Reasons why one would not accept TJ offer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

Imaginary?

"FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_High_School_for_Science_and_Technology

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges care ONLY about GPA.

If you think your child cannot land in the top half of the TJ class AND get a 4.0 (w) or above GPA - then avoid TJ.

The overall curriculum at TJ is same as any base HS - they all cover mostly the same courses such as AP Stats, AP Cal A/B or B/C, AP Physics.

Well TJ has been forcefully transformed into being more of a base HS, while the original intent was for it have a much higher curriculum than that of base HS's.

As originally designed, TJ historically drew the attention of exceptional students because those students saw it as their only public school choice to get access to advanced curriculum that went beyond AP levels. These students were not coming to TJ to finish at AP level, but start there and progress further. For instance with math, an academically advanced TJ student historically expected to complete AP calculus BC in freshman/sophomore, MultiVariable & Linear in sophomore/junior, differential & discrete in junior/senior, and adv math techniques & scientific math in senior year. While these courses still exist currently, the enrollment in these courses is very low due to the caliber of admitted class. The middle schools in the past have supported and nurtured exceptional students by providing access to precalculus courses in the middle school itself, allowing them to go far beyond AP level if they chose TJ.

Over the past two decades, the rise of equity and diversity politics in FCPS and other feeder county schools has created roadblocks for these exceptional students in achieving precalculus or calculus by the end of middle school. The maximum access they now have is for Algebra 2 Trig, and even this requires numerous approvals and summer course enrollment. As a result, the pool of top talent entering TJ with trig and, at most, precalculus credits from middle school has been drastically reduced to less than a fifth of the new class. Currently, fewer than a hundred students in a TJ class enroll in courses beyond Multivariable/Linear.

When was this? (From you post, apparently this was 3-4 decades ago. As an FCPS alum myself, I'm not sure I can agree with you on this.)

FWIW, "equity and diversity politics" have only been around for the past 5 years or so. That is not why middle schools do not offer precal classes. (At TJ, 00 freshmen have completed trig/precal and go straight to calculus? Are they all from Loudoun County?)

If you're unaware of FCPS's history of racial quota-based admissions to TJ dating back to the mid-'90s, you were probably not yet born or likely in preschool. Many younger activists are manipulated into thinking they are starting this equity battle anew, to have you take ownership of it, and work for free. Politicians define the battle to their benefit. Activist is merely a pawn in their battle.

There is no such history since it's always been illegal. This is just misinformation spread by some bitter parents with an axe to grind.

Not some bitter parents but majority of FCPS parent community fought back race-based TJ admissions of late nineties. Many hardworking black and hispanic parents also were against undermining individual student effort in favor of skin color. If not for those collaborative efforts, the en masse of HS graduates over past two decades including yourself could not have had fair merit based educational opportunities in various FCPS programs. Show some gratitude.

Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

$20k for Curie? Hard to believe. May be a private tutor that comes home, but Curie cant be costing more than Kumon. Does it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

Imaginary?

"FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_High_School_for_Science_and_Technology

Using local norms to ensure that all schools participate in these programs does not equate to race-based. In fact, it's considered a best-practice in gifted education since not doing this often results in these programs being dominated by schools where parents can afford outside enrichment to the detriment of everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

$20k for Curie? Hard to believe. May be a private tutor that comes home, but Curie cant be costing more than Kumon. Does it?

It's like $5k per class and many start as early as first grade so $20k is just the tip of the iceberg, but it's still a bargain compared to private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

Imaginary?

"FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_High_School_for_Science_and_Technology

Using local norms to ensure that all schools participate in these programs does not equate to race-based. In fact, it's considered a best-practice in gifted education since not doing this often results in these programs being dominated by schools where parents can afford outside enrichment to the detriment of everyone else.

It's illegal to use race as criteria selection for public schools programs. The 4TJ crowd tried to get the SCOTUS to look at this but their case got laughed out of court even by those far-right nutjobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

$20k for Curie? Hard to believe. May be a private tutor that comes home, but Curie cant be costing more than Kumon. Does it?

It's like $5k per class and many start as early as first grade so $20k is just the tip of the iceberg, but it's still a bargain compared to private.

What Curie center does you kid go to? We dont pay anywhere near that amount. Our Curie center charges less than Kumon for two subjects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

Imaginary?

"FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_High_School_for_Science_and_Technology

Using local norms to ensure that all schools participate in these programs does not equate to race-based. In fact, it's considered a best-practice in gifted education since not doing this often results in these programs being dominated by schools where parents can afford outside enrichment to the detriment of everyone else.

