Letter to FCPS about TJ Admissions By TJHSST Students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think think perhaps they should do a mix of all.

Top test scores
Reserve x spots for URM
Lottery for 3.8 gpa plus algebra

Racial quotas are illegal. Any suggestion of this is pointless.

Is this true? What about college admission? Are racial quotas illegal there too? I see colleges maintain relatively static racial quotas.

Yes, the Supreme Court has held racial quotas illegal. Colleges use a "holistic" approach to get a diverse student body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When 1/3 of the students are admitted from one prep place - change is needed. Immigrants are organized, and you better believe that information traveled like wildfire, just as the test questions and answers did. In what world is that okay? Why should cheating be tolerated?

That prep school gives 3 or 4 times the work given by any middle school. So with that amount of prep given students will natrually pass into TJ. Why doent FCPS or the Virginia dept of education constitute an enquiry to prove the allegations. If not, dont spread the hate against immigrants who have come legally, pay heavy taxes than others.

Why would they put in an inquiry to prove the allegations? What would be the value of that for them? To shut you up? No one cares about that.

They know the test is compromised, so they're moving away from it. There would be no benefit from looking backwards and trying to punish Curie for what they did, and nothing would likely come of it anyway because stuff like this is nearly impossible to prove. But everyone at TJ knows that it happened, and that it's been happening for years, so FCPS is doing something about it so that in the FUTURE it's not a factor.

I for one would like to see an inquiry. I am livid.

My child was a semifinalist this year, did NOT prep and was not admitted. I have to wonder if his seat was stolen by Curie. Applying is not a simple process and FCPS has a duty to ensure that at the very least it is fair.

- He had to take a several hours long test in November and then another test in Feb.
- He also spent hours dreaming about the school and talked to several recent alumni.
- He was crushed when he didn’t get in. Especially because the news came at such a terrible time in March.
- We paid $100 tor him to take the test, not a small expense for our family.
- Two of his teachers spent time writing a recommendation letter.

It sounds like FCPS knew that the Curie was a problem (or should have known!). I think they owe every child that was a semifinalist an explanation. They should send an email, offer to refund the $100 fee and facilitate sophomore admissions if the student is still interested. If my child was on the waitlist, I would 100% push for my child to be IMMEDIATELY admitted because it’s pretty clear that those on the waitlist had a spot stolen from them.

If one of those TJ students that signed that letter helped Curie teach their students to cheat, he/she should be ashamed.

PP. This crushed me to read but is not surprising.

I don't know how this would functionally work, though. You'd have to give the TJ students immunity to discuss the situation, and additionally there's no guarantee that the 8th grade students who provided Curie with the exam questions (because I'm 99% sure that's what happened here) actually got into TJ to begin with.

The principal needs to be a leader here. She has the names of the students and could get to the bottom of it. I’m sure there are established techniques to investigate cheating. Will she?

Will the higher ups at FCPS even care that there were amazing students that also had the dream of TJ, but did not prep like they were told to by the admissions staff so they got left out in the cold?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When 1/3 of the students are admitted from one prep place - change is needed. Immigrants are organized, and you better believe that information traveled like wildfire, just as the test questions and answers did. In what world is that okay? Why should cheating be tolerated?

That prep school gives 3 or 4 times the work given by any middle school. So with that amount of prep given students will natrually pass into TJ. Why doent FCPS or the Virginia dept of education constitute an enquiry to prove the allegations. If not, dont spread the hate against immigrants who have come legally, pay heavy taxes than others.

Why would they put in an inquiry to prove the allegations? What would be the value of that for them? To shut you up? No one cares about that.

They know the test is compromised, so they're moving away from it. There would be no benefit from looking backwards and trying to punish Curie for what they did, and nothing would likely come of it anyway because stuff like this is nearly impossible to prove. But everyone at TJ knows that it happened, and that it's been happening for years, so FCPS is doing something about it so that in the FUTURE it's not a factor.

I for one would like to see an inquiry. I am livid.

My child was a semifinalist this year, did NOT prep and was not admitted. I have to wonder if his seat was stolen by Curie. Applying is not a simple process and FCPS has a duty to ensure that at the very least it is fair.

