Letter to FCPS about TJ Admissions By TJHSST Students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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?

do you have numbers to back any of those assertions? Or does anecdotal evidence suffice for fact ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

There are a few thousand miles between "accused" and "proven guilty". I bet you didn't go to TJ

[Anonymous]

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.

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?

do you have numbers to back any of those assertions? Or does anecdotal evidence suffice for fact ?

Dude! This is an anonymous chat group. People post opinions based on what they have read elsewhere. If you so care about "evidence" why don't you post something stating the opposite? I'll then spend the time to prove my POV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Oh, well, if you read it on this board, it must be true! 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
2. Public schools are required to meet this need by law

Really? I think they are obliged to provide a high school education but not necessarily one with advanced college level STEM.

If kids go in at the level of advanced college STEM, then not having that means that they're effectively not being provided with an education during their high school years. Maybe it would just look like they are and maybe they're effectively home-schooling because they aren't getting anything from the school. It's wrong to dismiss the legal aspect out-of-hand.

No it's not wrong to dismiss the legal aspect out of hand. Many kids identified as gifted don't get into TJ and are at their base school with no additional resources other than AP and IB classes. They can't sue the FCPS because they are only provided with AP, IB or honors classes. When the kids who end up at TJ were in AAP in MS and four years ahead, they couldn't sue to be taught at their level. I will easily dismiss the argument FCPS has provide kids with advanced college level STEM classes in order to meet the legal requirements.

I'm speaking to the general trend of school systems believing that they don't need to serve advanced kids because they can tough it out and take care of themselves, or whatever. A school like TJ which has advanced STEM classes is one way to fill the need. You're right, though, that not everyone who's advanced gets to go to TJ, or is even in a high enough grade to go to TJ. Nevertheless, if the school system were to do the complete opposite, namely abandon the plight of advanced students altogether, starting from TJ and extending towards advanced academics in base schools, etc, then it wouldn't be serving the needs of advanced students at all. In that story, TJ would be the one serving as the model which encourages others in the system to keep their standards up. If the school system completely abandons the notion of advanced students, then yes, I still do believe that the legal aspects do come into play, because at that point one can sue on the grounds that the school system, as a whole, is not making any attempt to serve an entire range of students..

[Anonymous]

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?

There is lot more cheating going on at other schools like Langley, Oakton or McLean so go report on those cheating incidents. They are not Asian enough for you?

There’s cheating in ES, even after changing the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Accused by you. Why don’t you make an accusation with your name on it if you are sure. Let the court decide. Coward.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if anyone from Curie knows about this allegation.

If it’s not true, can they sue for defamation?

[Anonymous]

This is all pointless. The achievement gap starts from the womb. Nothing can equalize the disparity in your home life, the education of your parents, the quality of their marriage, your community support system. Nothing.

[Anonymous]

No AA or Hispanic parent I know wants their kids in TJ. They look for a more balanced HS experience for their children. Only the White parents have this FOMO!

[Anonymous]

The White people who follow the Republican party are the ones who have a sense of privilege and are racists and they are the ones who cannot stand Asians getting ahead.

The White people who are Democrats are not the ones who are opportunity hoarders.

Blacks and Hispanics do not take the seats of Asians. The majority of students who will get in will be low performing Whites.

Don't fall for Trumpian politics. White racists are no friend of Asian-Americans.

[Anonymous]

So much nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The White people who follow the Republican party are the ones who have a sense of privilege and are racists and they are the ones who cannot stand Asians getting ahead.

The White people who are Democrats are not the ones who are opportunity hoarders.

Blacks and Hispanics do not take the seats of Asians. The majority of students who will get in will be low performing Whites.

Don't fall for Trumpian politics. White racists are no friend of Asian-Americans.

Seriously. It is the Democrat fcps school board and Virginia Democrat governor making these changes. Should have voted for Republican.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The White people who follow the Republican party are the ones who have a sense of privilege and are racists and they are the ones who cannot stand Asians getting ahead.

The White people who are Democrats are not the ones who are opportunity hoarders.

Blacks and Hispanics do not take the seats of Asians. The majority of students who will get in will be low performing Whites.

Don't fall for Trumpian politics. White racists are no friend of Asian-Americans.

Seriously. It is the Democrat fcps school board and Virginia Democrat governor making these changes. Should have voted for Republican.

Well. The new proposal will certainly be challenged now and will be struck down by the new 6-3 SCT! Say goodbye to any form of affirmative action period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't care if you feel like your spot is "stolen" by the lottery. The lottery makes your chance of getting in equal to others. Why should higher SES kids whose parents can pay for enrichment, prep classes and tutors have a monopoly on attending TJ. Be grateful for the years and years of having that monopoly and stop trying to hog everything for yourself.

- The goal is to tax the rich and help prepare the economically disadvantaged. Lowering the quality of TJ not acceptable.