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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am also curious why the PP thinks new admissions locate the kids with aptitude. No aptitude test, no teacher recs, and consideration of hardship factors that have no bearing on STEM aptitude.

Because the old system favored students who were prepped up the wazooo, whereas the new one just looks at ability.

Name how it looks at “ability.” The gpa threshold is not hard compared the readiness needed for the current TJ.

It doesn't penalize kids who aren't rich enough to live in the boundary of higher-rated schools which seem to also correspond with prep

Hmm hard to buy that since there are two MS that consistently send more kids than most of the others combined.

[Anonymous]

When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

If it's based on population then sure why not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curie got 50ish kids in for the class of 2022, 70ish kids for the class of 2023 and a whopping 133 kids in for the class of 2024. They published first and last names of the kids on their FB page.

The prep industry in NVa is a very competitive market. Curie has been around a long time. Jumping from 50 to 133 admissions in two years raises some eyebrows. Then add to that with multiple current TJ students stating in public forums (including the FB group TJ vents) that they had a copy of the test.

I personally am not against prep and giving your child the best possible shot. But the above severely undercuts the “merit” arguments.

The increase in numbers could be self-selecting kids being attracted to Curie's success and thereby increasing their numbers.

On the spectrum or zero prep to full-on 3 year prep, we fall in the low-prep category. We considered Curie and found the methods distasteful (the teacher yelling at kids, calling them fools for now knowing answers to some questions, etc.) and did not go with them. DC was not interested in any prep after seeing these classes but with some summer classes offered by FCPS and online books, got into TJ.

Having read DCUM around that time, I was waiting for all the 'prepped robots" that join TJ to fail. To the contrary, it was my DC that was having trouble with the sudden, new rigor and struggled Freshman year before he found ins hearings. All the prepped kids who made it were well prepared for the rigor and once Freshman year passed, everyone adapted and the rigor became part of their life.

Remember, only a certain percentage of the kids that prep make it into TJ. The vast majority of them would have gotten in anyways. The minority that are on the border (kids that might not have made it without prep) still learn how to handle course rigor at TJ. Don't have specific numbers but I'd say about 2/3rd of the kids at these schools don't get into TJ.

Same goes for all the schools - Curie, MyTJPrep, Sunshine (Mostly Chinese kids), Kate Dalby (mostly White kids. DCUM calls that "enrichment" because, you know, only Asians "prep" and White kids "enrich") and a whole bunch of other schools. The subtle racism here is staggering.

Here's a challenge for anyone here hiding behind anonymity and casting aspersions on an entire community. If you have the bal*s, please write an op-ed somewhere, anywhere, with your name on it accusing Curie of "test-fixing". Please! Please! I want to see your ass slapped with a big lawsuit. If not, STFU and slink away, losers.

In all seriousness, what would be the point of writing such an op-ed? I and others have already said many times that while what they did was highly immoral and rightly contributed to the end of the TJ exam, none of it was illegal. There's no investigation to be had and the only impact of it would be to make even MORE public the names of the kids who were assisted by their methods.

We are winning. We don't need to publish op-eds or file lawsuits.

What's going on now is just slander by cowardly, anonymous voices who are too afraid to put their names to the accusation because if they do, they will be slapped with a lawsuit. THAT would be the point. Don't worry about having the kids' name exposed even more. They don't care, nor do their parents.

Would be interesting to see how this year's admissions turn out. I honestly hope all the admitted kids succeed. At the end of the day, all deserving kids need a school like TJ to be available. What pisses me off is the accusation that some kids are not, just because they belong to a certain group and put in the effort to be better prepared.

You didn't answer the question. What would be the motivation for someone like me to put an op-ed in the paper at this point? All of the people who need to know about what happened at Curie already know it and the die has been cast. I have nothing to gain from doing so. The only reason to continue to bring it up is to show how problematic the old admissions process - which had an exam graded on a curve as a barrier to entry - was because people insist on continuing to defend it.

When people stop defending it, I'll shut up about it.

We know why you WON't do it. You are scared and a coward. Even if the outcome hadn't been what ended up happening I bet you wouldn't have put your name behind the accusation in public.

No one is defending Curie. Go ahead and burn down their building and I could care less. What I'm taking offense to is the characterization of an entire subset of people negatively.

Long term, this does not matter. However, every URM kid coming out of TJ and other higher institutions of learning will be looked upon with suspicion as to their credentials and will have to prove themselves over and over. It is so unfair, but that's their cross to bear thanks to people like you.

This is pretty laughable when folks on this board spend years claiming that kids from underrepresented groups won't be able to hack it at TJ.

We're all anonymous here. People come to this board for honest feedback on things because of the anonymity. Don't claim to sit on some high horse just because I am too.

