Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accidentally bump into an old thread while looking for certain information.
The thread tittle is about TJ class of 2019 college admissions result (I can send a link if it needed to believe).
It is basically copy cat of this thread, only that it was still old admission system. Same type of comment “not impressive” or “base school is better”, cheating comment and bunches of snarky comments and racist tone.

Admissions can change many times, but people character is impossible to change.

??

Cheating is a common issue at HSs everywhere. It has been openly acknowledged as an issue for TJ for more than a decade.

Articles from 2006 to 2023 about cheating at TJ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/03/va-principal-issues-apology-for-remarks-span-classbankheadlinking-ethnicity-and-cheating-was-wrong-fairfax-leader-saysspan/01cfcf99-d02f-4c11-b68e-e4997cf6d972/
https://www.tjtoday.org/1613/opinion/one-question-pervades-classroom-teaching-and-school-activities/
https://www.tjtoday.org/4390/opinion/teachers-need-to-enforce-tj-honor-code/
https://www.tjtoday.org/19690/uncategorized/integrity-violation-lecture-reminds-students-of-the-cost-of-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/27956/uncategorized/midterms-week-breeding-grounds-for-rampant-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/32413/opinion/stop-idolizing-elite-colleges/
https://www.tjtoday.org/36291/features/the-inside-of-integrity/

DCUM anecdote about widespread cheating from 2013:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/329043.page
"TJ parent here - At back to school night several of the teachers described the steps they take to prevent cheating. A science teacher said that they have learned there are so-called "tutors" who have large files of all the old tests given at TJ. So this year they are creating every test from scratch, with 4 completely different versions as the classes meet during 4 different time periods."

Interview with former TJ principal in 2006 (also discusses "gaming" the admissions test):
https://www.washingtonian.com/2006/09/01/thomas-jefferson-high-school-interview-with-principal-elizabeth-lodal/
"Unfortunately, T.J. has helped spawn a huge test-preparation industry in this region. Look in the newspapers—you’ll find test prep for both the SATs and for T.J.

Some parents start this T.J. prep early. Some local churches have Sunday-school classes focused on getting into T.J. that start in kindergarten and go through elementary school. Wealthy parents can spend $600 a pop to learn how to get in here.

Isn’t there something wrong with that?
Yes.

Why don’t you constantly change the exam so no one can game it?
The admissions office tries to do that."


"How pervasive is cheating?
Students tell me it’s more pervasive than adults know. It is a huge challenge for teachers and principals—not just here but at every school.

Given our student population, cheating techniques can be very sophisticated. We’ve tried to create an antidote via a robust ethics program. We bolster students offended by cheating and strengthen everyone’s will to resist it. We hold up ethical models and highlight positive examples.

When I got here, the first group of students to visit me were student leaders offended by the pervasiveness of cheating. They had drafted an honor code. The school eventually adopted that honor code, written by students. The student government is now investigating the creation of an honor council to help enforce and strengthen the honor code.

Our program Big Sibs matches every freshman with a “sibling”—an upper-level student who helps navigate the waters. Another initiative, Building a Better Community, or BBC, assists with programs about ethics. We feature ethics panels of highly respected students and adults who speak out against cheating."

Yeah my point is, its been going on for years. It is not recent, and regardless old or new admission certain people always have something to attack.

I wish people just leave this kids alone, regardless they went to Harvard or local CC or not even go to colleges. That is their lives and we know nothing. It is not ours to judge them

We are not judging them. We are judging the new admissions system.

No, the old thread about 2019 admissions thread is the same, judging how the results of 2019 is not impressive, base school better and such. People always judge!

Can you provide the link?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/809712.page

We are comparing this year's admissions to previous year's admissions for evidence of whether the new Admissions process for getting into TJ affected college outcomes. 2019 college admissions thread doesn't have that. The differerences in college admissions were moderate.

The changes were relatively minor and mostly just leveled the playing field to not favor affluent schools as much. This was blown way out of proportion by the crazy parents who wished buying admission were still possible.

The changes were not minor and neither were the effects.

