ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP)
CONTINUUM OF SERVICES
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in grades K-8. Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Program of Studies. Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following Levels of Service:
- Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)
The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher and classroom teachers teach nine higher order thinking strategies across all subject areas and grade levels.
- Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)
The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges and resources within the general education program.
The Young Scholars Model included in this level is designed to find and nurture advanced academic potential in students from historically underrepresented populations.
- Part-Time Advanced Academic Program, Grades 3-6 (Level III)
Students identified by a local school screening committee for part-time advanced academic services (Level III) are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas.
- Full-Time Advanced Academic Placement, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)
Students found eligible for placement in a full-time Advanced Academic Program (Level IV) through a central selection process receive a highly challenging instructional program in the four core subject areas.
· IBMYP: Selected Schools, Grades 6-10
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program is designed for students ages 11-16. The program helps students develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, and skills necessary to participate actively and responsibly in a changing world.
· Honors, Grades 7-8
Advanced and/or accelerated classes are available for students in grades 7- 8 through an open enrollment process. Students receive instruction that is differentiated for advanced learners in the four core subjects in one or more areas of academic strength or interest.
SCREENING
Multiple criteria are reviewed to determine eligibility for all FCPS Advanced Academic Programs. Formal identification begins with Level III services. The local school committee determines student eligibility for part-time school-based services. The countywide central selection committee determines eligibility for full-time AAP (Level IV) placement.
TESTING
Each fall all FCPS second grade students, as well as students in third through seventh grades who do not have ability test scores, are administered the Cognitive Abilities Test. This year all first and second grade students will take the NNAT. Beginning next year, the NNAT will be administered in first grade and the CogAT in second grade. A second grade screening pool is established using these test results. Students in the second grade pool are automatically screened for full-time AAP (Level IV) placement. Parents or guardians may exercise their one-time retest option during the fall testing cycle.
