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The information below is available in multiple languages:
Questions contact:
Stephanie Guffain (Dogwood ES AART) at
703-262-3100 or Saguffain@fcps.edu
SPRING SCHOOL-BASED AAP SERVICES NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP)
SCREENING FOR SCHOOL-BASED (LEVEL II-III) 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 extensions of the Program of Studies (POS). Teachers, administrators, and advanced academic resource teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of school-based services in each elementary school:
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Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)
All students in kindergarten through grade six receive level I services which consist of model lessons that are designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills. The lessons are modeled in all classrooms by AARTs and the thinking strategies are then used throughout the year by classroom teachers and other teachers who work with students. Student responses to these model lessons are used as part of the identification process for AAP services. Parents may also practice the thinking strategies during family conversations and activities. A description of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/critical-and-creative-thinking.
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Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)
The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenge through lessons and resources that extend and enrich the POS. Level II services are part of a talent development pool. Students are rescreened annually to make decisions about the need for this level of service.
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Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)
Students identified by a local school screening committee for part-time advanced academic services are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas. Students receive direct instruction from the AART at the local school using curriculum from the AAP Curriculum and Resources to Support the Differentiated Framework. Students identified for Level III services continue to receive level III services through grade 6.
Screening for school-based services can happen at any time during the school year but is done schoolwide in spring to determine services for the next school year. Parents or guardians may initiate the screening for school-based (level II and III) services by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form (available at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/elementary-school/current-fcps at the bottom of the page in Forms) to Stephanie Guffain at Dogwood ES prior to spring screening on May 1st, 2021. Multiple criteria are used to screen students for all levels of AAP services. Parents or guardians who submit a referral will be notified by Dogwood ES of their student’s eligibility status by June 1st, 2021.
If a parent or guardian wishes to appeal an ineligible decision, they may submit an appeal with new data for consideration by the local school screening committee. This new information should be submitted to Stephanie Guffain.
If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Guffain at 703-262-3100 or Saguffain@fcps.edu
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