Advanced Academics Program

FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
What Advanced Academic services are available in FCPS?

FCPS is committed to providing challenging learning experiences for all learners that build on individual strengths and optimize academic potential. In order to meet the needs and develop the potential of advanced learners, FCPS provides a continuum of advanced academic services.


Critical and Creative Thinking Strategies (Level I)

What services are available for all students in grades K-6?

Response Lessons are provided for all K-2 students in critical and creative thinking through learning activities that are connected to the FCPS Program of Studies.  Model Thinking Lessons are provided for all grades 3-6 students that represent a broad range of thinking strategies which extend and enrich the FCPS Program of Studies (POS) and the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL).  The lessons support differentiation within the classroom.  Grade-level specific lessons are available in math, language arts, social studies, and science.


Differentiated Services (Level II)

How are students identified for Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (level II)?

Students who exhibit a need for additional challenge in an area of academic strength are considered for Differentiated Services within the classroom. These services are specifically planned for the identified child to provide more challenging content, assignments, resources and/or instructional grouping within the classroom.  The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher collaborates with the classroom teachers to provide additional challenges and resources within the general education program.

Do Differentiated Services change or do they always stay the same?

Differentiated Services are determined based on student needs and therefore may change over time.  For example, a group of students might require additional challenge in math for a specific unit.  These students might work together in a small group on math extension activities instead of basic skills.  Or a student may have extensive knowledge on a particular science or social studies topic.  In this case, the student might work on an independent research project on that topic.  Services are ttailored to the individual student and the content area(s) and/or the unit of study.

What is the Young Scholars Model?

Young Scholars (YS) is a K-8 model that is designed to increase the proportion of historically underrepresented students in advanced academic programs. School administrators, teachers, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers work together to find and nurture advanced academic potential in young learners. Through flexible grouping, summer school, and after-school programs, students are provided an educational setting that raises their personal expectations and prepares them for more challenging and rigorous courses as they advance in grade level.  Young Scholars is a county-wide initiative.


Part-Time AAP Services (Level III)

What are the school-based services for students in grades 3-6?

Advanced Academic school-based services are delivered to eligible students in grades 3-6 through a collaborative model that supports a continuum of advanced academic services. The model is designed to strengthen direct services for advanced learners and to enhance the quality of instruction offered to all students. The Advanced Academic Resource Teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to design differentiated lessons that challenge students to learn at a faster rate, think on a higher level, and/or study sophisticated and complex content through extensions of the FCPS Program of Studies for students identified for differentiated lessons in areas of academic strength (level II).   Students identified for school-based (level III) services receive direct services from the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher either in a pull-out program or through small-group interaction within the general education classroom.

How are students identified for the grades 3-6 part-time AAP services (levels II and III)?

All students are considered for school-based services on an ongoing basis. Parent/guardians of students currently enrolled in FCPS may also initiate screening for the school-based program by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Levels II-III) Referral Form to the school's Advanced Academic Resource Teacher. The Local School Advanced Academic Screening Committee considers ability and achievement test scores, the Gifted Behavior Rating Scale (GBRS), progress reports, and parent/guardian input to determine the need for advanced academic services. Please refer to the Quick Links section for the School-Based Services Referral Form.

Who serves on the Local School Advanced Academic Programs Screening Committee?

The Local School Advanced Academic Programs Screening Committee consists of at least three people to include the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, principal/administrator designee, and classroom teacher(s).  A guidance counselor, reading teacher, media specialist, ESOL teacher, and/or other specialists may also serve on the committee.


Full-Time AAP(Level IV) Center Program

In what grades are students eligible to attend a full-time AAP (level IV) center?

Full-time AAP (level IV) center placements are for grades 3-8.

What is the full-time AAP placement (level IV) program?

The level IV program provides full-time academic placement for highly gifted students. Teachers follow a curriculum framework to differentiate the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction based on the FCPS Program of Studies.  Students work with academic peers in all core subject areas.

May a child be referred for full-time AAP placement more than one time?

Yes. Children in grades 3-8 may be referred once each school year. Parents, who would like their child considered for full-time AAP placement, must complete a referral form each year and submit it to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher at the local elementary school or the Director of Student Services at the middle school by the published deadline.

The Parent Information Packet can be found under the Quick Links section. This form will be due on February 3, 2012 to Ms. Meehan. Referrals forms received after that date will not be accepted.