Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 17:04     Subject: Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
It means that some schools have after school enrichment programs available to all students, whether or not they are in AAP. Actually, that is one of the things our family is looking forward to next year. The AAP center school has many interesting learning opportunities after school, whereas our base school has almost none.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 16:55     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
AAP also adds strong after-school enrichment opportunities available to the entire school community.




What in the world does this mean? Sounds like it was written by a parent who thinks AAP doesn't cost FCPS any extra money.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 15:28     Subject: Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Get rid of AAP. Those who want an advanced education can pay an advanced rate (i.e. tuition at a private school). There will still be plenty of smart kids in FCPS and teachers will still be able to group kids and work with them at their level. Saves money --- not b/c of the busing -- but b/c we'll have fewer kids in FCPS.


that'd cause a "brain drain" and all the system will be left with are the poorer kids and lower test results - causing even more criticism of the system. See the disenchantment over this very issue on the Montgomery County school threads.


^ AAP keeps the brighter kids in the FCPS system and that is a good thing.


+1

AAP also adds strong after-school enrichment opportunities available to the entire school community.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 15:27     Subject: Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Get rid of AAP. Those who want an advanced education can pay an advanced rate (i.e. tuition at a private school). There will still be plenty of smart kids in FCPS and teachers will still be able to group kids and work with them at their level. Saves money --- not b/c of the busing -- but b/c we'll have fewer kids in FCPS.


that'd cause a "brain drain" and all the system will be left with are the poorer kids and lower test results - causing even more criticism of the system. See the disenchantment over this very issue on the Montgomery County school threads.


^ AAP keeps the brighter kids in the FCPS system and that is a good thing.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 15:26     Subject: Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:Get rid of AAP. Those who want an advanced education can pay an advanced rate (i.e. tuition at a private school). There will still be plenty of smart kids in FCPS and teachers will still be able to group kids and work with them at their level. Saves money --- not b/c of the busing -- but b/c we'll have fewer kids in FCPS.


that'd cause a "brain drain" and all the system will be left with are the poorer kids and lower test results - causing even more criticism of the system. See the disenchantment over this very issue on the Montgomery County school threads.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 15:01     Subject: Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Get rid of AAP. Those who want an advanced education can pay an advanced rate (i.e. tuition at a private school). There will still be plenty of smart kids in FCPS and teachers will still be able to group kids and work with them at their level. Saves money --- not b/c of the busing -- but b/c we'll have fewer kids in FCPS.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 14:33     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It makes perfect sense to me that in a county like Fairfax about 15% of the students will be academically advanced, then loosen the standards a bit to get more blacks and Hispanics into the program and you get your 17-18% figure. Doesn't seem out of whack to me at all.


Agree with this as well. Our school population has also been growing as well.


+1
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 10:35     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:Okay, then let's go back to a small GT program. AAP kids are not outliers needing special education.


THIS.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 09:45     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:It makes perfect sense to me that in a county like Fairfax about 15% of the students will be academically advanced, then loosen the standards a bit to get more blacks and Hispanics into the program and you get your 17-18% figure. Doesn't seem out of whack to me at all.


Agree with this as well. Our school population has also been growing as well.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 08:28     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
It makes perfect sense to me that in a county like Fairfax about 15% of the students will be academically advanced, then loosen the standards a bit to get more blacks and Hispanics into the program and you get your 17-18% figure. Doesn't seem out of whack to me at all.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 07:11     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Okay, then let's go back to a small GT program. AAP kids are not outliers needing special education.
Anonymous
Post 04/28/2014 06:51     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:AAP/GT is an unnecessary extra.


Understanding the Virginia Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/ed_services_plans/understanding_the_regs.pdf



I know you love to throw out links to regulations within VA and FCPS, but just because this is "the way it is" doesn't change the fact that many of us believe strongly it's high time for things to change. We all "understand the regs," but we don't all have to agree with them.
Anonymous
Post 04/27/2014 21:23     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:AAP/GT is an unnecessary extra.


Understanding the Virginia Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/gifted_ed/ed_services_plans/understanding_the_regs.pdf

Anonymous
Post 04/27/2014 21:21     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:The valedictorian of my suburban, middle class high school was one of the early HIV researchers who has contributed greatly to the progress in fighting AIDS. All without a GT program in his childhood. Who knew?


+1
There are tons of kids in my DC's high school who were never in AAP (then GT) in elementary or middle school, who have been incredibly successful and are now headed to excellent universities. AAP/GT is an unnecessary extra.
Anonymous
Post 04/27/2014 20:44     Subject: Re:Why shouldn't AAP be self selected?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Really? Kids who have been identified as being in the top 5-10% of intelligence are "no more likely" to cure cancer than other kids? Ridiculous. Now if you said that the kids likely to cure cancer would do so without AAP I think you would have a MUCH better argument.




What makes you think the AAP kids are in the top 5-10%?


top 18%.


Of Fairfax county, which is chock full of educated and very intelligent parents. I'd be shocked if the vast majority of these kids didn't land in the top 5-10% and most considerably higher. The old qualifying scores using the CoGat generally required scores in the top 2%.