PP: I agree with you. My primary reason for hating AAP test prep is probably because of how people use the scores. I really do not like teaching to the test. That is ruining US education. AAP test prep is IMHO, part of a cultural change that will destroy american education. Test to the test, and the kids will know how to answer tests. Teach for knowledge, and the kids will learn how to think.

I'm convinced someone on this thread has one of the summer CogAT prep camps. I actually think using these tests in first and second grade for AAP admission is silly so I don't care who preps for them, but it's obvious there is at least one person who acts very dense about the fact that the test is to see how kids react to types of problems the haven't seen before. Since I think the tests are ridiculous for determining AAP admission and Fairfax County isn't handling the whole prepping issue very well, I say prep away, but don't act like you don't know that the purpose of the test is undermined by prepping.

Anonymous wrote:

Having parents that buy a prep test does not reflect a component of a child's intelligence., nor does it show a child's ability to anticipate what to expect on an upcoming real exam. It shows that the child's parent has bought them a prep test. Your argument is silly. Whether it's cheating or not is not going to be solved on this thread, which I'm sure will continue until AAP letters come out and the obsession switches to that.

What's the difference between my teaching them the subject matter or buying it? Some kids are lucky for they have parents and school systems that teach them deeply what they need to know for CoGAT. What if I give them my teaching points if their teachers and parents are useless? And watch their IQ and intelligence grow.

You can buy the test prep, buy tuition for a great private school or a year round tutor or mortgage in an excellent school district, get test prep for free from caring and nurturing parents over a lifetime warranty. No frigging difference, madame.

You simply do not want others to benefit from what you provide for your kids. Trying to label children studying for tests as cheaters -- pure blasphemy

There is not difference. The difference is someone selling you the test in advance, or something close to that. I have bought my kids books. I teach a lot of science and math at home. I have helped her study for tests. In one case, I identified incorrect answers. You, the good prepper, would tell the child to answer what the teacher wanted. Me, the good parent, told the child to answer correctly. DD did, and was marked wrong. Much to the chagrin of the teacher, I dealt with it. The grade was not changed (I do not care if my child gets a 3 or 4 in the 5th grade. In the US it does not matter). But, I taught the teacher the science, which was more important. What I did is taught by child.

Having a second grader sit down and do 50 practice questions over and over again is abuse. Maybe it is ok in Korea, but I do not see creativity coming out of the Korean educational system. Rather I see copying others innovations, and possibly improving. Western society comes up with the ideas.

I will say it again: Preparing for an exam in college, HS, is not what we are against. No one I know who is successful takes an exam cold. I am a 50 yo research scientist. Everything I have done in my career is based on preparation.

Using the spelling bee example brought up: there is a difference in learning word origins, and how to spell many words, compared with obtaining the limited word list by the test organizer, and memorizing that. The latter is what we are complaining about.

The CogAT's purpose is to:

To assess students’ abilities in reasoning and problem solving using verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal (spatial) symbols

This is from http://www.riversidepublishing.com/products/cogAt/

They are trying to assess the ability to think and solve problems. Using practice exams may improve the score =, but it does not improve the ability to reason. Chess will improve the ability to reason. Reading, imagination, playing music, all fire those neurons. Practice CogAT's may (or may not) improve the score, but they will not improve the root intelligence. Since the county is going for a measure of the root intelligence, improving the score without improving what is being measured is called gaming the system.

I suppose if your child had a WISC scheduled, you would prep for that. I do know how to improve ones score in the WISC. It is possible, and is considered unethical.

I am sure you will pick that apart.

Oh really. You must be right then.

Anonymous wrote:Another interpretation: it seems you are the only one with an agenda.

Haha, it certainly doesn't appear that way.

.

Another interpretation: it seems you are the only one with an agenda.

Wow, somebody with an agenda really doesn't want anyone to question the appropriateness of "test prepping" for a second grade ability test.

Changing the point of the discussion, throwing out straw men, comparing the US to South Africa during apartheid... really?

Talk about paranoia! Whew..

It's self explanatory...unless you also do not know your hereditary tree.

Anonymous wrote:

No, but purchasing the prep test does show a component of the parent's intelligence. And, since IQ is hereditary...

If intelligence is hereditary as you say everyone knows who heads the pack. I'm 110% certain you do not fall in that category.

Your reply makes no sense. Care to rephrase?

What does that even mean?

It is nice to see tea bagger's thrown in the mix though with all the Indians and Asians. I am sure that the "tea baggers: were feeling left out.

Don't sweat it. After 65 pages no one expects you to understand. No one.

..the view point of an entitled tea bagger for those still seeking the definition of entitlement.

What does that even mean?

It is nice to see tea bagger's thrown in the mix though with all the Indians and Asians. I am sure that the "tea baggers: were feeling left out.

Yes it does. You make the point yourself. Buying real estate (doesn't need to be fancy) in a better pyramid is worth it. Of course, this is a matter of opinion. Additionally, spending a few dollars are the prep test is worth the cost. Neither is a crime. This thread has been hijacked by folks wanting what others have and crying CHEATER to those that have more. It is rather boring to read again and again.

No it does not. Just as intelligent as some parents purchasing fancy real estate (7 figures) to feed into the best public school systems or to attend a Big 3 school at $40,000/yr. All of a sudden a few dollars for books and study materials/year is a high crime.

...the view point of an entitled tea bagger for those still seeking the definition of entitlement.

No, but purchasing the prep test does show a component of the parent's intelligence. And, since IQ is hereditary...

If intelligence is hereditary as you say everyone knows who heads the pack. I'm 110% certain you do not fall in that category.