ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP) ELEMENTARY CONTINUUM OF SERVICES 

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners. 

FCPS offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-12. The continuum of services approach allows for a focus on matching services rather than labeling students. Students have:

• Multiple entry points for deeper learning opportunities in specific areas of need as they develop.
• A cluster group of students with similar academic needs to continue growing in their learning.

Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of service at the elementary level: 

Tier 1 Access to AAP Curriculum and Strategies, Grades K-6 (Level I) 

All students have opportunities to think critically, reason, and problem-solve. 

• All teachers use critical and creative thinking strategies in their lessons
• Classroom teachers provide opportunities using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework a minimum of once per quarter.

Because Level I services are for all FCPS students, there is not a screening process.

Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II) 

Some students are strong in one or more subject areas. Classroom teachers may adjust instruction for students in these areas by:

• Providing different assignments and resources in those subjects
• Grouping students by their strengths, interests, and readiness
• Classroom teachers provide additional challenges using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework.

Level II Services are re-evaluated each year.

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III) 

Some students have advanced academic abilities in multiple subject areas. They need part-time AAP services. 

• Students work with students that have similar academic needs through weekly pull-out classes or weekly co-taught lessons with the AART and classroom teacher.
• Teachers provide frequent opportunities to use materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, science, social studies, and/or mathematics.

Level III services continue through Grade 6. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV) 

Some advanced learners need a full-time advanced academic program with differentiated instruction in all four core content areas (Language Arts, mathematics, social studies, and science). 

Students eligible for full-time AAP services are cluster grouped on a full-time basis and receive:

• Full-time use of materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, science, and social studies curriculum, and
• Mathematics curriculum with depth and complexity that is at least one year above grade level.

Level IV services continue through Grade 8. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.

Screening for Levels II-IV

Multiple criteria are reviewed holistically to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. Committees consider student work from opportunities with AAP lessons, examples of student reasoning or gifted behaviors from class discussions and activities, progress reports, achievement and ability scores, and parent input. Committees consider whether students have access to a group of students with similar academic needs to support academic conversations and growth in the classroom.

Eligibility decisions for Level II and Level III services are made by a committee at the local school

Screening for Level II and Level III services is ongoing throughout the school year. To refer for Level II or III services, submit the AAP School-Based Referral Form to the AART and the local school.

Eligibility decisions for full-time Level IV services are made by the countywide central selection committee.

Screening for Level IV services occurs during specific screening cycles:  

• Fall screening is available for students who are new to FCPS since January.
  • Fall referrals are due October 7.
• Spring screening is available for any Grade 2-7 FCPS-enrolled student 
  • The referral window is from the first day of school - December 15.

Referral forms for Levels II-IV are found at https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893. 

For more information, please visit the AAP website at: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students or contact AART Sally Chadbourn, [email protected].  

Ability Testing

FCPS uses ability testing as one part of the holistic screening process for Levels II-IV services. Test scores are not weighted or prioritized in the holistic screening process.  

• All students in Grade 1 take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT).
• All students in Grade 2 take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). 

• NNAT and/or CogAT may be administered to students in Grades 3-6 who do not have an ability test score during the regularly scheduled testing windows.  

Parents or guardians may request a one-time retest in grades 3-6 during the fall testing windows. Please contact the school testing coordinator Rachel Waters, [email protected], no later than September 15 to request the CogAT or October 15 for the NNAT.

Please do not wait for test scores before submitting a referral for your student in Grades 2-7 as there will be no referrals for Level IV screening accepted past the deadline.

 

Elementary Parent Information Meeting

A parent information meeting will be held this fall. The AART will provide information about levels of service and examples at Garfield Elementary School, explain the screening processes, and answer questions about part-time school-based and full-time Level IV services.

Young Scholars

FCPS developed the Young Scholars Model to help identify students from historically underrepresented populations for AAP services. The model provides additional opportunity to nurture talent and build confidence so that students can meet their potential. 

Twice-Exceptional (2e)

Some gifted students also have learning disabilities. These twice-exceptional, or “2e” students need strengths-based instruction. Their learning challenges also must be supported. FCPS has created a 2e handbook to help schools and families understand how to identify and serve 2e students. You can find these resources by going to www.fcps.edu and searching “2e.”

Middle and High School AAP

Additional information about middle and high school services may be found on the Advanced Academic Programs web page. https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners.

Screening for Levels II-III

Students can be screened for school-based (level II-III) AAP services at any time in the school year. In the spring, local schools review data on all students to determine services for the start of the next school year. • Parents or guardians can initiate the screening process by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) or Assistant Principal by April 15, annually.

• The AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form may be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-prog… or by searching “AAP Forms” at https://www.fcps.edu/.
• Parents or guardians who submit a referral will be notified by the local elementary school of their student’s eligibility status by early June.

Screening Process for Levels II-III

Multiple criteria are reviewed holistically to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. Committees consider student work from opportunities with AAP lessons, examples of student reasoning or gifted behaviors from class discussions and activities, progress reports, achievement and ability scores, and parent or guardian input. Committees consider whether students have access to a group of students with similar academic needs to support academic conversations and growth in the classroom.

Appeals Process for Levels II-III

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 the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher or Assistant Principal.

School-Based Services Overview

School-Based Services in Elementary School

FCPS offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-12. The continuum of services approach allows for a focus on matching services to students’ needs rather than labeling students. Students have:

• Multiple entry points for deeper learning opportunities in specific areas of need as they develop.
• A cluster group of students with similar academic needs to support student learning and growth.

Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of school-based services at the elementary level:

Tier 1 Access to AAP Curriculum and Strategies, Grades K-6 (Level I)

All students have opportunities to think critically, reason, and problem-solve.

• All teachers use critical and creative thinking strategies in their lessons
• Classroom teachers provide opportunities using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework a minimum of once per quarter.

Because Level I services are for all FCPS students, there is not a screening process.

Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)

Some students require differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in at least one specific subject area. Classroom teachers may adjust instruction for students in these areas by:

• Providing different assignments and resources using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework.
• Grouping students by their strengths, interests, and readiness. Level II Services are re-evaluated each year and may change from year to year.

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)

Some students have advanced academic abilities in multiple subject areas and require differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in multiple content areas.

• Students work with other students that have similar academic needs through weekly pull-out classes or weekly co-taught lessons with the AART and classroom teacher.
• Teachers provide frequent opportunities to use materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, science, social studies, and/or mathematics. Level III services continue through Grade 6. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.

Screening for Full-Time (Level IV)

Services Screening Timeline for Level IV

• Screening for level IV AAP services happens at the district/central level rather than by local schools. For your planning for next school year, please know that screening for Level IV services occurs during two specific screening cycles:
  • Fall screening is available for students who are new to FCPS since January. 
    • Fall referrals are due in early October (contact the AART for more information).
• Spring screening is available for any Grade 2-7 FCPS-enrolled student.
  • The referral window is from the first day of school - December 15, annually.

For more information, please visit the AAP website at: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advancedacademics-identification-and-….

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)

Some students require regular advanced differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in all four core content areas (Language Arts, mathematics, social studies, and science) and on a full-time basis. Students identified for level IV AAP require depth, complexity, and/or acceleration beyond the needs of their age-level peers at their current setting.

Students eligible for full-time AAP services are cluster grouped on a full-time basis and receive:

• Full-time use of materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies curriculum, and
• Increased intensity of depth, complexity, and acceleration compared to the needs of age-level peers in their current setting.

Level IV services continue through Grade 8. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.