- He had to take a several hours long test in November and then another test in Feb.
- He also spent hours dreaming about the school and talked to several recent alumni.
- He was crushed when he didn’t get in. Especially because the news came at such a terrible time in March.
- We paid $100 tor him to take the test, not a small expense for our family.
- Two of his teachers spent time writing a recommendation letter.

It sounds like FCPS knew that the Curie was a problem (or should have known!). I think they owe every child that was a semifinalist an explanation. They should send an email, offer to refund the $100 fee and facilitate sophomore admissions if the student is still interested. If my child was on the waitlist, I would 100% push for my child to be IMMEDIATELY admitted because it’s pretty clear that those on the waitlist had a spot stolen from them.

If one of those TJ students that signed that letter helped Curie teach their students to cheat, he/she should be ashamed.

FCPS switched to the quant Q to avoid prep centers being able to give their students an advantage. It worked for the first year, but three years in, if someone wants to cheat, that's enough time to undermine the test. FCPS can't be held accountable for that. They can't spend millions annually to come up with unique tests. They had that issue with AAP too. I think getting rid of the tests is the only solution, unfortunately.

At our middle school presentation, the TJ admissions officer specially said that they do not encourage prep and that it won’t help. We took her at her word and didn’t prep. Then they turn around and admit 28% from ONE prep company!

They didn't know that because the students didn't put that on their applications. They found out after the fact and are now taking action by getting rid of the test. Again, they don't have the resources to stop cheating because there is clearly a will that will find a way in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When 1/3 of the students are admitted from one prep place - change is needed. Immigrants are organized, and you better believe that information traveled like wildfire, just as the test questions and answers did. In what world is that okay? Why should cheating be tolerated?

That prep school gives 3 or 4 times the work given by any middle school. So with that amount of prep given students will natrually pass into TJ. Why doent FCPS or the Virginia dept of education constitute an enquiry to prove the allegations. If not, dont spread the hate against immigrants who have come legally, pay heavy taxes than others.

Why would they put in an inquiry to prove the allegations? What would be the value of that for them? To shut you up? No one cares about that.

They know the test is compromised, so they're moving away from it. There would be no benefit from looking backwards and trying to punish Curie for what they did, and nothing would likely come of it anyway because stuff like this is nearly impossible to prove. But everyone at TJ knows that it happened, and that it's been happening for years, so FCPS is doing something about it so that in the FUTURE it's not a factor.

I for one would like to see an inquiry. I am livid.

My child was a semifinalist this year, did NOT prep and was not admitted. I have to wonder if his seat was stolen by Curie. Applying is not a simple process and FCPS has a duty to ensure that at the very least it is fair.

- He had to take a several hours long test in November and then another test in Feb.
- He also spent hours dreaming about the school and talked to several recent alumni.
- He was crushed when he didn’t get in. Especially because the news came at such a terrible time in March.
- We paid $100 tor him to take the test, not a small expense for our family.
- Two of his teachers spent time writing a recommendation letter.

It sounds like FCPS knew that the Curie was a problem (or should have known!). I think they owe every child that was a semifinalist an explanation. They should send an email, offer to refund the $100 fee and facilitate sophomore admissions if the student is still interested. If my child was on the waitlist, I would 100% push for my child to be IMMEDIATELY admitted because it’s pretty clear that those on the waitlist had a spot stolen from them.

If one of those TJ students that signed that letter helped Curie teach their students to cheat, he/she should be ashamed.

PP. This crushed me to read but is not surprising.

I don't know how this would functionally work, though. You'd have to give the TJ students immunity to discuss the situation, and additionally there's no guarantee that the 8th grade students who provided Curie with the exam questions (because I'm 99% sure that's what happened here) actually got into TJ to begin with.

The principal needs to be a leader here. She has the names of the students and could get to the bottom of it. I’m sure there are established techniques to investigate cheating. Will she?

Will the higher ups at FCPS even care that there were amazing students that also had the dream of TJ, but did not prep like they were told to by the admissions staff so they got left out in the cold?

I’m sure the kind of parent who paid for curie will make their kid cooperate.

[Anonymous]

So many rumors and lies on this board. Love the poster who slanders kids using the word “reportedly.” No source, no link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When 1/3 of the students are admitted from one prep place - change is needed. Immigrants are organized, and you better believe that information traveled like wildfire, just as the test questions and answers did. In what world is that okay? Why should cheating be tolerated?

