class and they don’t have enough eligible students so the experience is very different.
Just bus those who need AAP to the next closest school with a sufficient cohort. Centers aren't required.
So ... like a center school.
I think they meant any school with LL4 that has a class.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 20:17
Subject: What are the likely implications of AAP being dismantled?
Anonymous wrote:The “dismantle AAP” crowd are privileged white parents angry that their precious snowflakes didn’t get accepted into the program.
And LLIV is not Level 4. It’s a watered down version of an already watered down program that inevitably brings more children of various capabilities into a classroom and forces the teacher to teach to the bottom. The only equity achieved is that everyone loses.
I am an AAP teacher at a LL4. I don’t think the program should be dismantled, but I do think centers should go away. My school has one dedicated AAP class per grade. I am against cluster model too. It irritates me beyond belief that people think the education is superior at the center. That is completely false.
I am also for tracking kids and having AAP be subject based.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 11:31
Subject: Re:What are the likely implications of AAP being dismantled?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:
Abolishing centers would only be a problem for schools that have too few kids above grade level in each subject.
This is my worry. My school is very small - only 2 classes per grade level - so not as many students are identified for full-time AAP. You need to have at least half of a class or 3/4 of a class and they don’t have enough eligible students so the experience is very different.
Just bus those who need AAP to the next closest school with a sufficient cohort. Centers aren't required.
So ... like a center school.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 11:18
Subject: What are the likely implications of AAP being dismantled?
Im just glad one of my children got what they needed in a center placement and is being challenged appropriately. They are thriving.
I do feel for many that soon won't be able to have that experience, but the folks that voted for the current school board (a fairly large majority) must know that AAP Centers could never remain in the light of the efforts surrounding equity.
The strong rollout of LLIV to places that previously did not have it are an indication of how serious this plan is.
Id be surprised if LLIV dedicated classrooms survive the coming changes and everything is turned to a cluster model.
I do feel for many that soon won't be able to have that experience, but the folks that voted for the current school board (a fairly large majority) must know that AAP Centers could never remain in the light of the efforts surrounding equity.
The strong rollout of LLIV to places that previously did not have it are an indication of how serious this plan is.
Id be surprised if LLIV dedicated classrooms survive the coming changes and everything is turned to a cluster model.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 10:28
Subject: What are the likely implications of AAP being dismantled?
The “dismantle AAP” crowd are privileged white parents angry that their precious snowflakes didn’t get accepted into the program.
And LLIV is not Level 4. It’s a watered down version of an already watered down program that inevitably brings more children of various capabilities into a classroom and forces the teacher to teach to the bottom. The only equity achieved is that everyone loses.
And LLIV is not Level 4. It’s a watered down version of an already watered down program that inevitably brings more children of various capabilities into a classroom and forces the teacher to teach to the bottom. The only equity achieved is that everyone loses.
Anonymous
11/16/2023 08:03
Subject: What are the likely implications of AAP being dismantled?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:More comments at yesterday’s work session against AAP, most seem grounded in a member or their family not having been identified for LIV services. This time Megan McLaughlin started it saying her sons weren’t identified and they did great so the identification must be wrong.
Isn't it possible she is correct?
It’s absolutely possible that she is correct - the point of AAP isn’t to make a class of people who are successful while the rest are doomed — it’s about kids whose development happens differently. Eventually people reach full development and have their strengths. But the meaning of aap isn’t to give a success path to some and not to others. Come on.
Also - MM has been saying that for years - aren’t her kids in their 30s now or something? Enough of the stories about how things were 15 years ago.
+1 on both counts!
Anonymous
11/16/2023 07:59
Subject: Re:What are the likely implications of AAP being dismantled?
Anonymous wrote:
Abolishing centers would only be a problem for schools that have too few kids above grade level in each subject.
This is my worry. My school is very small - only 2 classes per grade level - so not as many students are identified for full-time AAP. You need to have at least half of a class or 3/4 of a class and they don’t have enough eligible students so the experience is very different.
Just bus those who need AAP to the next closest school with a sufficient cohort. Centers aren't required.