TJ admissions decision - repercussions for Class of 2026

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They could just have a lost year. No 2026.

Nope. There was nothing in that ruling that said they had to abandon decisions for this year. It’s next year and beyond that will be changed.

When a party is "enjoined" from something, it doesn't mean next year. It means immediately, unless a stay is issued by the court or a higher court stays the ruling in some fashion. Federal judges are not known for their sense of humor on these points. And federal courts don't just wait around til "next year" to see if you'll maybe, possibly, pretty please address the unconstitutional harm that you have caused.

FCPS cannot use that admissions system unless the 4th Circuit steps in. And the Circuit Court of Appeals will not do so until asked to by FCPS, which even then is not a given and will likely take some time. At this point, FCPS will need to come up with an alternative process regardless unless they wish risking contempt charges. FCPS is running out of time on all fronts.

I feel for the kids involved in this process.

There is no doubt in my mind that FCPS will request a stay of the injunction from the 4th circuit while an appeal works through the system, which should allow them to select the Class of 2026. The policy surrounding the admissions process currently requires the Admissions Office to release decisions on or before April 30th, which would be used as justification for the stay of the injunction. The vast majority of that work is already done. Whether or not that stay is granted by the 4th circuit is another story.

Interestingly, Judge Hilton in his order did not specify what process needed to be used for admissions - merely that the previous process could not be used. He went into no detail about which aspects of the process were enjoined, as far as I read. Technically speaking, any change in the admissions process, no matter how minor, would be enough to satisfy that requirement by the letter of the ruling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They could just have a lost year. No 2026.

Nope. There was nothing in that ruling that said they had to abandon decisions for this year. It’s next year and beyond that will be changed.

When a party is "enjoined" from something, it doesn't mean next year. It means immediately, unless a stay is issued by the court or a higher court stays the ruling in some fashion. Federal judges are not known for their sense of humor on these points. And federal courts don't just wait around til "next year" to see if you'll maybe, possibly, pretty please address the unconstitutional harm that you have caused.

FCPS cannot use that admissions system unless the 4th Circuit steps in. And the Circuit Court of Appeals will not do so until asked to by FCPS, which even then is not a given and will likely take some time. At this point, FCPS will need to come up with an alternative process regardless unless they wish risking contempt charges. FCPS is running out of time on all fronts.

I feel for the kids involved in this process.

This is thoughtful.

Could the school board just announce a new process or would they need to go through the normal steps of public comment, community engagement etc?

I agree that they are running out of time.

There is significant precedent for a speedy resolution for a stay of an injunction. As long as the case remains with the 4th Circuit, which it would for some time, they would have jurisdiction to issue the stay quickly so that the process could continue for 2026.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They could just have a lost year. No 2026.

Nope. There was nothing in that ruling that said they had to abandon decisions for this year. It’s next year and beyond that will be changed.

When a party is "enjoined" from something, it doesn't mean next year. It means immediately, unless a stay is issued by the court or a higher court stays the ruling in some fashion. Federal judges are not known for their sense of humor on these points. And federal courts don't just wait around til "next year" to see if you'll maybe, possibly, pretty please address the unconstitutional harm that you have caused.

FCPS cannot use that admissions system unless the 4th Circuit steps in. And the Circuit Court of Appeals will not do so until asked to by FCPS, which even then is not a given and will likely take some time. At this point, FCPS will need to come up with an alternative process regardless unless they wish risking contempt charges. FCPS is running out of time on all fronts.

I feel for the kids involved in this process.

This is thoughtful.

Could the school board just announce a new process or would they need to go through the normal steps of public comment, community engagement etc?

I agree that they are running out of time.

There is significant precedent for a speedy resolution for a stay of an injunction. As long as the case remains with the 4th Circuit, which it would for some time, they would have jurisdiction to issue the stay quickly so that the process could continue for 2026.

Dream on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They could just have a lost year. No 2026.

Nope. There was nothing in that ruling that said they had to abandon decisions for this year. It’s next year and beyond that will be changed.

When a party is "enjoined" from something, it doesn't mean next year. It means immediately, unless a stay is issued by the court or a higher court stays the ruling in some fashion. Federal judges are not known for their sense of humor on these points. And federal courts don't just wait around til "next year" to see if you'll maybe, possibly, pretty please address the unconstitutional harm that you have caused.

FCPS cannot use that admissions system unless the 4th Circuit steps in. And the Circuit Court of Appeals will not do so until asked to by FCPS, which even then is not a given and will likely take some time. At this point, FCPS will need to come up with an alternative process regardless unless they wish risking contempt charges. FCPS is running out of time on all fronts.

I feel for the kids involved in this process.

This is thoughtful.