That prep school gives 3 or 4 times the work given by any middle school. So with that amount of prep given students will natrually pass into TJ. Why doent FCPS or the Virginia dept of education constitute an enquiry to prove the allegations. If not, dont spread the hate against immigrants who have come legally, pay heavy taxes than others.

Why would they put in an inquiry to prove the allegations? What would be the value of that for them? To shut you up? No one cares about that.

They know the test is compromised, so they're moving away from it. There would be no benefit from looking backwards and trying to punish Curie for what they did, and nothing would likely come of it anyway because stuff like this is nearly impossible to prove. But everyone at TJ knows that it happened, and that it's been happening for years, so FCPS is doing something about it so that in the FUTURE it's not a factor.

I for one would like to see an inquiry. I am livid.

My child was a semifinalist this year, did NOT prep and was not admitted. I have to wonder if his seat was stolen by Curie. Applying is not a simple process and FCPS has a duty to ensure that at the very least it is fair.

- He had to take a several hours long test in November and then another test in Feb.
- He also spent hours dreaming about the school and talked to several recent alumni.
- He was crushed when he didn’t get in. Especially because the news came at such a terrible time in March.
- We paid $100 tor him to take the test, not a small expense for our family.
- Two of his teachers spent time writing a recommendation letter.

It sounds like FCPS knew that the Curie was a problem (or should have known!). I think they owe every child that was a semifinalist an explanation. They should send an email, offer to refund the $100 fee and facilitate sophomore admissions if the student is still interested. If my child was on the waitlist, I would 100% push for my child to be IMMEDIATELY admitted because it’s pretty clear that those on the waitlist had a spot stolen from them.

If one of those TJ students that signed that letter helped Curie teach their students to cheat, he/she should be ashamed.

FCPS switched to the quant Q to avoid prep centers being able to give their students an advantage. It worked for the first year, but three years in, if someone wants to cheat, that's enough time to undermine the test. FCPS can't be held accountable for that. They can't spend millions annually to come up with unique tests. They had that issue with AAP too. I think getting rid of the tests is the only solution, unfortunately.

At our middle school presentation, the TJ admissions officer specially said that they do not encourage prep and that it won’t help. We took her at her word and didn’t prep. Then they turn around and admit 28% from ONE prep company!

They didn't know that because the students didn't put that on their applications. They found out after the fact and are now taking action by getting rid of the test. Again, they don't have the resources to stop cheating because there is clearly a will that will find a way in Fairfax County.

From what I have read on this board, FCPS knew that Curie was a problem. It was an open secret at TJ. Curie published the list of the students admitted in 2018 and 2019. They had 51 in 2018 and then 80ish in 2019. They should have known that it was a problem. They should not have presented the Quant Q as “unpreppable” and given students false hope of TJ admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This letter will go into the same trash where all letters to Brabrand and the School Board land. 2020 in FCPS should be a scary example for all of what unchecked, liberal Democratic leadership looks like.

Yep. I've never voted republican as a principle, ever. At the next school board election, I will not vote for any of the current school board that votes for this nonsense. I know hundreds that will act like I do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not everyone belongs to TJ, those who don’t and get pushed in simply suffer, whether they are pushed in by overzealous parents or overzealous politicians. A differential equation doesn’t care what color of skin you have. Either you can solve it or you can’t.

You don't need to take differential equations in high school to succeed as a STEM major in college. TJ's goal should be to prepare high school kids for succeeding in STEM majors in college, not to make high school into college. I think that focus on making high school more like college instead of preparing kids to succeed in college is where TJ has gone off track and so is failing all except a small segment of the FCPS student body. Those who want a simulated college experience in high school should pay to have that privately and should not be able to use a public school for that purpose to the detriment of others.

Then why the push to get everyone into TJ? Most base schools take you up to at least BC Calc if not more!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is embarrassing from the TJ students and I am frankly shocked that these decided to put their names on it. It's just not good writing. Their position is a defensible one but this is a poorly mounted defense at best.

The vast majority of students at TJ will not accept this change, and that's to be expected because they were admitted through a different process that told them that they were the best and brightest.

Newsflash.. They ARE the best and the brightest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not everyone belongs to TJ, those who don’t and get pushed in simply suffer, whether they are pushed in by overzealous parents or overzealous politicians. A differential equation doesn’t care what color of skin you have. Either you can solve it or you can’t.