So you ARE Ok with using stereotypes to ridicule others but not when it comes to your "kind"? How about you teach your kids to wear their pants at their waist instead of around their legs? before they aspire for TJ. I got more if you want to play this game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

If it's based on population then sure why not

+1

This seems like a good plan, and it’s actually used in other states. It wouldn’t be only the top 10, that would just be a minimum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

If it's based on population then sure why not

+1

This seems like a good plan, and it’s actually used in other states. It wouldn’t be only the top 10, that would just be a minimum.

Why would it be based on population? It is based on a simple quota. Number of spots available divided by the number of counties. Simple and “equitable”. Dare I say, Lenin would have been proud?

And to the reader who says this works in other states - which ones? So that we know who we are trying to emulate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

If it's based on population then sure why not

+1

This seems like a good plan, and it’s actually used in other states. It wouldn’t be only the top 10, that would just be a minimum.

Why would it be based on population? It is based on a simple quota. Number of spots available divided by the number of counties. Simple and “equitable”. Dare I say, Lenin would have been proud?

And to the reader who says this works in other states - which ones? So that we know who we are trying to emulate?

Statistics suggest that all places have equal numbers of smart people as opposed to wealthy kids with access to prep so ya population seems fair as does the changes to TJ admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

Deep breaths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Exactly! It is nonsense since the school board is only leveling the playing field in an effort to eliminate a toxic environment created by students who were pushed and prepped to the extreme by misguided parents. Their new system is so much better since it favors aptitude not prep.

aptitude: noun: a natural ability to do something.

preparation: noun: the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.

The person who wrote this is so mentally confused as to not even realize how ridiculous the left's position has become. Whereas they traditionally favored the idea that your fate is in your hands, they're now arguing that it should be all based on some kind of innate ability. (They're probably too stupid to even realize this contradiction.)

DP. OK, but nova keeps voting for this approach. Again and again. And, spoiler alert ... it will again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

If it's based on population then sure why not

+1

This seems like a good plan, and it’s actually used in other states. It wouldn’t be only the top 10, that would just be a minimum.

Why would it be based on population? It is based on a simple quota. Number of spots available divided by the number of counties. Simple and “equitable”. Dare I say, Lenin would have been proud?

And to the reader who says this works in other states - which ones? So that we know who we are trying to emulate?

Statistics suggest that all places have equal numbers of smart people as opposed to wealthy kids with access to prep so ya population seems fair as does the changes to TJ admission.

Of course. That thinking formed the bedrock of the Bolshevik Revolution. Inequitable progress in societies is purely a function of opportunity and not motivation. If you serve equal portions to everyone on a platter - you will get equitable progress. Noble ideas but impractical. History shows that most proponents of such overtly noble initiatives are actually driven by insidious self-serving agendas masked as do-goodery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

If it's based on population then sure why not

+1

This seems like a good plan, and it’s actually used in other states. It wouldn’t be only the top 10, that would just be a minimum.

Why would it be based on population? It is based on a simple quota. Number of spots available divided by the number of counties. Simple and “equitable”. Dare I say, Lenin would have been proud?

And to the reader who says this works in other states - which ones? So that we know who we are trying to emulate?

Statistics suggest that all places have equal numbers of smart people as opposed to wealthy kids with access to prep so ya population seems fair as does the changes to TJ admission.

Of course. That thinking formed the bedrock of the Bolshevik Revolution. Inequitable progress in societies is purely a function of opportunity and not motivation. If you serve equal portions to everyone on a platter - you will get equitable progress. Noble ideas but impractical. History shows that most proponents of such overtly noble initiatives are actually driven by insidious self-serving agendas masked as do-goodery.

Unforutnately, these are not analogous situations even by a long shot. The difference is some kids can afford to prep their way into TJ while other cannot. This is why you have certain MS sending the lions share of students. There are plenty of smart kids everywhere. This is also public school which should benefit everyone not just wealthy elite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When this system takes off, Qarni and team will use the same principles for state universities in Virginia. The top 10 students from each county in Virginia will get into UVA. So Fairfax county and Scott county will get the top 10 students in. SAT will not count as everybody knows kids in rich NoVa prep for SATs. And APs will not be considered as only rich school districts offer APs which is unfair to others. And any activities that are not available across all school districts can’t and won’t be considered as that would favor a few. Oh - the SJWs have unleashed the genie and it is coming for them...

If it's based on population then sure why not

+1

This seems like a good plan, and it’s actually used in other states. It wouldn’t be only the top 10, that would just be a minimum.

Why would it be based on population? It is based on a simple quota. Number of spots available divided by the number of counties. Simple and “equitable”. Dare I say, Lenin would have been proud?

And to the reader who says this works in other states - which ones? So that we know who we are trying to emulate?

Statistics suggest that all places have equal numbers of smart people as opposed to wealthy kids with access to prep so ya population seems fair as does the changes to TJ admission.

Of course. That thinking formed the bedrock of the Bolshevik Revolution. Inequitable progress in societies is purely a function of opportunity and not motivation. If you serve equal portions to everyone on a platter - you will get equitable progress. Noble ideas but impractical. History shows that most proponents of such overtly noble initiatives are actually driven by insidious self-serving agendas masked as do-goodery.