They used to have a moderately merit based system that included a standardized test filter to create a pool of 1000 applicants to fill up to 500 spots. They used "holistic" criteria (including teacher recommendations, grades, extracurriculars and an essay) to select the final admits from the pool of 1000. They eliminated the test and the teacher recommendations and now use GPA filter (that about half the district meets) and an in person essay.

They now have a preference for ELL, FARM, and special ed kids.

They now have an admissions quota that they have to meet from every middle school equal to 1.5% of the 8th grade class at that middle school. This consumes all but ~100 of the seats available to FCPS kids at TJ.

The first class entering after this change saw PSAT scores drop by 120 points.

The first class after this change saw ~40-50 kids returning to their base school, it used to be a small handful of 3-6 kids.

The first class saw the math department be so disappointeds in the student performance that they sent around an email to all the students expressing their disappointment in their finals performance.

And frankly bzsed on what we've seen so far, I am pleasantly surprised at how the college results. I thought it would be much worse.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accidentally bump into an old thread while looking for certain information.
The thread tittle is about TJ class of 2019 college admissions result (I can send a link if it needed to believe).
It is basically copy cat of this thread, only that it was still old admission system. Same type of comment “not impressive” or “base school is better”, cheating comment and bunches of snarky comments and racist tone.

Admissions can change many times, but people character is impossible to change.

??

Cheating is a common issue at HSs everywhere. It has been openly acknowledged as an issue for TJ for more than a decade.

Articles from 2006 to 2023 about cheating at TJ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/03/va-principal-issues-apology-for-remarks-span-classbankheadlinking-ethnicity-and-cheating-was-wrong-fairfax-leader-saysspan/01cfcf99-d02f-4c11-b68e-e4997cf6d972/
https://www.tjtoday.org/1613/opinion/one-question-pervades-classroom-teaching-and-school-activities/
https://www.tjtoday.org/4390/opinion/teachers-need-to-enforce-tj-honor-code/
https://www.tjtoday.org/19690/uncategorized/integrity-violation-lecture-reminds-students-of-the-cost-of-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/27956/uncategorized/midterms-week-breeding-grounds-for-rampant-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/32413/opinion/stop-idolizing-elite-colleges/
https://www.tjtoday.org/36291/features/the-inside-of-integrity/

DCUM anecdote about widespread cheating from 2013:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/329043.page
"TJ parent here - At back to school night several of the teachers described the steps they take to prevent cheating. A science teacher said that they have learned there are so-called "tutors" who have large files of all the old tests given at TJ. So this year they are creating every test from scratch, with 4 completely different versions as the classes meet during 4 different time periods."

Interview with former TJ principal in 2006 (also discusses "gaming" the admissions test):
https://www.washingtonian.com/2006/09/01/thomas-jefferson-high-school-interview-with-principal-elizabeth-lodal/
"Unfortunately, T.J. has helped spawn a huge test-preparation industry in this region. Look in the newspapers—you’ll find test prep for both the SATs and for T.J.

Some parents start this T.J. prep early. Some local churches have Sunday-school classes focused on getting into T.J. that start in kindergarten and go through elementary school. Wealthy parents can spend $600 a pop to learn how to get in here.

Isn’t there something wrong with that?
Yes.

Why don’t you constantly change the exam so no one can game it?
The admissions office tries to do that."


"How pervasive is cheating?
Students tell me it’s more pervasive than adults know. It is a huge challenge for teachers and principals—not just here but at every school.

Given our student population, cheating techniques can be very sophisticated. We’ve tried to create an antidote via a robust ethics program. We bolster students offended by cheating and strengthen everyone’s will to resist it. We hold up ethical models and highlight positive examples.

When I got here, the first group of students to visit me were student leaders offended by the pervasiveness of cheating. They had drafted an honor code. The school eventually adopted that honor code, written by students. The student government is now investigating the creation of an honor council to help enforce and strengthen the honor code.

Our program Big Sibs matches every freshman with a “sibling”—an upper-level student who helps navigate the waters. Another initiative, Building a Better Community, or BBC, assists with programs about ethics. We feature ethics panels of highly respected students and adults who speak out against cheating."