Could the school board just announce a new process or would they need to go through the normal steps of public comment, community engagement etc?

I agree that they are running out of time.

There is significant precedent for a speedy resolution for a stay of an injunction. As long as the case remains with the 4th Circuit, which it would for some time, they would have jurisdiction to issue the stay quickly so that the process could continue for 2026.

Dream on.

That's what these so called liberals insisted when the lawsuits were filed. No way Jose would the plaintiffs win. Mocking them every step of the way. Who's laughing now?

Check out what happened to Berkeley when they asked the SCT of CA for a stay of CA Ct of Appeals' order that affirmed lower court's order to cut freshmen admissions by more than 35% this year when the decisions will be going out next month. CA Ct of Appeals said no and now CA Sup Ct said no.

https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2022/03/uc-berkeley-enrollment-cap/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They could just have a lost year. No 2026.

Nope. There was nothing in that ruling that said they had to abandon decisions for this year. It’s next year and beyond that will be changed.

When a party is "enjoined" from something, it doesn't mean next year. It means immediately, unless a stay is issued by the court or a higher court stays the ruling in some fashion. Federal judges are not known for their sense of humor on these points. And federal courts don't just wait around til "next year" to see if you'll maybe, possibly, pretty please address the unconstitutional harm that you have caused.

FCPS cannot use that admissions system unless the 4th Circuit steps in. And the Circuit Court of Appeals will not do so until asked to by FCPS, which even then is not a given and will likely take some time. At this point, FCPS will need to come up with an alternative process regardless unless they wish risking contempt charges. FCPS is running out of time on all fronts.

I feel for the kids involved in this process.

This is thoughtful.

Could the school board just announce a new process or would they need to go through the normal steps of public comment, community engagement etc?

I agree that they are running out of time.

There is significant precedent for a speedy resolution for a stay of an injunction. As long as the case remains with the 4th Circuit, which it would for some time, they would have jurisdiction to issue the stay quickly so that the process could continue for 2026.

Dream on.

That's what these so called liberals insisted when the lawsuits were filed. No way Jose would the plaintiffs win. Mocking them every step of the way. Who's laughing now?

Check out what happened to Berkeley when they asked the SCT of CA for a stay of CA Ct of Appeals' order that affirmed lower court's order to cut freshmen admissions by more than 35% this year when the decisions will be going out next month. CA Ct of Appeals said no and now CA Sup Ct said no.

https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2022/03/uc-berkeley-enrollment-cap/

That Berkeley case is a real head-shaker. Here we have the "we are superior because we are more college-educated" liberals using an environmental protection law of all things to limit the number of students that a top university can educate. This shows you the dangers of unintended consequences when it comes to overly complex administrative law. Maybe they can negotiate a settlement for the reduction to get phased in for future years so that this decision wouldn't be so life-changing to thousands of students.

This is what happens when a group of people have no rational foundational basis for their thought and everything is a reaction to triggered feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They could just have a lost year. No 2026.

Nope. There was nothing in that ruling that said they had to abandon decisions for this year. It’s next year and beyond that will be changed.

When a party is "enjoined" from something, it doesn't mean next year. It means immediately, unless a stay is issued by the court or a higher court stays the ruling in some fashion. Federal judges are not known for their sense of humor on these points. And federal courts don't just wait around til "next year" to see if you'll maybe, possibly, pretty please address the unconstitutional harm that you have caused.

FCPS cannot use that admissions system unless the 4th Circuit steps in. And the Circuit Court of Appeals will not do so until asked to by FCPS, which even then is not a given and will likely take some time. At this point, FCPS will need to come up with an alternative process regardless unless they wish risking contempt charges. FCPS is running out of time on all fronts.

I feel for the kids involved in this process.

This is thoughtful.

Could the school board just announce a new process or would they need to go through the normal steps of public comment, community engagement etc?

I agree that they are running out of time.

There is significant precedent for a speedy resolution for a stay of an injunction. As long as the case remains with the 4th Circuit, which it would for some time, they would have jurisdiction to issue the stay quickly so that the process could continue for 2026.

Dream on.

That's what these so called liberals insisted when the lawsuits were filed. No way Jose would the plaintiffs win. Mocking them every step of the way. Who's laughing now?

Check out what happened to Berkeley when they asked the SCT of CA for a stay of CA Ct of Appeals' order that affirmed lower court's order to cut freshmen admissions by more than 35% this year when the decisions will be going out next month. CA Ct of Appeals said no and now CA Sup Ct said no.

https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2022/03/uc-berkeley-enrollment-cap/

That Berkeley case is a real head-shaker. Here we have the "we are superior because we are more college-educated" liberals using an environmental protection law of all things to limit the number of students that a top university can educate. This shows you the dangers of unintended consequences when it comes to overly complex administrative law. Maybe they can negotiate a settlement for the reduction to get phased in for future years so that this decision wouldn't be so life-changing to thousands of students.

