TJ Falls to 14th in the Nation Per US News

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:90% of the MIT, Caltech, and Ivy League kids took Algebra I in 8th grade a generation ago. I don't think this is the issue. I don't know what the criteria is of this US News report. I just think these kids who are at this level should have also done something else to deserve getting in beyond just doing well in classes.

That's not correct..
The Algebra1 kids being admitted are illprepared in Algebra1, and are suffering with a C or D.

In Math 1 and 2? How do you know?

[Anonymous]

If TJ wasnt ranked to begin with, it wouldn't have been the target of equity politics. Once TJ is brought all the way down, equity politics would look to prey on next ranked or whatever school the Asians prefer in large number?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked! Did not see this coming.

[Anonymous]

Same thing is starting to happen at Harvard, Brown, etc. the elites are beginning to decline. All in the name of ‘equity’

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:90% of the MIT, Caltech, and Ivy League kids took Algebra I in 8th grade a generation ago. I don't think this is the issue. I don't know what the criteria is of this US News report. I just think these kids who are at this level should have also done something else to deserve getting in beyond just doing well in classes.

The math level isn't the issue, specifically. A generation ago, many very talented kids lacked access to Algebra I, even when they were 99th percentile+ kids. Currently in FCPS, no one lacks access. Every kid is given numerous years and paths for AAP or advanced math. They are given all of the tools they should need to qualify for Algebra in 7th, and the bar is not overwhelmingly high. The kids who don't qualify in FCPS simply aren't very good at math. This is doubly true for the LCPS kids taking Algebra in 8th.

This all sounds magical, except we were given 0 options to jump the track to Algebra.

They are working on this. At our ES (an AAP center) they used to not push kids into advanced math unless they were in level IV. Last year they started principal placing kids into level IV in grades with room. This year they implemented the criteria from the district and all of a sudden 5+ new kids were added to just my AAP 6th grader's math class (enabling them to take the IAAT). There are 2 other advanced math sections at our school, so that means at least 15 kids who wouldn't have had the chance to qualify for Algebra 1 in 7th did as of this year.

So both PPs are sort of right. Some schools used to be bad at it, but district wide they are trying to make sure the opportunities exist.

[Anonymous]

Which school is doing this? By 5th grade, every school is supposed to offer advanced math for all kids who qualify. Many centers have a separate gen ed advanced math class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a long time the number one school in the nation, US News now has TJ at #14. Not sure how much is a change in methodology, how much is the admissions policy (surprised to see WTOP call that one out below, because they usually parrot the FCPS party line on everything), and how much is other schools getting better.

Following controversial changes to its admissions policy in 2021 to boost diversity, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia remains the top ranked school in the D.C. region and 14th in the nation, slipping from the top 10. It’s also the 5th ranked STEM school in the nation.

https://wtop.com/education/2024/04/regions-best-high-schools/

Diversity in the school (Blacks, Hispanics, Low income) had 10% weightage too and class of 2022 lacked that which could have costed the ranking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a long time the number one school in the nation, US News now has TJ at #14. Not sure how much is a change in methodology, how much is the admissions policy (surprised to see WTOP call that one out below, because they usually parrot the FCPS party line on everything), and how much is other schools getting better.

Following controversial changes to its admissions policy in 2021 to boost diversity, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia remains the top ranked school in the D.C. region and 14th in the nation, slipping from the top 10. It’s also the 5th ranked STEM school in the nation.

https://wtop.com/education/2024/04/regions-best-high-schools/

Diversity in the school (Blacks, Hispanics, Low income) had 10% weightage too and class of 2022 lacked that which could have costed the ranking

This is a good point, but has that changed from prior years? The diversity, or lack thereof, at TJ was pretty stable for a long time. I still remember one of my teachers who was new to the school in the early 2000s pointing out that TJ didn't lack overall diversity (was not yet majority minority then, but close), just the diversity that the Washington Post happened to be freaking out about that year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a long time the number one school in the nation, US News now has TJ at #14. Not sure how much is a change in methodology, how much is the admissions policy (surprised to see WTOP call that one out below, because they usually parrot the FCPS party line on everything), and how much is other schools getting better.

Following controversial changes to its admissions policy in 2021 to boost diversity, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia remains the top ranked school in the D.C. region and 14th in the nation, slipping from the top 10. It’s also the 5th ranked STEM school in the nation.

https://wtop.com/education/2024/04/regions-best-high-schools/

Diversity in the school (Blacks, Hispanics, Low income) had 10% weightage too and class of 2022 lacked that which could have costed the ranking

Nice try, but not correct. US News Diversity component includes Asians, who are firmly minority by the way with 6%, much less than Hispanic: 18.5% Black: 12.2%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If TJ wasnt ranked to begin with, it wouldn't have been the target of equity politics. Once TJ is brought all the way down, equity politics would look to prey on next ranked or whatever school the Asians prefer in large number?

Said the quiet part out loud here. Are you implying that Asians are motivated by rankings rather than educational fit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a long time the number one school in the nation, US News now has TJ at #14. Not sure how much is a change in methodology, how much is the admissions policy (surprised to see WTOP call that one out below, because they usually parrot the FCPS party line on everything), and how much is other schools getting better.

Following controversial changes to its admissions policy in 2021 to boost diversity, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia remains the top ranked school in the D.C. region and 14th in the nation, slipping from the top 10. It’s also the 5th ranked STEM school in the nation.

https://wtop.com/education/2024/04/regions-best-high-schools/

Diversity in the school (Blacks, Hispanics, Low income) had 10% weightage too and class of 2022 lacked that which could have costed the ranking

Can you explain how this works with a race-blind process that is required by law in the US?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:90% of the MIT, Caltech, and Ivy League kids took Algebra I in 8th grade a generation ago. I don't think this is the issue. I don't know what the criteria is of this US News report. I just think these kids who are at this level should have also done something else to deserve getting in beyond just doing well in classes.

