They sound like how math teachers would write - direct and straightforward. Equity admissions may secure students a spot at TJ, but it won't compensate for lack of prerequisite math and daily practice habits. Math learning demands practice, and unlike in middle school with superficial homework and inflated grades, fortunately, at TJ, math teachers insist on thorough learning, which makes practice unavoidable. Those who have cultivated disciplined math practice and deep learning habits from their elementary and middle school grades would find TJ math learning seamless. However, TJ math teachers, some of whom are alumni themselves as the email notes, are warning students to abandon their lazy expectations of inflated grades and buckle down. |
The "MIT" person is likely the same troll who has been spouting their "MIT" credentials on the opening line of their threads while showing a general lack of understanding and common sense on basic topics. If they actually went to MIT, they would understand that 1) A typical MIT exam in the sciences and engineering is purely about raw problem solving; on a different level than what is tested on a TJ Math 4 exam, thus a curve at MIT is normal and even very likely. 2) The TJ letter was extremely well written and pinpointed the exact problem with abundant evidence of the students lack of motivation or effort. They even excellently summarized that it's not a capability issue, it's about attitude. Unfortunately this is much more common these days; it's not a coincidence that a current #1 bestseller is this book https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036 |
The MIT tests are hard enough that an average in the 50s is fine and within the professor's expectations. That's not true in highschool. Furthermore, if they didn't care, they wouldn't have put in the effort of writing that email to give the students a wake up call |
It's been established upthread that the students who received this email would have been primarily members of the Class of 2024, under the old admissions process. Sorry about your narrative. |
Where are you seeing this data? |
Bingo. The email header even says "Spring '22" on it. The only kids who would have received that email from the Class of 2025 would have been significantly advanced in math. |
This is not from last year. This is from Spring,22. |
“All students offered admissions need to record the intent to attend TJHSST or not by Friday, April 26 at 4:00pm.”
One would assume offers to those on the waitlist will go out shortly thereafter. |
Remember the Class of 2025 only had about 20 something Alg 1. So, this course had a few Alg 1 from the Class of 2025 and most from Geo from the Class of 2026. This shows an even crazier truth, even Geo freshmen in the new admissions are not ready for a normal TJ curriculum. |
Straight from FCPS, here are some initial stats (note: these are PRIOR to tomorrow’s deadline, after which offers go out to waitlist kiddos).
https://www.fcps.edu/news/offers-extended-thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-class-2028 |
Of course, the 550 selections are random lottery choice from 2600 applicants. No mechanism to pick the most qualified in math and science. As with any random probability selection, there is an even spread of math and science talent from top 1/5th of the class with algebra 2 to the bottom 1/5th with algebra 1, and geometry students fill the middle with wide varying range of proficiencies. |