It's illegal to use race as criteria selection for public schools programs. The 4TJ crowd tried to get the SCOTUS to look at this but their case got laughed out of court even by those far-right nutjobs.

This mirrors what FCPS lawyers did from 1997 to 2002, when the new board acknowledged their use of race in admissions, revealing the sham of illegal diversity efforts that went on. Disappointed, all of us activists packed up and moved on, looking for the next thing. Some us joined climate change, and other joined Peta. What about you? how much longer on this gig?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

Imaginary?

"FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_High_School_for_Science_and_Technology

That's called affirmative action and for years was good for schools, students, and society as a whole. For an example, look at the Twin Cities in the 90s. Then there were the court cases that dismantled affirmative action which led UT to create its 10% rule (for better or worse) that inspired the new TJ 1.5% admissions process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

Imaginary?

"FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_High_School_for_Science_and_Technology

That's called affirmative action and for years was good for schools, students, and society as a whole. For an example, look at the Twin Cities in the 90s. Then there were the court cases that dismantled affirmative action which led UT to create its 10% rule (for better or worse) that inspired the new TJ 1.5% admissions process.

Are you sure FCPS should follow UT? They just laid off 60 DEI staff. If so, all the staff that you worship would get the axe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

Imaginary?

"FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_High_School_for_Science_and_Technology

That's called affirmative action and for years was good for schools, students, and society as a whole. For an example, look at the Twin Cities in the 90s. Then there were the court cases that dismantled affirmative action which led UT to create its 10% rule (for better or worse) that inspired the new TJ 1.5% admissions process.

Are you sure FCPS should follow UT? They just laid off 60 DEI staff. If so, all the staff that you worship would get the axe.

UT created their 10% rule in the 90s. There are positives and negatives to it, certainly (I grew up in Texas and have personally and know many people who have benefitted or been harmed by it). But TJ is following a decades-old idea, not "DEI".

[Anonymous]

Firstly, most texas universities have 60 to 80% acceptance rates. The 10% rule does play a major role in competitive stem programs at competitive school like UT Austin. Students simply get to choose an easy major. Specifically, there is no comparable situation over there like TJ where an under qualifed math student is "required" to achieve a higher level math beyond their capability to meet minimum graduation, and forced to accept a C or D as normal. That's the inhumane part that's unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges care ONLY about GPA.

If you think your child cannot land in the top half of the TJ class AND get a 4.0 (w) or above GPA - then avoid TJ.

The overall curriculum at TJ is same as any base HS - they all cover mostly the same courses such as AP Stats, AP Cal A/B or B/C, AP Physics.

This is total nonsense. You're not taking multiple semester courses in Bioinformatics or AI or Oceanography at a base school, to say nothing of the senior Techlab experience.

Oceanography, marine bio, etc ...are non rigorous, easy A courses, with no AP prereqs. Thankfully they can slightly mitigate a C or D in other core courses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Firstly, most texas universities have 60 to 80% acceptance rates. The 10% rule does play a major role in competitive stem programs at competitive school like UT Austin. Students simply get to choose an easy major. Specifically, there is no comparable situation over there like TJ where an under qualifed math student is "required" to achieve a higher level math beyond their capability to meet minimum graduation, and forced to accept a C or D as normal. That's the inhumane part that's unacceptable.

This is such a bizarre view of a magnet school. Just baffling.

Also you are really mischaracterizing the effect, both positive and negative, of the Texas rule. That's fine, since you obviously don't live in Texas - but if you aren't familiar with how it has changed the UT system and impacted students all over the state, maybe you shouldn't post about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Oh the imaginary race based admissions again. TJ admissions are race-blind. Further, the majority of the county believes that the more equitable process that allowed all residents to participate not just those that can afford to drop $20k for test answers was a good thing.

Imaginary?

"FCPS created a race-based affirmative action program to admit more black and Hispanic students. The program was in effect for the admissions process for the graduating classes of 1997 through 2002; the county ended it because of legal challenges to similar programs. Following the end of this program, the share of black and Hispanic students at the school decreased from 9.4 percent in 1997–98 to 3.5 percent in 2003–04."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson_High_School_for_Science_and_Technology

Using local norms to ensure that all schools participate in these programs does not equate to race-based. In fact, it's considered a best-practice in gifted education since not doing this often results in these programs being dominated by schools where parents can afford outside enrichment to the detriment of everyone else.

It's illegal to use race as criteria selection for public schools programs. The 4TJ crowd tried to get the SCOTUS to look at this but their case got laughed out of court even by those far-right nutjobs.

Yep, even scotus wouldn't touch their case. It has 0 merit.