That's not correct..
The Algebra1 kids being admitted are illprepared in Algebra1, and are suffering with a C or D.

#fakenews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a long time the number one school in the nation, US News now has TJ at #14. Not sure how much is a change in methodology, how much is the admissions policy (surprised to see WTOP call that one out below, because they usually parrot the FCPS party line on everything), and how much is other schools getting better.

Following controversial changes to its admissions policy in 2021 to boost diversity, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia remains the top ranked school in the D.C. region and 14th in the nation, slipping from the top 10. It’s also the 5th ranked STEM school in the nation.

https://wtop.com/education/2024/04/regions-best-high-schools/

The FCPS Board was clear that they wanted the opportunity to attend TJ to extend to more of the county's students. They were not concerned about a slip in rankings and never said they were. It's the crazies on this board that said things like "The admissions changes led to a much stronger student body (by weeding out test preppers, etc.)." They were clearly wrong. Again, they are in denial about that but the FCPS Board was OK with it because the school should serve the full county and every middle school. I'm OK with that but let's not pretend it results in the best and brightest. A trade off that I for one and OK with but I freely admit that Asian students are denied seats they would otherwise have in a true merit-based system in order to further a different, and apparently legal, purpose.

Equity warriors throwing in the towel so soon? Essay Admissions was supposed to uncover the Einsteins from the bottom schools, who apparently are much more advanced in STEM than the prepped Asians with years of enrichment. Now that the silly Essay admissions is doing nothing more than simply letting in 150 Algebra 1 kids each year straight into remedial, it's time to explain away the decline?

The school Board never claimed that was the case. It was opening the door to more of the county's students. They never claimed what the equity warriors wished the case would be. The Board knew, and prepared for, a student body that was not at the academic math level of prior years. They were transparent in this process.

How is admitting 150 algebra1 students to TJ class bottom to struggle with remedial math considered anything but opening door to fail?

Why do some posters keep labeling the Algebra 1 students (taking geometry at TJ) as remedial. Algebra in 8th is still 1 year ahead of normal pacing.

They resent students whose parents didn't splurge on outside enrichment taking up space in these programs. They feel selection should be limited to students from the wealthier schools who have had more opportunities and exposure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a long time the number one school in the nation, US News now has TJ at #14. Not sure how much is a change in methodology, how much is the admissions policy (surprised to see WTOP call that one out below, because they usually parrot the FCPS party line on everything), and how much is other schools getting better.

Following controversial changes to its admissions policy in 2021 to boost diversity, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia remains the top ranked school in the D.C. region and 14th in the nation, slipping from the top 10. It’s also the 5th ranked STEM school in the nation.

https://wtop.com/education/2024/04/regions-best-high-schools/

Diversity in the school (Blacks, Hispanics, Low income) had 10% weightage too and class of 2022 lacked that which could have costed the ranking

Can you explain how this works with a race-blind process that is required by law in the US?

The US New rating forumula (which is what PP was talking about) is not governed by US law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a long time the number one school in the nation, US News now has TJ at #14. Not sure how much is a change in methodology, how much is the admissions policy (surprised to see WTOP call that one out below, because they usually parrot the FCPS party line on everything), and how much is other schools getting better.

Following controversial changes to its admissions policy in 2021 to boost diversity, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia remains the top ranked school in the D.C. region and 14th in the nation, slipping from the top 10. It’s also the 5th ranked STEM school in the nation.

https://wtop.com/education/2024/04/regions-best-high-schools/

The FCPS Board was clear that they wanted the opportunity to attend TJ to extend to more of the county's students. They were not concerned about a slip in rankings and never said they were. It's the crazies on this board that said things like "The admissions changes led to a much stronger student body (by weeding out test preppers, etc.)." They were clearly wrong. Again, they are in denial about that but the FCPS Board was OK with it because the school should serve the full county and every middle school. I'm OK with that but let's not pretend it results in the best and brightest. A trade off that I for one and OK with but I freely admit that Asian students are denied seats they would otherwise have in a true merit-based system in order to further a different, and apparently legal, purpose.

Equity warriors throwing in the towel so soon? Essay Admissions was supposed to uncover the Einsteins from the bottom schools, who apparently are much more advanced in STEM than the prepped Asians with years of enrichment. Now that the silly Essay admissions is doing nothing more than simply letting in 150 Algebra 1 kids each year straight into remedial, it's time to explain away the decline?

The school Board never claimed that was the case. It was opening the door to more of the county's students. They never claimed what the equity warriors wished the case would be. The Board knew, and prepared for, a student body that was not at the academic math level of prior years. They were transparent in this process.

How is admitting 150 algebra1 students to TJ class bottom to struggle with remedial math considered anything but opening door to fail?

Why do some posters keep labeling the Algebra 1 students (taking geometry at TJ) as remedial. Algebra in 8th is still 1 year ahead of normal pacing.

They resent students whose parents didn't splurge on outside enrichment taking up space in these programs. They feel selection should be limited to students from the wealthier schools who have had more opportunities and exposure.

It's funny to me because when I graduated like 49% of the class was in Geometry in 9th, 49% was in Algebra 2/Trig, and like 2% in Pr-Calculus. I know college is supposed to be so much more competitive now, but in terms of being able to do math there was really no difference among the 98% of us not in Pre-Calc. The triply advanced kids truly did stand out.