Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)

Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time 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.

Screening for Subject Specific and Part-Time Services

Students can be screened for subject-specific and part-time AAP services at any time in the school year. In the spring, 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 Referral Form to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) or Assistant Principal by April 15, annually.
• The AAP School-Based Services Referral Form may be found here.
• 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 Subject Specific and Part-Time Services

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
• Parent or guardian input

Committees also 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 Subject Specific and Part-Time Services

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.

Subject Specific and Part-Time Services Overview

Subject Specific and Part-Time Services in Elementary School

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

Students have:

• Multiple entry points for deeper learning opportunities 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) provide the following levels of school-based services at the elementary level:

Access to Rigor, Grades K-6

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 at least once per quarter.

Because Access to Rigor services are for all FCPS students, there is no screening process.

Subject Specific Advanced Differentiation, Grades K-6

Some students require differentiation beyond their age-level peers in at least one subject area. Classroom teachers may adjust instruction by:

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

Student needs for subject-specific differentiation are re-evaluated each year at the local school.

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6

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

• Students work with other students with similar academic needs through weekly pull-out classes or 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.

Part-Time services continue through Grade 6. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.

Screening for Full-Time Services

Screening Timeline for Full-Time Services

Screening for Full-Time AAP services happens at the district/central level rather than at local schools.

Screening occurs during two specific cycles:

• Fall screening is available for students new to FCPS since January.
  • Fall referrals are due October 15, annually.
• 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, visit the AAP Website.

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8

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 and receive:

• Full-Time use of AAP Curriculum Framework materials in all four core subjects.
• Curriculum differentiated through acceleration, depth, and complexity.

Full-Time services continue through Grade 8. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.