Reply to Why don't people want to go to tj just because there are "too many" asians?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would rather see less money spent on building a better mousetrap (TJ) [b]and more money spent on building a better house (FCPS). [/b]

It will not be easy for the School Board to take on that task because TJ boosters are politically active and returning TJ to its original, intended use will require boundary adjustments.  And TJ serves as a crutch.  No matter what the other challenges are within FCPS, the School Board can always point to TJ as evidence that "they must be doing something right."

But FCPS can't have it both ways.  It cannot be a school system that purports to care about equity and then operate a school that affords a very small percentage of students access to opportunities [b]to which the overwhelming majority of students, including many who would take advantage of such opportunities if available, are denied. [/b] To fail to take a hard look at the costs and benefits of operating TJ is to abdicate several of the School Board's most important responsibilities. [/quote]

I don't believe FCPS would wisely spend the money if you take it away from TJ, I think they are already wasting lots of money and resources towards things like the latest "tech", "testing programs", and lots of private educational "consultants" and corporations. They should take that money which is on the order of Millions, and put it where their mouth is, namely on supporting education for the most disadvantaged students.

Second, let's be honest here, the "overwhelming majority" of students in the county likely wouldn't succeed at a place like TJ even if they had the opportunity to go there. I know it doesn't sound right, but it's a hard and uncomfortable truth.

I actually agree that TJ is one of the things they are getting right, at least when it comes to providing a fantastic math and science program. But that doesn't mean it would work for all students.[/quote]

TJ has never lacked for those defending its elitism and coming up with arguments to emphasize its benefits and ignore its costs.  They will never engage as to whether having 1500 county kids in a school that has 1800 but could accommodate 2100 or more is fair when FCPS has numerous schools that are too crowded.  "Equity" to them means only that they get what they think they deserve.

Those defenders have an outsized influence on FCPS and other decision-makers in the county.  They need to step back and objectively decide whether they want FCPS to be known for one high school or 25.  [/quote]

You want to shut down a school just because FCPS can't figure out how to do proper growth and capacity planning to fix overcrowded schools?[/quote]

TJ was closed as a neighborhood school and opened as a magnet when enrollments were declining and it seemed like a catchy idea.

With our now facing growing enrollments and overcrowded schools, it's a vanity project that does not efficiently serve county students.  It should not be closed, but it should be returned to neighborhood use.

You do know there are kids who - involuntarily - now have to cross both 395 and 495 to get to their high school when they could walk to Jefferson, not to mention the crappy modulars and trailers at other schools. [/quote]

And you do know that ALL of their parents knew about this when they bought their house??  I'm sure they all take the school bus and not risking their lives crossing the '95s on foot..[/quote]

Wrong.  That decision was made less than a decade ago when Annandale got too crowded, the delayed effect of closing Jefferson, and kids were moved to Edison (also turning the middle school that is 1/2 mile from TJ into a split feeder).

But thanks for establishing (1) you don't know what you're talking about and (2) even if you did, you'd happily accept an inferior outcome for others as long as you get yours. [/quote]

You are right on (1) AND (2).  Don't really care either.  I'll care about others when others care about me.. Most of white people bitching here have legacy admissions lined up and/or money saved up for private college. They just whine about TJ because their kids can't go there AND have a good time.  Most of the minorities that are not Asian can pretty much walk into any high-end school if they just apply themselves a bit.  (Not sure why they are complaining)  No one cares about me or my kids as an Asian.  I get like "take one for the greater good" BS.  Take care of yourself and yours however you can, and I will mine.[/quote]

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