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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just get rid of TJ entirely. It is more trouble than it's worth and it sucks all the air out of the room. It is beyond ridiculous that the current School Board spent as much time on TJ as it has already, and God knows that isn't going to change once everyone starts scrutinizing again who did and didn't get in under the revised admissions process.

It was much simpler when you had a test administered by TJ to gauge STEM aptitude and preparedness for TJ and took the highest scorers. They just didn't like the outcome of a fair and equitable process.

Two things you can choose to believe:

1) The process wasn't fair or equitable, which is why you haven't had enough Black students in the school's 35 year history to fill a half of a graduating class

OR

2) The process is fair and equitable, and the lack of Black representation is due to some sort of deficiency among Black people with respect to STEM education

You believe one or the other.

You are wrong - these are the options

(A) status quo that sucks
(B) push through Braband’s half baked solution for which adequate input has not been sought and the impact on the incoming class has not been considered (they will get the racial mix they seek but they do not know how teachers will relate to an atypical cohort of maybe more congenial but not as driven kids)
(C) take a couple of years and take everyone’s input - assess impact - run a merit lottery pilot for 50% of the seats and move forward.

(C) will result in a solution that will not be liked by all for sure but you will get everyone a hearing. That makes for an easier sell even if you have to push an uncomfortable sale. But (B) is flashy and it is no coincidence it fits the approach of the radicals that run the school board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just get rid of TJ entirely. It is more trouble than it's worth and it sucks all the air out of the room. It is beyond ridiculous that the current School Board spent as much time on TJ as it has already, and God knows that isn't going to change once everyone starts scrutinizing again who did and didn't get in under the revised admissions process.

It was much simpler when you had a test administered by TJ to gauge STEM aptitude and preparedness for TJ and took the highest scorers. They just didn't like the outcome of a fair and equitable process.

Two things you can choose to believe:

1) The process wasn't fair or equitable, which is why you haven't had enough Black students in the school's 35 year history to fill a half of a graduating class

OR

2) The process is fair and equitable, and the lack of Black representation is due to some sort of deficiency among Black people with respect to STEM education

You believe one or the other.

You are wrong - these are the options

(A) status quo that sucks
(B) push through Braband’s half baked solution for which adequate input has not been sought and the impact on the incoming class has not been considered (they will get the racial mix they seek but they do not know how teachers will relate to an atypical cohort of maybe more congenial but not as driven kids)
(C) take a couple of years and take everyone’s input - assess impact - run a merit lottery pilot for 50% of the seats and move forward.

(C) will result in a solution that will not be liked by all for sure but you will get everyone a hearing. That makes for an easier sell even if you have to push an uncomfortable sale. But (B) is flashy and it is no coincidence it fits the approach of the radicals that run the school board.

I mean, that's a different question. My options related to the prior process, and it sounds like based on your (A) you tend to believe my (A). Is that fair?

Also, with respect to (c).... wouldn't surprise me if that's where they end up in a couple of years. Having admission to TJ be a moving target for a couple of years would probably do wonders for limiting the impact of prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just get rid of TJ entirely. It is more trouble than it's worth and it sucks all the air out of the room. It is beyond ridiculous that the current School Board spent as much time on TJ as it has already, and God knows that isn't going to change once everyone starts scrutinizing again who did and didn't get in under the revised admissions process.

It was much simpler when you had a test administered by TJ to gauge STEM aptitude and preparedness for TJ and took the highest scorers. They just didn't like the outcome of a fair and equitable process.

Two things you can choose to believe:

1) The process wasn't fair or equitable, which is why you haven't had enough Black students in the school's 35 year history to fill a half of a graduating class

OR

2) The process is fair and equitable, and the lack of Black representation is due to some sort of deficiency among Black people with respect to STEM education

You believe one or the other.

You are wrong - these are the options

(A) status quo that sucks
(B) push through Braband’s half baked solution for which adequate input has not been sought and the impact on the incoming class has not been considered (they will get the racial mix they seek but they do not know how teachers will relate to an atypical cohort of maybe more congenial but not as driven kids)
(C) take a couple of years and take everyone’s input - assess impact - run a merit lottery pilot for 50% of the seats and move forward.