Yeah my point is, its been going on for years. It is not recent, and regardless old or new admission certain people always have something to attack.

I wish people just leave this kids alone, regardless they went to Harvard or local CC or not even go to colleges. That is their lives and we know nothing. It is not ours to judge them

We are not judging them. We are judging the new admissions system.

No, the old thread about 2019 admissions thread is the same, judging how the results of 2019 is not impressive, base school better and such. People always judge!

Can you provide the link?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/809712.page

We are comparing this year's admissions to previous year's admissions for evidence of whether the new Admissions process for getting into TJ affected college outcomes. 2019 college admissions thread doesn't have that. The differerences in college admissions were moderate.

The changes were relatively minor and mostly just leveled the playing field to not favor affluent schools as much. This was blown way out of proportion by the crazy parents who wished buying admission were still possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accidentally bump into an old thread while looking for certain information.
The thread tittle is about TJ class of 2019 college admissions result (I can send a link if it needed to believe).
It is basically copy cat of this thread, only that it was still old admission system. Same type of comment “not impressive” or “base school is better”, cheating comment and bunches of snarky comments and racist tone.

Admissions can change many times, but people character is impossible to change.

??

Cheating is a common issue at HSs everywhere. It has been openly acknowledged as an issue for TJ for more than a decade.

Articles from 2006 to 2023 about cheating at TJ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/03/va-principal-issues-apology-for-remarks-span-classbankheadlinking-ethnicity-and-cheating-was-wrong-fairfax-leader-saysspan/01cfcf99-d02f-4c11-b68e-e4997cf6d972/
https://www.tjtoday.org/1613/opinion/one-question-pervades-classroom-teaching-and-school-activities/
https://www.tjtoday.org/4390/opinion/teachers-need-to-enforce-tj-honor-code/
https://www.tjtoday.org/19690/uncategorized/integrity-violation-lecture-reminds-students-of-the-cost-of-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/27956/uncategorized/midterms-week-breeding-grounds-for-rampant-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/32413/opinion/stop-idolizing-elite-colleges/
https://www.tjtoday.org/36291/features/the-inside-of-integrity/

DCUM anecdote about widespread cheating from 2013:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/329043.page
"TJ parent here - At back to school night several of the teachers described the steps they take to prevent cheating. A science teacher said that they have learned there are so-called "tutors" who have large files of all the old tests given at TJ. So this year they are creating every test from scratch, with 4 completely different versions as the classes meet during 4 different time periods."

Interview with former TJ principal in 2006 (also discusses "gaming" the admissions test):
https://www.washingtonian.com/2006/09/01/thomas-jefferson-high-school-interview-with-principal-elizabeth-lodal/
"Unfortunately, T.J. has helped spawn a huge test-preparation industry in this region. Look in the newspapers—you’ll find test prep for both the SATs and for T.J.

Some parents start this T.J. prep early. Some local churches have Sunday-school classes focused on getting into T.J. that start in kindergarten and go through elementary school. Wealthy parents can spend $600 a pop to learn how to get in here.

Isn’t there something wrong with that?
Yes.

Why don’t you constantly change the exam so no one can game it?
The admissions office tries to do that."


"How pervasive is cheating?
Students tell me it’s more pervasive than adults know. It is a huge challenge for teachers and principals—not just here but at every school.

Given our student population, cheating techniques can be very sophisticated. We’ve tried to create an antidote via a robust ethics program. We bolster students offended by cheating and strengthen everyone’s will to resist it. We hold up ethical models and highlight positive examples.

When I got here, the first group of students to visit me were student leaders offended by the pervasiveness of cheating. They had drafted an honor code. The school eventually adopted that honor code, written by students. The student government is now investigating the creation of an honor council to help enforce and strengthen the honor code.

Our program Big Sibs matches every freshman with a “sibling”—an upper-level student who helps navigate the waters. Another initiative, Building a Better Community, or BBC, assists with programs about ethics. We feature ethics panels of highly respected students and adults who speak out against cheating."

