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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The new admission process converted a merit-based school into a social project with barely any merit. The damage to TJ’s reputation is done. It will keep up in the rankings for the next couple of years, based on its past glory, after that it won’t. Hope that those, who orchestrated this, will ultimately pay for destroying the very valuable resource of this community. I am not Asian but white. [/quote]

When did buying the test answers become merit?[/quote]

If that were the actual concern, TJ math and science teachers could easily create test questions and make new ones each year, while making old ones public, so that any kid NOT at a prep center could prepare on their own. Right now TJ is getting kids from prep center, trained to write perfect essays about imaginary achievements and hardships in their lives, plus cheats, and disadvantaged kids with no particular aptitude. Good luck![/quote]

Don’t forget writing coaches! I know one parent/kid who spent months perfecting different flavors of essays. Same with math problem solving essay as it’s says that critical thinking/writing is more important that getting the right answer. This year, it’s science essay (and virtual), it’s all about writing. [/quote]

I don't blame them preparing for it. They did the right thing. [/quote]

Can you argue the same for math/science prep for earlier admission process? The problem with essays, TJ is now all about essays and what you write in them that appeals to the readers and you don't have to be truthful. Even if you perfect gpa, its will only make a difference of 37.5 points, while essays carry a whopping 600 points in the TJ point system and nothing else is considered for admission. So, getting into TJ isn't so much about science anymore. 
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Not defending the process because it is flawed, but being able to write (as well as do math and science) would set folks apart.  I work with engineers (I’m a lawyer not an engineer) and many are strong engineers but very weak writers.  Being able to communicate better would aid them in their careers.  I know the admittance process is hated.  I’m just adding that actually being able to communicate one’s thoughts in writing should not be under rated.[/quote]

Certainly, being a stronger writer would be a useful asset for an engineer.  Its importance is dwarfed by being a solid scientist who understands the math.  Who would you prefer to have designing a new car: the good writer who is mediocre at STEM, or the STEM whiz who is a mediocre writer?   If TJ were a general gifted academy or a humanities school, the emphasis on writing would not be inappropriate.  For a STEM school, it's absurd to prioritize writing over math and science ability.  
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As I said, I’m not defending the process.  I think it would be fair to make writing a component of the evaluation (albeit weighted lower then math and science).  We all need to be able to communicate.  Top students should have that basic skill.  There are so many in FCPS that surely we could find top STEM kids that can also write.[/quote]

My view is that kids who are receiving As in AAP or Honors English in 7th and 8th grade ought to be able to write.  If they can't, there's something seriously wrong with the grading in these classes.  It shouldn't be necessary to focus on writing to the extent that they do in the TJ application, since the requisite writing skill should be reflected in the GPA.  [/quote]

I think you might be surprised by the grading.  It’s not hard to get As in FCPS. If grades were all that mattered, they could just go by GPA and which classes the kid is in.[/quote]

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