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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

I have a 12yo who self studied algebra II and scored ~1400 on the SAT. I know about these free math enrichment programs. And my child has used some of them. We cannot afford an actual extra class. But I am able to guide and encourage my kid and give her the time and space. We are very fortunate to be able to do so.  We have good jobs and consistent child care set up. I have the extra time and mental bandwidth to research math resources for her.

But many parents are stressed out about paying bills or taking care of elderly parents. Or maybe they have a SN child. Looking into those free math options isn’t going to happen. Many kids are shuffled all around after school or have to commute to dad’s house across the city 3 times a week. Or maybe they have to come home and babysit younger siblings.

Most kids are not going to push themselves in these conditions without their parents’ support. Most kids will not push themselves in the best conditions without their parents’ support. These are little kids. Yes, my 12yo self studies without a tutor, but she is getting constant encouragement and help from her parents.

My 12yo would not be where she’s at without a lot pushing from us. And we aren’t even one of the ridiculous “3 hours of outside math class a week” families. We just encourage her to work beyond the school’s curriculum because we hope it will give her an advantage.

I recognize that my 12yo isn’t some math genius. She’s been given more opportunities. She’s been given a serious advantage and leg up on many her age. And I know there are many kids who haven’t had these advantages.

[b]So just because free stuff exists doesn’t in any way mean kids from disadvantaged backgrounds should achieve just as well as those in aops academy.[/b] For a variety of reasons they cannot. And it’s not necessarily because their parents just don’t value education. For that reason those kids who excel in advanced math alone should be considered. [/quote]

No one expects them to do so.  What I would hope is that they're showing *something*.   If a kid doesn't qualify for 7th grade Algebra and then doesn't really do or show anything at all in math outside of getting good grades, that isn't enough to justify admission to TJ.  Many schools have some sort of math club or science club.  If they aren't even doing that, then they must not be very interested in math or science.

Also, it's unfortunate, but the (very, very few) kids out there who are brilliant, but so disadvantaged that they can't possibly participate in any extracurricular STEM activities, can't do any amount of self-studying, have no parental support, etc. will not be successful at TJ.  They will not have the time to complete the homework.  They will not have the resources to get tutoring if they struggle in any class.  They will not be able to participate in any of the TJ extracurriculars or clubs.  These kids will either end up at the bottom in TJ, or they'll fall back to their base school.  Both of these would sabotage this kid's ability to get accepted to a good state school and maybe get a scholarship.  [/quote]

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