You don't need to take differential equations in high school to succeed as a STEM major in college. TJ's goal should be to prepare high school kids for succeeding in STEM majors in college, not to make high school into college. I think that focus on making high school more like college instead of preparing kids to succeed in college is where TJ has gone off track and so is failing all except a small segment of the FCPS student body. Those who want a simulated college experience in high school should pay to have that privately and should not be able to use a public school for that purpose to the detriment of others.

Then why the push to get everyone into TJ? Most base schools take you up to at least BC Calc if not more!

When do you think TJ started trying to make high school like college? When I showed up for orientation in 1999, my homeroom teacher said, "Welcome to high school for 14 year olds." So it's been this way for a long while. Personally I found it helpful. I know people who were there, and qualified to be there, for whom that approach really didn't work, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is embarrassing from the TJ students and I am frankly shocked that these decided to put their names on it. It's just not good writing. Their position is a defensible one but this is a poorly mounted defense at best.

The vast majority of students at TJ will not accept this change, and that's to be expected because they were admitted through a different process that told them that they were the best and brightest.

Newsflash.. They ARE the best and the brightest!

Nope. 28% of the freshman class prepped at one company that is accused of having a copy of the test.

[Anonymous]

^^^^ the teacher said, "Welcome to college for 14 year olds," clearly I was typing too fast

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it funny that some UMC TJ alums are advocating for the change. How about you give up your position at a big law firm so the poor black/hispanic lawyer can have a chance at success?

Did you get your position through your connection? Well, that's white privilege and you should give that up. Did your get your position through hard work? That's how the current TJ students got their spot at the school but you are telling them that they should not be there.

You only advocate for change when it does not affect you anymore. Let me see you actually do what you preach!

+ 1. These are mostly white people that are pissed that their kids lost seats to Asians. I know a few.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not everyone belongs to TJ, those who don’t and get pushed in simply suffer, whether they are pushed in by overzealous parents or overzealous politicians. A differential equation doesn’t care what color of skin you have. Either you can solve it or you can’t.

You don't need to take differential equations in high school to succeed as a STEM major in college. TJ's goal should be to prepare high school kids for succeeding in STEM majors in college, not to make high school into college. I think that focus on making high school more like college instead of preparing kids to succeed in college is where TJ has gone off track and so is failing all except a small segment of the FCPS student body. Those who want a simulated college experience in high school should pay to have that privately and should not be able to use a public school for that purpose to the detriment of others.

x10000000

Yes! This!

If you don’t want to solve differential equation? then why do you even want to go to TJ?

I don't want my Kid to solve the differential equations, and I don't want your Kid to solve them too, SAD

DD takes DE class at TJ now and tells me every day how she loves it. If she had to go to her base school, she probably could have graduated after 10th grade. Maybe that’s what other advanced kids should do in the future: if they don’t win the TJ lottery, just go to the base school and graduate earlier.

Going to college at 15, 16? May not be mature enough or emotionally ready though.

Some people just can’t seem to understand. There are actually lots of kids at TJ who just love these kind of stuff and genially enjoying it. These kids need TJ.

Welp. You'll need to start coming up with a plan other than TJ to fill that "need."

Yes. How about we all get our FCPS costs as a voucher that we can then use to pay a private school? That would be great and you can have fun running FCPS to the ground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not everyone belongs to TJ, those who don’t and get pushed in simply suffer, whether they are pushed in by overzealous parents or overzealous politicians. A differential equation doesn’t care what color of skin you have. Either you can solve it or you can’t.

You don't need to take differential equations in high school to succeed as a STEM major in college. TJ's goal should be to prepare high school kids for succeeding in STEM majors in college, not to make high school into college. I think that focus on making high school more like college instead of preparing kids to succeed in college is where TJ has gone off track and so is failing all except a small segment of the FCPS student body. Those who want a simulated college experience in high school should pay to have that privately and should not be able to use a public school for that purpose to the detriment of others.

Nope. TJ produces not just STEM majors for college but leaders in STEM fields- students who go on to earn MD/PhD and conduct research, STEM professors, Tech Company founders etc. not a science education grad from GMU or ODU.

The arrogance that is constantly on display makes one of the most compelling cases in favor of reform.

When did stating facts become arrogance? When you don't like it?