Reply to Rigor at TJ compared to regular FCPS high Schools

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I hear the math teachers are very frustrated with the math preparations of incoming students. Discussing changes to grading policies.[/quote]
Yeah the SOL scores really have taken a dramatic turn. Maybe skills-based grading could be an option? [/quote]

The new students are more naturally gifted than the 3rd tier peppers who were getting in under the old system. [b]They may be less prepared [/b]but seem to pick things up more quickly, so in the long run, they're actually doing much better.[/quote]

Less prepared in math and  science. That was expected! Farcical essay can't evaluate  preparedness in necessary math and science. 
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I've watched over 10,000 kids graduate from TJ in my lifetime, and I can tell you that the way they approach TJ once they're inside the building matters a hell of a lot more than how "prepared" they were when they got admitted. I've seen Alg1 kids who struggled mightily for their first year or two and turned out to be superstars when they left, and I've seen kids who entered in Calc BC and beyond flame out because they couldn't handle actually being challenged academically for the first time in their lives.

Their grades in their curricular classes tell me everything I need to know about whether or not they're "prepared enough". Testing isn't helpful beyond that point. Give me 1000 words that lend me insight into your approach and how you've handled adversity and I'll tell you whether or not you'll be a success at TJ and whether or not you'll add value to the institution.[/quote]

One problem here is that not all "problem solvers" are good writers. 
[/quote]

Certainly true. But no TJ admissions process will ever be able to perfectly identify the exact 550 students who will make the best contributors to the environment... nor should it expect to.

The bottom line is, no one knows EXACTLY what the people evaluating the essays are actually looking for. And that's a good thing, because transparency in an admissions process incentivizes parents to narrowly tailor their child's life in order to optimize their chances for admission - an objectively deeply unhealthy behavior. And no one is guaranteed admission, nor should they be. Viewing it as a prize to be won because it's a scarce resource instead of as a taxpayer-funded educational opportunity is a mistake.[/quote]

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