Youngkin and TJ

[Anonymous]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Citation desperately needed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Youngkin can yell and scream and shout all he wants, but the reality is the levers of the TJ admissions process are controlled by the FCPS School Board. The opportunity to elect a new School Board will take place in November of 2023, by which point the admissions process - in whatever form it takes - will already be well underway for the TJ Class of 2028 to an extent that making changes (especially if they included a proctored exam) would threaten that class's ability to be seated on time. Recall petitions have failed. This is not Loudoun County, and the reality is that a HUGE portion of the "mama and papa bears" making a stink about TJ come from Loudoun anyway, and are centered in Ashburn, South Riding, and Brambleton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Citation desperately needed

We just did the TJ application and the way it’s worded “we’re you eligible for free meals” allowed any applicant to say yes. All kids were “eligible” for free meals this year.

We didn’t say yes though because we aren’t vile POSs.

The OP’s % chance of admissions are off though if many people do check “yes”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Citation desperately needed

We just did the TJ application and the way it’s worded “we’re you eligible for free meals” allowed any applicant to say yes. All kids were “eligible” for free meals this year.

We didn’t say yes though because we aren’t vile POSs.

The OP’s % chance of admissions are off though if many people do check “yes”.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm more referring to a citation that indicates that the Admissions Office will take families at their word that they are economically disadvantaged rather than doing the ten seconds of follow-up with their individual schools that is necessary in order to confirm a family's FARMS status.

[Anonymous]

I'm more referring to a citation that indicates that the Admissions Office will take families at their word that they are economically disadvantaged rather than doing the ten seconds of follow-up with their individual schools that is necessary in order to confirm a family's FARMS status.

How is that ten seconds of follow up? And can you imagine - that would be so discriminatory or seen/spun as such--accusing families of lying even if some are. Especially in covid-times where people's economic situations have changed rapidly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm more referring to a citation that indicates that the Admissions Office will take families at their word that they are economically disadvantaged rather than doing the ten seconds of follow-up with their individual schools that is necessary in order to confirm a family's FARMS status.

How is that ten seconds of follow up? And can you imagine - that would be so discriminatory or seen/spun as such--accusing families of lying even if some are. Especially in covid-times where people's economic situations have changed rapidly.

Step 1: Send the list of students whose families are claiming eligibility to each respective school. Yes - this literally takes no more than a few seconds. And they already do this with respect to confirming a student's level of math.
Step 2: Each school replies with their current records - since the question is "were you eligible" the answer is pretty straightforward. If there are discrepancies, the school can investigate.
Step 3: Either remove the fraudulent families from the process entirely or remove the FARMS eligibility from their list of experience factors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Citation desperately needed

We just did the TJ application and the way it’s worded “we’re you eligible for free meals” allowed any applicant to say yes. All kids were “eligible” for free meals this year.

We didn’t say yes though because we aren’t vile POSs.

The OP’s % chance of admissions are off though if many people do check “yes”.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm more referring to a citation that indicates that the Admissions Office will take families at their word that they are economically disadvantaged rather than doing the ten seconds of follow-up with their individual schools that is necessary in order to confirm a family's FARMS status.

It’s not clear they are doing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Citation desperately needed

We just did the TJ application and the way it’s worded “we’re you eligible for free meals” allowed any applicant to say yes. All kids were “eligible” for free meals this year.

We didn’t say yes though because we aren’t vile POSs.

The OP’s % chance of admissions are off though if many people do check “yes”.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm more referring to a citation that indicates that the Admissions Office will take families at their word that they are economically disadvantaged rather than doing the ten seconds of follow-up with their individual schools that is necessary in order to confirm a family's FARMS status.

It’s not clear they are doing that.

Which is why I asked for the citation. I don't buy it for a second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm more referring to a citation that indicates that the Admissions Office will take families at their word that they are economically disadvantaged rather than doing the ten seconds of follow-up with their individual schools that is necessary in order to confirm a family's FARMS status.

How is that ten seconds of follow up? And can you imagine - that would be so discriminatory or seen/spun as such--accusing families of lying even if some are. Especially in covid-times where people's economic situations have changed rapidly.

Step 1: Send the list of students whose families are claiming eligibility to each respective school. Yes - this literally takes no more than a few seconds. And they already do this with respect to confirming a student's level of math.
Step 2: Each school replies with their current records - since the question is "were you eligible" the answer is pretty straightforward. If there are discrepancies, the school can investigate.
Step 3: Either remove the fraudulent families from the process entirely or remove the FARMS eligibility from their list of experience factors.

One problem, technically everyone checking yes is telling the truth this year. Every child gets free meals now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Youngkin can yell and scream and shout all he wants, but the reality is the levers of the TJ admissions process are controlled by the FCPS School Board. The opportunity to elect a new School Board will take place in November of 2023, by which point the admissions process - in whatever form it takes - will already be well underway for the TJ Class of 2028 to an extent that making changes (especially if they included a proctored exam) would threaten that class's ability to be seated on time. Recall petitions have failed. This is not Loudoun County, and the reality is that a HUGE portion of the "mama and papa bears" making a stink about TJ come from Loudoun anyway, and are centered in Ashburn, South Riding, and Brambleton.