(C) will result in a solution that will not be liked by all for sure but you will get everyone a hearing. That makes for an easier sell even if you have to push an uncomfortable sale. But (B) is flashy and it is no coincidence it fits the approach of the radicals that run the school board.

I mean, that's a different question. My options related to the prior process, and it sounds like based on your (A) you tend to believe my (A). Is that fair?

Also, with respect to (c).... wouldn't surprise me if that's where they end up in a couple of years. Having admission to TJ be a moving target for a couple of years would probably do wonders for limiting the impact of prep.

I agree with you on the outcome of your (A) ie we need more diversity. The Braband process is scotch tape on a hose leak. In a couple of years - parents who are driven will move residence across the county to maximize their shot at TJ and the racial mix of TJ will boomerang to exactly where we are today. Those intervening 2 years will mess with how TJ functions. The ambitious school board members will leverage this “success” and seek higher office.

The current process has unnecessarily unleashed race based acrimony (on all sides) to the benefit of the political class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this has been posted yet, but one of the Pacific Legal attorneys testified before the House this morning, and spoke about the anti-Asian sentiments and TJ admissions.

+1

https://www.c-span.org/video/?509938-1/house-judiciary-subcommittee-holds-hearing-discrimination-asian-americans

His testimony starts at about 1:34:00.

[Anonymous]

One possible approach

1. 25% seats to a rigorous testing process. But use something that is a little more difficult to game.

2. 25% pure lottery based on certain cutoffs to GPA.

3. 25% to Teacher/Principal nominations at the local middle school level. Citizenship type activities, etc would likely be rewarded.

4. 25% to those with outstanding Sports/Arts/etc.

Gives a nice balance and I would guess also make it more diverse racially.

No admissions process is without drawbacks but by dividing the pool this way, there is less chance of being gamed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One possible approach

1. 25% seats to a rigorous testing process. But use something that is a little more difficult to game.

2. 25% pure lottery based on certain cutoffs to GPA.

3. 25% to Teacher/Principal nominations at the local middle school level. Citizenship type activities, etc would likely be rewarded.

4. 25% to those with outstanding Sports/Arts/etc.

Gives a nice balance and I would guess also make it more diverse racially.

No admissions process is without drawbacks but by dividing the pool this way, there is less chance of being gamed.

And no, this would not result in TJ retaining its #1 ranking (if there is one), but that is a stupid goal anyway.

Anytime I see someone say "now TJ would lose its #1 ranking", I cringe. Focus on your kid, not the reflected glory of the school on you as a parent. - Indian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One possible approach

1. 25% seats to a rigorous testing process. But use something that is a little more difficult to game.

2. 25% pure lottery based on certain cutoffs to GPA.

3. 25% to Teacher/Principal nominations at the local middle school level. Citizenship type activities, etc would likely be rewarded.

4. 25% to those with outstanding Sports/Arts/etc.

Gives a nice balance and I would guess also make it more diverse racially.

No admissions process is without drawbacks but by dividing the pool this way, there is less chance of being gamed.

There could have been many approaches that could work but where was the input sought? It is naive to assume that any eventual solution will not have detractors but at least they would be inclusive in their approach and would not have unleashed the the race-baiting monster we have seen on these boards. But crowdsourcing ideas never got mileage for any politician - our upwordly mobile school board wants the glory of being the ones that pushed through the most radical and progressive change in the history of FCPS. Else why the hurry?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One possible approach

1. 25% seats to a rigorous testing process. But use something that is a little more difficult to game.

2. 25% pure lottery based on certain cutoffs to GPA.

3. 25% to Teacher/Principal nominations at the local middle school level. Citizenship type activities, etc would likely be rewarded.

4. 25% to those with outstanding Sports/Arts/etc.

Gives a nice balance and I would guess also make it more diverse racially.

No admissions process is without drawbacks but by dividing the pool this way, there is less chance of being gamed.

This is an interesting idea, at least to toss around - presuming, of course, that we're talking about all of these students meeting some sort of minimum evaluation.

We'd just have to make sure that it was NEVER revealed which of the four paths each student took to get to TJ - meaning you'd have to keep any test scores, nominations, etc. secret.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this has been posted yet, but one of the Pacific Legal attorneys testified before the House this morning, and spoke about the anti-Asian sentiments and TJ admissions.

