Lawsuit against TJ admissions changes

[Anonymous]

We knew it was coming. Will this change anything the school board
decides?


https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2020/11/lawsuit-challenges-admissions-changes-at-elite-public-school/

[Anonymous]

Is this lawsuit funded by conservatives who want to destroy education and public schools too, like the Harvard lawsuit was?

The Harvard case was funded by Heritage / DeVos types, and argued by a Heritage lawyer.

This case is a trifecta for rightwing billionaires, who find it politically useful to harm
public schools (to shrink government to cut taxes on the rich), useful to damage education at all levels as with Harvard (because education makes people vote against their party, see Trump “I love the poorly educated”), and useful to inflame racial division (because the billionaires’ voters are vast majority white people and the Democrats depend on a coalition across races).

I saw that at least one conservative group had filed an amicus brief, but I didn’t see who was paying for or arguing the lawsuit.

[Anonymous]

They at least hired a real law firm, but it's still mostly a publicity stunt. You can tell by the way the complaint unnecessarily details the jobs of the parents, as if that's somehow relevant to who attends TJ. Note: It isn't; it's just PR about how uniquely hard-working and "deserving" these Asian parents think of themselves and their children.

The most significant claim is that VA law requires admissions to Governor's Schools to be based, at least in part, on the type of test that FCPS decided to eliminate this year (although the exigencies of Covid-19 may provide an out there for FCPS). Also, it's not clear any of the plaintiffs (middle school students) would actually have standing until they've been turned down from TJ, which hasn't happened yet.

And if the plaintiffs made any headway, FCPS could just decide to turn TJ back into a local school. A court isn't going to force a county school board to operate one of its schools as a Governor's School. But perhaps that's what they really want - if TJ can't continue to serve 70-75% test-prepped Asian kids primarily from three middle schools, they'll do what they can to make sure the magnet program gets shut down entirely.

[Anonymous]

I read another article where they interviewed some of the plaintiffs and included parents who were upset that their kids who had been prepping for the entrance exam for a while might not get a shot. One parent moved to VA when the kid was a baby thinking he wanted the kid to go to TJ. In other words, they are proving the stereotypes right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this lawsuit funded by conservatives who want to destroy education and public schools too, like the Harvard lawsuit was?

The Harvard case was funded by Heritage / DeVos types, and argued by a Heritage lawyer.

This case is a trifecta for rightwing billionaires, who find it politically useful to harm
public schools (to shrink government to cut taxes on the rich), useful to damage education at all levels as with Harvard (because education makes people vote against their party, see Trump “I love the poorly educated”), and useful to inflame racial division (because the billionaires’ voters are vast majority white people and the Democrats depend on a coalition across races).

I saw that at least one conservative group had filed an amicus brief, but I didn’t see who was paying for or arguing the lawsuit.[/quote

I see you have drunk the liberal Koolaid but before you post such wild accusations next time you might want to do some fact checking first. And ask yourself. WHY would conservatives want to destroy higher education and public education in America? You list all credibility at yesterday pint. You might also want to read up on the Harvard case in wiki since you have that all wrong too. And the TJ situation is about liberals trying to destroy TJ by takjj in my action to change the status quo on which many families have relied. There is no “ action” here by conservatives to do anything! It’s time to tone down the rhetoric and return to facts not screaming liberal claims which make no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read another article where they interviewed some of the plaintiffs and included parents who were upset that their kids who had been prepping for the entrance exam for a while might not get a shot. One parent moved to VA when the kid was a baby thinking he wanted the kid to go to TJ. In other words, they are proving the stereotypes right.

It really is sad. They don’t even realize what they’re saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read another article where they interviewed some of the plaintiffs and included parents who were upset that their kids who had been prepping for the entrance exam for a while might not get a shot. One parent moved to VA when the kid was a baby thinking he wanted the kid to go to TJ. In other words, they are proving the stereotypes right.

It really is sad. They don’t even realize what they’re saying.

This. They moved in 2009 because of tj. The kid is a 7th grader. He’s likely 12.
We have have a family friend who did this. Their daughter is a freshman there now. It was their goal since she was 2. Nearly every minute of the child’s life has been structured:
- piano
- athletic practices/games
- tj prep classes
- enrichment classes
- writing classes
- academic competitions

Etc. imagine that every since weekend and weeknight for a decade. One two week vacation each year and the rest was some commitment all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read another article where they interviewed some of the plaintiffs and included parents who were upset that their kids who had been prepping for the entrance exam for a while might not get a shot. One parent moved to VA when the kid was a baby thinking he wanted the kid to go to TJ. In other words, they are proving the stereotypes right.

It really is sad. They don’t even realize what they’re saying.

This. They moved in 2009 because of tj. The kid is a 7th grader. He’s likely 12.
We have have a family friend who did this. Their daughter is a freshman there now. It was their goal since she was 2. Nearly every minute of the child’s life has been structured:
- piano
- athletic practices/games
- tj prep classes
- enrichment classes
- writing classes
- academic competitions

Etc. imagine that every since weekend and weeknight for a decade. One two week vacation each year and the rest was some commitment all the time.

