New TJ Lawsuit Filed 3/10/21 by Pacific Legal Foundation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know this isn't about who studies more. There were people actually cheating on the TJ exams and I wouldn't be surprised if there is widespread cheating in certain communities to get a leg up. There is nothing good about the way the old system worked. The new system sucks too but at least it gives a more even playing field.

28% of the class of 2024 came from one single prep company. 133 kids. That same company only had 50 kids admitted a year before.

Exactly - if $1000-a-pop test prep agencies are cropping up around your admissions process, it's pretty reasonable to move away from that.

*$4-5000 a pop

DAAMMMNN!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know this isn't about who studies more. There were people actually cheating on the TJ exams and I wouldn't be surprised if there is widespread cheating in certain communities to get a leg up. There is nothing good about the way the old system worked. The new system sucks too but at least it gives a more even playing field.

28% of the class of 2024 came from one single prep company. 133 kids. That same company only had 50 kids admitted a year before.

Exactly - if $1000-a-pop test prep agencies are cropping up around your admissions process, it's pretty reasonable to move away from that.

*$4-5000 a pop

DAAMMMNN!!!

Yep. Curie was over $4K for a 16-month program that for many families has been essentially rendered a waste.

I wonder how many of them have been offered refunds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

You made this up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

Really interesting. Wishing the best for your friends and their families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

In other words: Older white kids couldn't pass the test so didn't bother to apply, but now that the test is gone, the younger white kids are applying. Middle Asian kid was probably popular and athletic and wanted to stay with his/her friends/teammates in his/her base school. The youngest is a nerd like the eldest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

In other words: Older white kids couldn't pass the test so didn't bother to apply, but now that the test is gone, the younger white kids are applying. Middle Asian kid was probably popular and athletic and wanted to stay with his/her friends/teammates in his/her base school. The youngest is a nerd like the eldest.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

In other words: Older white kids couldn't pass the test so didn't bother to apply, but now that the test is gone, the younger white kids are applying. Middle Asian kid was probably popular and athletic and wanted to stay with his/her friends/teammates in his/her base school. The youngest is a nerd like the eldest.

In other words: more students are interested in what TJ has to offer, which will likely (gasp) RAISE the standard of excellence required for admission. Win-win!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

In other words: Older white kids couldn't pass the test so didn't bother to apply, but now that the test is gone, the younger white kids are applying. Middle Asian kid was probably popular and athletic and wanted to stay with his/her friends/teammates in his/her base school. The youngest is a nerd like the eldest.

Actually, the increasing number of people with attitudes like yours are the reason many whites have been avoiding TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

In other words: Older white kids couldn't pass the test so didn't bother to apply, but now that the test is gone, the younger white kids are applying. Middle Asian kid was probably popular and athletic and wanted to stay with his/her friends/teammates in his/her base school. The youngest is a nerd like the eldest.

Actually, the increasing number of people with attitudes like yours are the reason many whites have been avoiding TJ.

BINGO!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, had nothing to do with trying to avoid Asian American kids.

More people might apply because they think they can be admitted because they dropped the standards — no test, no teacher recommendations — and added non-merit factors like experience factors and quotas for schools.

The result will be a completely different TJ with less rigor and less cool stuff. But it will also have fewer Asian
Americans so the goal will have been achieved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, had nothing to do with trying to avoid Asian American kids.

More people might apply because they think they can be admitted because they dropped the standards — no test, no teacher recommendations — and added non-merit factors like experience factors and quotas for schools.

The result will be a completely different TJ with less rigor and less cool stuff. But it will also have fewer Asian
Americans so the goal will have been achieved.

Rigor and advancement are not the same thing. They are frequently correlated, but they're not the same.

Merit and advancement are not the same thing either.

There's a reason that most TJ teachers are excited about these changes.

But you're right about the teacher recs. It's a mistake to have dropped those - yes, they are prone to bias, but a well-trained admissions committee should be able to account for it in constructing a narrative about each student - and I think it's really hard to construct one that's sufficiently differentiated without them. They probably needed reworking rather than scrapping.

And finally - fewer Asian Americans has never been the goal. It is a necessary consequence of the goal only because the current representation is SO dramatically skewed. The goal is and has always been a stronger learning environment that is accessible to exceptional students across the entirety of FCPS' diversity spectrum.

The admissions office - while grossly understaffed and underfunded - knows what they are doing and will construct a class that will succeed and represent TJ well. Kids flame out at TJ as it is right now (about 8-10% do not graduate from TJ), and some will under the new process as well.

By far the biggest challenge the class of 2025 will have is the mistaken perception from the classes above them that they somehow don't belong just because they didn't have to take the Quant-Q. I am curious to see how the TJ Administration handles that situation, as they haven't really done enough to address the toxic and hypercompetitive environment that currently pervades the school.

[Anonymous]

It would be better for the taxpayers to close TJ and let kids attend their local schools. TJ is a magnet for people who brought their kids here illegally just so the kids could attend TJ. The taxpayers are the suckers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole revision was based on a goal of increasing the numbers of black and hispanic students. Just because they added a sentence in the motion saying the new plan is race-neutra doesn’t make it so.

Though, actually, the group that will increase the most from the changes are White students. Making Asians the ones with the most to lose is a major win for White people.

This. All this blame aimed at black and Hispanic students, when it's WHITE students who will benefit the most.

I mean, this would be true if white folks were actually interested in sending their kids to TJ. They're not, for the most part. White applications have dropped by more than 50% in the past 8 years.

I know white parents whose older kids didn't apply in prior years whose younger kids are applying this year. I also know an Asian family whose oldest went to TJ, middle one opted out despite being a stronger student than the first one and whose youngest is applying this year. I think people are hoping their kids will be able to focus on STEM without being in what was perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a pressure cooker environment. We'll see how the numbers turn out.

In other words: Older white kids couldn't pass the test so didn't bother to apply, but now that the test is gone, the younger white kids are applying. Middle Asian kid was probably popular and athletic and wanted to stay with his/her friends/teammates in his/her base school. The youngest is a nerd like the eldest.

Actually, the increasing number of people with attitudes like yours are the reason many whites have been avoiding TJ.

BINGO!

There are other reasons why kids don't want to attend TJ, lack of sports, travel distance and teen social life to name a few.