
Exactly. They are outcomes rather than opportunities in most cases - especially the ones referenced here. Pro-TJ-reform advocates rightly understand TJ as an opportunity rather than as an outcome. We are not interested in equality of outcomes but rather equality of opportunities. TJ is frequently misunderstood as an outcome because of the competitiveness within certain communities to receive the offer of admission and the communal value of the bumper sticker. But for those of us who understand what TJ is through deep experience, we know that it is an opportunity that has been almost completely inaccessible to Black, Hispanic, and low-income students for essentially the entirety of its existence. TJ has existed for 35 years and yet you can't come close to filling a single graduating class with the number of Black, Hispanic, or low-income students who have ever attended the school. When you have nearly twice as many Asian students in one class as you have Black students in the entire history of the school, you can't simply ascribe that to "choices". |
Most of us agree that we need more Blacks and This Hispanics in TJ but differ on the best way to achieve that. We should try to fix the pipeline and raise everyone’s standard, not the other way around. |
Yeah, so, we've been doing that. Obviously, that is not the solution. Part of the solution, yes. But not the only part of the solution. Other things need to give too. |
+1 million |
There are many more qualified students applying to TJ than there are seats. Of all races/backgrounds. |
So 35 years to solve the pipeline problem. Why hasn't it been done? what happened to all the white folks in positions of privilege over the years. Why did they not help solve it? Because that takes work and the right intent. I think one of the successful prep schools partnering with parents of Black, Hispanic, low-income students should be tasked with improving the pipeline. They'll make it happen in a few years. Now that's a win-win. Funding can come from donations and private sector. So no tax payer money is used. |
As an Asian American against the recent changes, I support this 100%. I might even give money and volunteer to teach/tutor students. |
There's a reason you're not in charge. Hint: it's because you're unserious. |
DP. You're against changes meant to change/improve the toxicity of the school? Do you want the school to be unchanged or do you want to see different changes made? |
Why would anyone run for an office in that shit hoe state? That’s like joining a losing football team. |
What you call "toxicity", others would call "competitiveness". Whenever you have bunch of driven, ambitious, intelligent and focused students in an environment with them feeling that they have to score much higher test scores, obtain much higher gpa, much better ECs, etc etc. because of their race, you will see competitive behavior. You see this in sports, arts, music heck, you ssee even MORE toxicity at Sidwell where parents are actively sabotaging other students/applicants. Talk about toxicity. Drop the "higher bar than others' set for Asian students, and you will see a significant lessening of the competitive behavior. Just human nature. Survivor of the fittest in these crazy winner take all economy we all have to deal with. Call Sidwell parents and Sidwell toxic before you call TJ toxic. |
Anyone who doubts that TJ is toxic should go down the dark, depressing rabbit hole that is TJ Vents. |
Nah. I already know how it is since I volunteered there for many years and my kid graduated from TJ few years ago. |
I recently moved to this area from another part of the country and never heard of TJ until I recently read the paper and found this thread. My oldest is at an Ivy studying STEM and has lots of Asian classmates and he says it’s a very collaborative environment even though everyone is all of the things you mentioned above. Asian students presumably face the same hurdles for college admissions that they did for admissions to TJ, so why is the HS environment so toxic compared to the college? Now the college isn’t majority Asian so maybe the level of competitiveness is not as high there. |
Outside of pre-med, I don't think STEM degrees are all that competitive. At least they weren't at my top-ranked STEM programs. Grad was majority Asian students. Everyone isn't gunning to differentiate themselves for college admissions. |