+1

https://www.c-span.org/video/?509938-1/house-judiciary-subcommittee-holds-hearing-discrimination-asian-americans

His testimony starts at about 1:34:00.

Good. So frustrating to read FCPS’s statement against anti Asian discrimination after hearing such discrimination and stereotyping from Brabrand over the summer and fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One possible approach

1. 25% seats to a rigorous testing process. But use something that is a little more difficult to game.

2. 25% pure lottery based on certain cutoffs to GPA.

3. 25% to Teacher/Principal nominations at the local middle school level. Citizenship type activities, etc would likely be rewarded.

4. 25% to those with outstanding Sports/Arts/etc.

Gives a nice balance and I would guess also make it more diverse racially.

No admissions process is without drawbacks but by dividing the pool this way, there is less chance of being gamed.

There could have been many approaches that could work but where was the input sought? It is naive to assume that any eventual solution will not have detractors but at least they would be inclusive in their approach and would not have unleashed the the race-baiting monster we have seen on these boards. But crowdsourcing ideas never got mileage for any politician - our upwordly mobile school board wants the glory of being the ones that pushed through the most radical and progressive change in the history of FCPS. Else why the hurry?

They did have to come up with something this year and an exam wasn't realistically an option given the limitations from COVID. I don't know that community input would have been of great help to creating a sound process given the sort of comments you read on boards like this from the race-baiting status quo monster that you referenced.

[Anonymous]

Yet another pointer to the hypocrisy of this School Board when it comes to diversity and inclusion

https://wjla.com/amp/news/local/fairfax-county-public-schools-academic-calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yet another pointer to the hypocrisy of this School Board when it comes to diversity and inclusion

https://wjla.com/amp/news/local/fairfax-county-public-schools-academic-calendar

Proponents of reform at TJ are also deeply upset by this, as are several members of the School Board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One possible approach

1. 25% seats to a rigorous testing process. But use something that is a little more difficult to game.

2. 25% pure lottery based on certain cutoffs to GPA.

3. 25% to Teacher/Principal nominations at the local middle school level. Citizenship type activities, etc would likely be rewarded.

4. 25% to those with outstanding Sports/Arts/etc.

Gives a nice balance and I would guess also make it more diverse racially.

No admissions process is without drawbacks but by dividing the pool this way, there is less chance of being gamed.

And no, this would not result in TJ retaining its #1 ranking (if there is one), but that is a stupid goal anyway.

Anytime I see someone say "now TJ would lose its #1 ranking", I cringe. Focus on your kid, not the reflected glory of the school on you as a parent. - Indian[/quote

Sounds like you should be in favor of a merit lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yet another pointer to the hypocrisy of this School Board when it comes to diversity and inclusion

https://wjla.com/amp/news/local/fairfax-county-public-schools-academic-calendar

Proponents of reform at TJ are also deeply upset by this, as are several members of the School Board.

Unfortunately we are all upset when we come across a roadkill till we rationalize to ourselves and move on.

These little slights add on. If board members are upset, can we see some of them issue statements and take a stand? Surely this School Board is following what is going on around the country and the sentiment of Asian Americans?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One possible approach

1. 25% seats to a rigorous testing process. But use something that is a little more difficult to game.

2. 25% pure lottery based on certain cutoffs to GPA.

3. 25% to Teacher/Principal nominations at the local middle school level. Citizenship type activities, etc would likely be rewarded.

4. 25% to those with outstanding Sports/Arts/etc.

Gives a nice balance and I would guess also make it more diverse racially.

No admissions process is without drawbacks but by dividing the pool this way, there is less chance of being gamed.

There could have been many approaches that could work but where was the input sought? It is naive to assume that any eventual solution will not have detractors but at least they would be inclusive in their approach and would not have unleashed the the race-baiting monster we have seen on these boards. But crowdsourcing ideas never got mileage for any politician - our upwordly mobile school board wants the glory of being the ones that pushed through the most radical and progressive change in the history of FCPS. Else why the hurry?

They did have to come up with something this year and an exam wasn't realistically an option given the limitations from COVID. I don't know that community input would have been of great help to creating a sound process given the sort of comments you read on boards like this from the race-baiting status quo monster that you referenced.

That was not how it was presented. And to use Covid to sneak in the consideration of "experience factors" to load the deck for URM and against Asians is a bad look.