This is a bit part of the stress and anxiety issue at TJ. I have a kid there now. She did not work since age 2 like that to get in. But many, many, many, kids did and then when they get there, the parent pressure to not just do well but to do better than every other kid there is too much for many of them. People, especially here, like to stomp on TJ for the toxic culture. It certainly exists, but it isn't every kid. I for one am happy that in addition to helping with diversity, these changes are hopefully going to eat away at the toxic parent-induced stress many of the students face. We've been enormously happy with the school - the teachers and administration are wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read another article where they interviewed some of the plaintiffs and included parents who were upset that their kids who had been prepping for the entrance exam for a while might not get a shot. One parent moved to VA when the kid was a baby thinking he wanted the kid to go to TJ. In other words, they are proving the stereotypes right.

It really is sad. They don’t even realize what they’re saying.

This. They moved in 2009 because of tj. The kid is a 7th grader. He’s likely 12.
We have have a family friend who did this. Their daughter is a freshman there now. It was their goal since she was 2. Nearly every minute of the child’s life has been structured:
- piano
- athletic practices/games
- tj prep classes
- enrichment classes
- writing classes
- academic competitions

Etc. imagine that every since weekend and weeknight for a decade. One two week vacation each year and the rest was some commitment all the time.

Better her than the random slacker that will just luck in now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read another article where they interviewed some of the plaintiffs and included parents who were upset that their kids who had been prepping for the entrance exam for a while might not get a shot. One parent moved to VA when the kid was a baby thinking he wanted the kid to go to TJ. In other words, they are proving the stereotypes right.

It really is sad. They don’t even realize what they’re saying.

This. They moved in 2009 because of tj. The kid is a 7th grader. He’s likely 12.
We have have a family friend who did this. Their daughter is a freshman there now. It was their goal since she was 2. Nearly every minute of the child’s life has been structured:
- piano
- athletic practices/games
- tj prep classes
- enrichment classes
- writing classes
- academic competitions

Etc. imagine that every since weekend and weeknight for a decade. One two week vacation each year and the rest was some commitment all the time.

NP here. I have an 11yo and 9yo. We have done all of the above minus TJ prep courses. We would do this no matter where we lived and we have no interest in sending our kids to TJ. My older child has done science Olympiad, odyssey of the mind and chess tournaments. He also does cub scouts, soccer, tennis, golf and used to do swim team. He also plays a lot of Minecraft and watches a lot of YouTube. My kids love both art and science so they often choose art and science classes and camps.

I think people think they do this academic extra work all day everyday. I don’t think one hour of work is too much to ask for. We spend more time on sports than the academic extracurriculars.

[Anonymous]

^^ if your child is on YouTube and Minecraft then your kid is NOT like the child in the example. Your child has a variety of activities but appropriate downtime as well.

[Anonymous]

Always amazing to me how parents judge other parent's choices. Do what is best for your family and your individual child. Stop worrying about what activities or academic prep other parents choose. Trust both your own judgement and the judgement of other parents to do what works for them. Everyone had different child rearing strategies and that is okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Always amazing to me how parents judge other parent's choices. Do what is best for your family and your individual child. Stop worrying about what activities or academic prep other parents choose. Trust both your own judgement and the judgement of other parents to do what works for them. Everyone had different child rearing strategies and that is okay.

So is changing the admissions criteria to foster a more representative student body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read another article where they interviewed some of the plaintiffs and included parents who were upset that their kids who had been prepping for the entrance exam for a while might not get a shot. One parent moved to VA when the kid was a baby thinking he wanted the kid to go to TJ. In other words, they are proving the stereotypes right.

It really is sad. They don’t even realize what they’re saying.

This. They moved in 2009 because of tj. The kid is a 7th grader. He’s likely 12.
We have have a family friend who did this. Their daughter is a freshman there now. It was their goal since she was 2. Nearly every minute of the child’s life has been structured:
- piano
- athletic practices/games
- tj prep classes
- enrichment classes
- writing classes
- academic competitions

Etc. imagine that every since weekend and weeknight for a decade. One two week vacation each year and the rest was some commitment all the time.

This is considered normal in east asia.

To us you all seem wierd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always amazing to me how parents judge other parent's choices. Do what is best for your family and your individual child. Stop worrying about what activities or academic prep other parents choose. Trust both your own judgement and the judgement of other parents to do what works for them. Everyone had different child rearing strategies and that is okay.

So is changing the admissions criteria to foster a more representative student body.

PP here - I fully support the new TJ admissions system. My DS is a TJ senior (and no, he didn't prep and wastes hours on Fortnite) and DS agrees that diversity would improve the school and that plenty of kids at his Title I MS would have thrived at TJ if they got in. Not sure why you thought I didn't support? I just am constantly amazed on thread after thread - TJ/AAP - where posters judge the decisions of other parents and how they choose to raise their kids - academics, athletics, screen time, etc. It is hard enough to raise your own kids - stop worrying how someone else is raising theirs.