Project Arrow

[JB]

What happens to PA in an over-crowding situation? If we exercise the "Prince Albert Option" (thanks fence), we will reach a point where there are no electives. Core cirriculum only.

This leads me to believe that PA will either be:

a). cut in lieu of core courses, or

b). diluted with only semi-genius kids to get the classroom size up so we continue to maximize space.

Comments?

[gatormom]

Actually, PA only goes through MS. In high school, children are recommended for and test for honors/AP classes. Some children not in PA have gifts in one or more areas, but not actual "genius". They are able to test into the honors/AP classes. I would not even venture to guess what would happen there.

[Avenging Eagle]

jb said:

What happens to PA in an over-crowding situation? If we exercise the "Prince Albert Option" (thanks fence), we will reach a point where there are no electives. Core cirriculum only.

This leads me to believe that PA will either be:

a). cut in lieu of core courses, or

b). diluted with only semi-genius kids to get the classroom size up so we continue to maximize space.

Comments?

jb,
I think you are unfortunately correct.

My son was in PA in elementary school, and their was talk that from year to year that the program might be cut, even without the new complications. It survived somehow, but could be moved to the extremely endangered list at this point.

[wvhsparent]

Personally---- speaking as a parent who HAD a child in PA----- I would rather see them spend the extra time with the struggling kids than with PA types. She actually wanted out of PA when she got to MS. Still took accelerated classes and did quite well.

[fence]

I don't see how any SD with a finger on the pulse of reality could downgrade the number of or access to AP classes at the HS level. It is such an integral part of the college bound set, and I just read a huge article about how most high school curriculums are adding more AP to get their college bound students more competitive, how could we take that away? I will save a reaction on 204's plans and give them the benefit of the doubt here.

As far as PA, it is a specialty program, so who knows what would happen to it. Again, I can't imagine them taking that out of our curriculum just because its a pretty standard part of any good SD's program.

[al]

also a quick FYI - the PA delivery in middle school IS core curriculum, not a pull-out but rather a full-time placement in a PA den for Core classes.

[cantretirehere]

gatormom said:

Actually, PA only goes through MS. In high school, children are recommended for and test for honors/AP classes. Some children not in PA have gifts in one or more areas, but not actual "genius". They are able to test into the honors/AP classes. I would not even venture to guess what would happen there.

In HS a kid doesn't need to test into Honors or AP. A teacher recommends that they take it or not. If a teacher doesn't recommend it and you still think that your kid can handle it then you just go in a sign a paper saying you are responsible for whatever happens with their grade. A teacher in MS wouldn't recommend my son for honors in a certain subject in HS and I went to the HS and signed the papers. He got A's in that Honors class - so go figure. Anyway I haven't seen any testing involved for Honors with either of my HS kids over the last 4 years.

[gatormom]

My son is a junior, but there was testing for Honors Biology coming out of MS. Honors English and Honors world history were all teacher recommendation.

One of the conditions in signing that piece of paper is that your child cannot withdraw for the entire semester. If your child is recommended to be placed in a class and it does not work out, they can withdraw much sooner.