I think this is correct. It's the number 1 issue for a small minority of voters and a non-issue for the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Youngkin can yell and scream and shout all he wants, but the reality is the levers of the TJ admissions process are controlled by the FCPS School Board. The opportunity to elect a new School Board will take place in November of 2023, by which point the admissions process - in whatever form it takes - will already be well underway for the TJ Class of 2028 to an extent that making changes (especially if they included a proctored exam) would threaten that class's ability to be seated on time. Recall petitions have failed. This is not Loudoun County, and the reality is that a HUGE portion of the "mama and papa bears" making a stink about TJ come from Loudoun anyway, and are centered in Ashburn, South Riding, and Brambleton.

I think most people understood it will take some time to counter the foolishness of the FCPS School Board. Voting out the current members of the School Board - the folks responsible for failing to ensure FCPS had a sound IT infrastructure, keeping kids out of schools when other districts and private schools were providing in-person education, making unnecessary changes to TJ admissions, indulging the likes of Karl Frisch and Elaine Tholen with their self-serving spending/boundary schemes, and failing to protect the PII of special education students - will be one important step in the right direction.

The "mama and papa bears" are everywhere in NoVa, even in Arlington, which is bluer than Fairfax. We've seen the incompetence and hypocrisy of School Board members up close now for the last two years, and it's eye-opening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Youngkin can yell and scream and shout all he wants, but the reality is the levers of the TJ admissions process are controlled by the FCPS School Board. The opportunity to elect a new School Board will take place in November of 2023, by which point the admissions process - in whatever form it takes - will already be well underway for the TJ Class of 2028 to an extent that making changes (especially if they included a proctored exam) would threaten that class's ability to be seated on time. Recall petitions have failed. This is not Loudoun County, and the reality is that a HUGE portion of the "mama and papa bears" making a stink about TJ come from Loudoun anyway, and are centered in Ashburn, South Riding, and Brambleton.

I think this is correct. It's the number 1 issue for a small minority of voters and a non-issue for the rest.

The very simple key will be for Democrats to rally around some perceived Republican priority - let's go with perhaps book censorship? - and ensure that it motivates enough of their voters to get to the polls in an off year.

The CRT boogeyman is far more worrisome for Democrats than the TJ issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm more referring to a citation that indicates that the Admissions Office will take families at their word that they are economically disadvantaged rather than doing the ten seconds of follow-up with their individual schools that is necessary in order to confirm a family's FARMS status.

How is that ten seconds of follow up? And can you imagine - that would be so discriminatory or seen/spun as such--accusing families of lying even if some are. Especially in covid-times where people's economic situations have changed rapidly.

Step 1: Send the list of students whose families are claiming eligibility to each respective school. Yes - this literally takes no more than a few seconds. And they already do this with respect to confirming a student's level of math.
Step 2: Each school replies with their current records - since the question is "were you eligible" the answer is pretty straightforward. If there are discrepancies, the school can investigate.
Step 3: Either remove the fraudulent families from the process entirely or remove the FARMS eligibility from their list of experience factors.

They are NOT doing this. This is equity theater and Brabrand only cares about having a good press release. Being able to say 25% are FARMS sounds incredible! (If only it was actually true!)

If you checked "No", your child is at a real disadvantage I'm sad to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-thomas-jefferson-high-admissions/2021/11/29/168fd9c8-48b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html

Interesting article on the levers that Youngkin could (and could not) use to affect admissions to TJ.

One interesting thing in the article: The Washington Post apparently is unaware it is a fairytale that 25% of the class of 2025 is low income. As we all know now, this is based on free and reduced-price meals eligibility - something that is extremely gameable under the current free meals for all polcies. This is a self-reported measure and that every child can claim to be FARMS last year and this year. Prep companies are coaching parents to check yes for both of these boxes and FCPS is looking the other way since it makes them look good to be able to say 25% are FARMS.. A child that checks this box has a 40% chance of admission vs a child that does not check these boxes has a 10% chance.

Gross.

Youngkin can yell and scream and shout all he wants, but the reality is the levers of the TJ admissions process are controlled by the FCPS School Board. The opportunity to elect a new School Board will take place in November of 2023, by which point the admissions process - in whatever form it takes - will already be well underway for the TJ Class of 2028 to an extent that making changes (especially if they included a proctored exam) would threaten that class's ability to be seated on time. Recall petitions have failed. This is not Loudoun County, and the reality is that a HUGE portion of the "mama and papa bears" making a stink about TJ come from Loudoun anyway, and are centered in Ashburn, South Riding, and Brambleton.

I think most people understood it will take some time to counter the foolishness of the FCPS School Board. Voting out the current members of the School Board - the folks responsible for failing to ensure FCPS had a sound IT infrastructure, keeping kids out of schools when other districts and private schools were providing in-person education, making unnecessary changes to TJ admissions, indulging the likes of Karl Frisch and Elaine Tholen with their self-serving spending/boundary schemes, and failing to protect the PII of special education students - will be one important step in the right direction.

The "mama and papa bears" are everywhere in NoVa, even in Arlington, which is bluer than Fairfax. We've seen the incompetence and hypocrisy of School Board members up close now for the last two years, and it's eye-opening.

It's going to take a lot more astroturfing to elect a conservative board, but at least you're starting early.