Unforutnately, these are not analogous situations even by a long shot. The difference is some kids can afford to prep their way into TJ while other cannot. This is why you have certain MS sending the lions share of students. There are plenty of smart kids everywhere. This is also public school which should benefit everyone not just wealthy elite.

Yes, they're using a strawman to support their point and yes it has no bearing. Public money should benefit the public not just elites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Unforutnately, these are not analogous situations even by a long shot. The difference is some kids can afford to prep their way into TJ while other cannot. This is why you have certain MS sending the lions share of students. There are plenty of smart kids everywhere. This is also public school which should benefit everyone not just wealthy elite.

What fraction of kids currently accepted to TJ do you think got in due to prepping and not due to merit? It looks like a good chunk of those Curie kids are from Loudoun and thus were never competing for Fairfax slots to TJ, and many of those kids probably elected to go to one of the Loudoun magnets.

Longfellow, Carson, and Rocky Run aren't sending so many kids because everyone is a wealthy elite who prepped for the TJ test. Many people who prioritize education specifically chose those pyramids just for the schools, even if they had to sacrifice other things to be able to afford it. Longfellow typically has amazing scores on AMC 10. There truly are a lot of very smart kids there.

None of the new plan boosters seem willing to answer the very simple question I've posted numerous times in this thread. In the new system, exactly how will they find the smart kids at every school who would benefit from TJ? By my understanding, they have GPA and an essay to use. Many middle schools have 50+ kids per grade with perfect 4.0s, and this will only get worse because teachers won't want to deal with the fallout of giving someone an A- or B+ and "ruining the kid's TJ chances." It sounds like kids in Geometry or Algebra II won't get any advantage in selection over kids in Algebra I. Many kids with 4.0s are bright, but nothing that special. With the bar so low and information so sparse, how will the selection committee have any idea which kids to pick?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Unforutnately, these are not analogous situations even by a long shot. The difference is some kids can afford to prep their way into TJ while other cannot. This is why you have certain MS sending the lions share of students. There are plenty of smart kids everywhere. This is also public school which should benefit everyone not just wealthy elite.

What fraction of kids currently accepted to TJ do you think got in due to prepping and not due to merit? It looks like a good chunk of those Curie kids are from Loudoun and thus were never competing for Fairfax slots to TJ, and many of those kids probably elected to go to one of the Loudoun magnets.

Longfellow, Carson, and Rocky Run aren't sending so many kids because everyone is a wealthy elite who prepped for the TJ test. Many people who prioritize education specifically chose those pyramids just for the schools, even if they had to sacrifice other things to be able to afford it. Longfellow typically has amazing scores on AMC 10. There truly are a lot of very smart kids there.

None of the new plan boosters seem willing to answer the very simple question I've posted numerous times in this thread. In the new system, exactly how will they find the smart kids at every school who would benefit from TJ? By my understanding, they have GPA and an essay to use. Many middle schools have 50+ kids per grade with perfect 4.0s, and this will only get worse because teachers won't want to deal with the fallout of giving someone an A- or B+ and "ruining the kid's TJ chances." It sounds like kids in Geometry or Algebra II won't get any advantage in selection over kids in Algebra I. Many kids with 4.0s are bright, but nothing that special. With the bar so low and information so sparse, how will the selection committee have any idea which kids to pick?

They will use race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Unforutnately, these are not analogous situations even by a long shot. The difference is some kids can afford to prep their way into TJ while other cannot. This is why you have certain MS sending the lions share of students. There are plenty of smart kids everywhere. This is also public school which should benefit everyone not just wealthy elite.

What fraction of kids currently accepted to TJ do you think got in due to prepping and not due to merit? It looks like a good chunk of those Curie kids are from Loudoun and thus were never competing for Fairfax slots to TJ, and many of those kids probably elected to go to one of the Loudoun magnets.

Longfellow, Carson, and Rocky Run aren't sending so many kids because everyone is a wealthy elite who prepped for the TJ test. Many people who prioritize education specifically chose those pyramids just for the schools, even if they had to sacrifice other things to be able to afford it. Longfellow typically has amazing scores on AMC 10. There truly are a lot of very smart kids there.

None of the new plan boosters seem willing to answer the very simple question I've posted numerous times in this thread. In the new system, exactly how will they find the smart kids at every school who would benefit from TJ? By my understanding, they have GPA and an essay to use. Many middle schools have 50+ kids per grade with perfect 4.0s, and this will only get worse because teachers won't want to deal with the fallout of giving someone an A- or B+ and "ruining the kid's TJ chances." It sounds like kids in Geometry or Algebra II won't get any advantage in selection over kids in Algebra I. Many kids with 4.0s are bright, but nothing that special. With the bar so low and information so sparse, how will the selection committee have any idea which kids to pick?

This post displays very clearly why the old admissions process needed to be replaced.