This is what happens when a group of people have no rational foundational basis for their thought and everything is a reaction to triggered feelings.

The leader of the neighborhood group is a know anti-asian hater. He doesn't like that Berkeley is around 45% asian students. People still claim oh asians are "privileged" with a straight face.

[Anonymous]

What happened at the "secret" fairfax school board meeting that was held recently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happened at the "secret" fairfax school board meeting that was held recently?

It's probably a secret.

[Anonymous]

Looks like the HB-127 just passed the Senate Education Committee. This already passed the House couple weeks ago and the Governor said he will sign it so it just needs to pass in the full Senate. Democrats have a slight edge with 21-19.

Looks like the fairfax SB and Mr. Bra brand is not having a great week. Lost a federal court case and now on the verge of being humiliated by the Legislature and the Governor.

"HB 127 Academic year Governor's Schools; certain practices prohibited, permitted, and required.

03/03/22 Senate: Reported from Education and Health with substitute (10-Y 5-N)"

https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?221+vot+S04V0256+HB0127

[Anonymous]

Only one thing to say to these great white leaders of the great FCPS:

"Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?
Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's another thread where folks can debate the merits of the old and new admissions policy, level accusations of racism, etc. As the parent of a current applicant, what I want to know is what is likely to happen to the current applicants (the Class of 2026), who started the process months ago? There isn't realistically time to start a whole new admissions process. Isn't the thing to do to eliminate the experience factors (i.e. bonus points for being economically disadvantaged, an English language learner, or attending a historically underrepresented school) and evaluate the current applicants based on the remaining factors (i.e. GPA, student portrait sheet, problem-solving essay)?

Just got this email-

Dear TJHSST Applicants & Parents/Guardians,

We are reaching out to clarify, as best we can at this stage, the current situation regarding the Class of 2026 application process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in the light of the recent court ruling.

While many questions remain unanswered at this point, we wanted to let our prospective applicants and their families know that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will be requesting a “stay” in anticipation of an appeal regarding the judge’s ruling that invalidated the existing application process.

If the “stay” request is granted, it gives us time to formulate an approach that we hope will allow the current evaluation of applicants to be completed in line with the existing process and anticipated release deadline of April 29th.

We are aware that failure to grant the request to “stay” would cause you undue uncertainty. Applicants have met the stringent minimum academic criteria for application, including a GPA of 3.5 or above, along with enrollment in honors level courses. While also completing the short answer/essay responses for the Student Portrait Sheet and Problem-Solving Essay.

The students accepted to the Class of 2025 using this process have proven that increasing diversity in the school has not led to a drop in academic standards.

Fairfax County School Board believes the ruling is not supported by law and is considering all options around an appeal. We believe that our current application process will eventually be proven to meet all legal requirements.

As developments unfold in this matter, we will be sure to reach out again as soon as we have an update for you. In the meantime, we want to thank everyone in the TJ community for your patience and understanding at this time.

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's another thread where folks can debate the merits of the old and new admissions policy, level accusations of racism, etc. As the parent of a current applicant, what I want to know is what is likely to happen to the current applicants (the Class of 2026), who started the process months ago? There isn't realistically time to start a whole new admissions process. Isn't the thing to do to eliminate the experience factors (i.e. bonus points for being economically disadvantaged, an English language learner, or attending a historically underrepresented school) and evaluate the current applicants based on the remaining factors (i.e. GPA, student portrait sheet, problem-solving essay)?

Just got this email-

Dear TJHSST Applicants & Parents/Guardians,

We are reaching out to clarify, as best we can at this stage, the current situation regarding the Class of 2026 application process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in the light of the recent court ruling.

While many questions remain unanswered at this point, we wanted to let our prospective applicants and their families know that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will be requesting a “stay” in anticipation of an appeal regarding the judge’s ruling that invalidated the existing application process.

If the “stay” request is granted, it gives us time to formulate an approach that we hope will allow the current evaluation of applicants to be completed in line with the existing process and anticipated release deadline of April 29th.

We are aware that failure to grant the request to “stay” would cause you undue uncertainty. Applicants have met the stringent minimum academic criteria for application, including a GPA of 3.5 or above, along with enrollment in honors level courses. While also completing the short answer/essay responses for the Student Portrait Sheet and Problem-Solving Essay.

The students accepted to the Class of 2025 using this process have proven that increasing diversity in the school has not led to a drop in academic standards.

Fairfax County School Board believes the ruling is not supported by law and is considering all options around an appeal. We believe that our current application process will eventually be proven to meet all legal requirements.