Yeah my point is, its been going on for years. It is not recent, and regardless old or new admission certain people always have something to attack.

I wish people just leave this kids alone, regardless they went to Harvard or local CC or not even go to colleges. That is their lives and we know nothing. It is not ours to judge them

We are not judging them. We are judging the new admissions system.

No, the old thread about 2019 admissions thread is the same, judging how the results of 2019 is not impressive, base school better and such. People always judge!

Can you provide the link?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/809712.page

We are comparing this year's admissions to previous year's admissions for evidence of whether the new Admissions process for getting into TJ affected college outcomes. 2019 college admissions thread doesn't have that. The differerences in college admissions were moderate.

The changes were relatively minor and mostly just leveled the playing field to not favor affluent schools as much. This was blown way out of proportion by the crazy parents who wished buying admission were still possible.

Nobody was buying admission in any way shape or form. This was simply an attempt to racially balance the TJ population at the expense of the merit filter. The PSAT score dropped by 120 points. That is a significant drop in student quality

People were able to purchase access to the test questions through the question banks available at many of the prep schools. This did help affluent families to game the process.

I have my doubts about there being any actual test banks (teenage social media posts and student newspaper articles aside); but the answer to expensive private test banks is to have free transparent test banks, not to try and get even more secretive.

If the changes were really about counteracting the effects of affluence, you can more directly and easily achieve socioeconomic diversity by building in a preference for poverty. But then you would still end up with huge racial disparities. But in the end, when you use selection criteria for a competitive program that is not aligned with the qualifications for that competitive program, you are setting up the preferred group for failure in that competitive environment.

The purpose of the changes in the admissions process was to racially balancer the TJ student population. And they achieved a bit of diversity at the expense of a lot of merit and every year we see pretty large groups of kids that received these admissions preferences return to their base schools with their confidence crushed, only to be replaced by the kids that should have been selected in the first place through the froshmore process.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accidentally bump into an old thread while looking for certain information.
The thread tittle is about TJ class of 2019 college admissions result (I can send a link if it needed to believe).
It is basically copy cat of this thread, only that it was still old admission system. Same type of comment “not impressive” or “base school is better”, cheating comment and bunches of snarky comments and racist tone.

Admissions can change many times, but people character is impossible to change.

??

Cheating is a common issue at HSs everywhere. It has been openly acknowledged as an issue for TJ for more than a decade.

Articles from 2006 to 2023 about cheating at TJ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/03/va-principal-issues-apology-for-remarks-span-classbankheadlinking-ethnicity-and-cheating-was-wrong-fairfax-leader-saysspan/01cfcf99-d02f-4c11-b68e-e4997cf6d972/
https://www.tjtoday.org/1613/opinion/one-question-pervades-classroom-teaching-and-school-activities/
https://www.tjtoday.org/4390/opinion/teachers-need-to-enforce-tj-honor-code/
https://www.tjtoday.org/19690/uncategorized/integrity-violation-lecture-reminds-students-of-the-cost-of-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/27956/uncategorized/midterms-week-breeding-grounds-for-rampant-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/32413/opinion/stop-idolizing-elite-colleges/
https://www.tjtoday.org/36291/features/the-inside-of-integrity/

DCUM anecdote about widespread cheating from 2013:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/329043.page
"TJ parent here - At back to school night several of the teachers described the steps they take to prevent cheating. A science teacher said that they have learned there are so-called "tutors" who have large files of all the old tests given at TJ. So this year they are creating every test from scratch, with 4 completely different versions as the classes meet during 4 different time periods."

Interview with former TJ principal in 2006 (also discusses "gaming" the admissions test):
https://www.washingtonian.com/2006/09/01/thomas-jefferson-high-school-interview-with-principal-elizabeth-lodal/
"Unfortunately, T.J. has helped spawn a huge test-preparation industry in this region. Look in the newspapers—you’ll find test prep for both the SATs and for T.J.

Some parents start this T.J. prep early. Some local churches have Sunday-school classes focused on getting into T.J. that start in kindergarten and go through elementary school. Wealthy parents can spend $600 a pop to learn how to get in here.