As developments unfold in this matter, we will be sure to reach out again as soon as we have an update for you. In the meantime, we want to thank everyone in the TJ community for your patience and understanding at this time.

Regards,

Digging in with the discrimination.

Asians are just asking for a level playing field. Now even the white majority are getting affirmative action benefits. Shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's another thread where folks can debate the merits of the old and new admissions policy, level accusations of racism, etc. As the parent of a current applicant, what I want to know is what is likely to happen to the current applicants (the Class of 2026), who started the process months ago? There isn't realistically time to start a whole new admissions process. Isn't the thing to do to eliminate the experience factors (i.e. bonus points for being economically disadvantaged, an English language learner, or attending a historically underrepresented school) and evaluate the current applicants based on the remaining factors (i.e. GPA, student portrait sheet, problem-solving essay)?

Just got this email-

Dear TJHSST Applicants & Parents/Guardians,

We are reaching out to clarify, as best we can at this stage, the current situation regarding the Class of 2026 application process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in the light of the recent court ruling.

While many questions remain unanswered at this point, we wanted to let our prospective applicants and their families know that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will be requesting a “stay” in anticipation of an appeal regarding the judge’s ruling that invalidated the existing application process.

If the “stay” request is granted, it gives us time to formulate an approach that we hope will allow the current evaluation of applicants to be completed in line with the existing process and anticipated release deadline of April 29th.

We are aware that failure to grant the request to “stay” would cause you undue uncertainty. Applicants have met the stringent minimum academic criteria for application, including a GPA of 3.5 or above, along with enrollment in honors level courses. While also completing the short answer/essay responses for the Student Portrait Sheet and Problem-Solving Essay.

The students accepted to the Class of 2025 using this process have proven that increasing diversity in the school has not led to a drop in academic standards.

Fairfax County School Board believes the ruling is not supported by law and is considering all options around an appeal. We believe that our current application process will eventually be proven to meet all legal requirements.

As developments unfold in this matter, we will be sure to reach out again as soon as we have an update for you. In the meantime, we want to thank everyone in the TJ community for your patience and understanding at this time.

Regards,

Applications are already down compared to last year (Class of 2025) and I wouldn't be surprised if other kids pull their applications now and sign up for courses at neighborhood schools that are good and, even better, free from all the constant TJ drama. Do kids really want to attend a school knowing that they'd be getting in pursuant to a process that a judge has already said is discriminatory? Yuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's another thread where folks can debate the merits of the old and new admissions policy, level accusations of racism, etc. As the parent of a current applicant, what I want to know is what is likely to happen to the current applicants (the Class of 2026), who started the process months ago? There isn't realistically time to start a whole new admissions process. Isn't the thing to do to eliminate the experience factors (i.e. bonus points for being economically disadvantaged, an English language learner, or attending a historically underrepresented school) and evaluate the current applicants based on the remaining factors (i.e. GPA, student portrait sheet, problem-solving essay)?

Just got this email-

Dear TJHSST Applicants & Parents/Guardians,

We are reaching out to clarify, as best we can at this stage, the current situation regarding the Class of 2026 application process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in the light of the recent court ruling.

While many questions remain unanswered at this point, we wanted to let our prospective applicants and their families know that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will be requesting a “stay” in anticipation of an appeal regarding the judge’s ruling that invalidated the existing application process.

If the “stay” request is granted, it gives us time to formulate an approach that we hope will allow the current evaluation of applicants to be completed in line with the existing process and anticipated release deadline of April 29th.

We are aware that failure to grant the request to “stay” would cause you undue uncertainty. Applicants have met the stringent minimum academic criteria for application, including a GPA of 3.5 or above, along with enrollment in honors level courses. While also completing the short answer/essay responses for the Student Portrait Sheet and Problem-Solving Essay.

The students accepted to the Class of 2025 using this process have proven that increasing diversity in the school has not led to a drop in academic standards.

Fairfax County School Board believes the ruling is not supported by law and is considering all options around an appeal. We believe that our current application process will eventually be proven to meet all legal requirements.

As developments unfold in this matter, we will be sure to reach out again as soon as we have an update for you. In the meantime, we want to thank everyone in the TJ community for your patience and understanding at this time.

Regards,

The stay has been requested:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/03/04/fairfax-requests-stay-tj-admissions/

[Anonymous]

"'failure to grant this would cause significant operational disruptions for TJ ahead of the next school year, including hiring decisions, course selections, teaching assignments and the development of curriculum'”

This doesn’t make sense to me. Is FCPS thinking about shutting down TJ? The students are academically of the same caliber under the new system. Why would there be much difference to hiring decisions, course selections, teaching assignments, and curriculum, esp for 9th grade classes?