Isn’t there something wrong with that?
Yes.

Why don’t you constantly change the exam so no one can game it?
The admissions office tries to do that."


"How pervasive is cheating?
Students tell me it’s more pervasive than adults know. It is a huge challenge for teachers and principals—not just here but at every school.

Given our student population, cheating techniques can be very sophisticated. We’ve tried to create an antidote via a robust ethics program. We bolster students offended by cheating and strengthen everyone’s will to resist it. We hold up ethical models and highlight positive examples.

When I got here, the first group of students to visit me were student leaders offended by the pervasiveness of cheating. They had drafted an honor code. The school eventually adopted that honor code, written by students. The student government is now investigating the creation of an honor council to help enforce and strengthen the honor code.

Our program Big Sibs matches every freshman with a “sibling”—an upper-level student who helps navigate the waters. Another initiative, Building a Better Community, or BBC, assists with programs about ethics. We feature ethics panels of highly respected students and adults who speak out against cheating."

Yeah my point is, its been going on for years. It is not recent, and regardless old or new admission certain people always have something to attack.

I wish people just leave this kids alone, regardless they went to Harvard or local CC or not even go to colleges. That is their lives and we know nothing. It is not ours to judge them

We are not judging them. We are judging the new admissions system.

No, the old thread about 2019 admissions thread is the same, judging how the results of 2019 is not impressive, base school better and such. People always judge!

Can you provide the link?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/809712.page

We are comparing this year's admissions to previous year's admissions for evidence of whether the new Admissions process for getting into TJ affected college outcomes. 2019 college admissions thread doesn't have that. The differerences in college admissions were moderate.

The changes were relatively minor and mostly just leveled the playing field to not favor affluent schools as much. This was blown way out of proportion by the crazy parents who wished buying admission were still possible.

Nobody was buying admission in any way shape or form. This was simply an attempt to racially balance the TJ population at the expense of the merit filter. The PSAT score dropped by 120 points. That is a significant drop in student quality

People were able to purchase access to the test questions through the question banks available at many of the prep schools. This did help affluent families to game the process.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accidentally bump into an old thread while looking for certain information.
The thread tittle is about TJ class of 2019 college admissions result (I can send a link if it needed to believe).
It is basically copy cat of this thread, only that it was still old admission system. Same type of comment “not impressive” or “base school is better”, cheating comment and bunches of snarky comments and racist tone.

Admissions can change many times, but people character is impossible to change.

??

Cheating is a common issue at HSs everywhere. It has been openly acknowledged as an issue for TJ for more than a decade.

Articles from 2006 to 2023 about cheating at TJ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/03/va-principal-issues-apology-for-remarks-span-classbankheadlinking-ethnicity-and-cheating-was-wrong-fairfax-leader-saysspan/01cfcf99-d02f-4c11-b68e-e4997cf6d972/
https://www.tjtoday.org/1613/opinion/one-question-pervades-classroom-teaching-and-school-activities/
https://www.tjtoday.org/4390/opinion/teachers-need-to-enforce-tj-honor-code/
https://www.tjtoday.org/19690/uncategorized/integrity-violation-lecture-reminds-students-of-the-cost-of-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/27956/uncategorized/midterms-week-breeding-grounds-for-rampant-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/32413/opinion/stop-idolizing-elite-colleges/
https://www.tjtoday.org/36291/features/the-inside-of-integrity/

DCUM anecdote about widespread cheating from 2013:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/329043.page
"TJ parent here - At back to school night several of the teachers described the steps they take to prevent cheating. A science teacher said that they have learned there are so-called "tutors" who have large files of all the old tests given at TJ. So this year they are creating every test from scratch, with 4 completely different versions as the classes meet during 4 different time periods."

Interview with former TJ principal in 2006 (also discusses "gaming" the admissions test):
https://www.washingtonian.com/2006/09/01/thomas-jefferson-high-school-interview-with-principal-elizabeth-lodal/
"Unfortunately, T.J. has helped spawn a huge test-preparation industry in this region. Look in the newspapers—you’ll find test prep for both the SATs and for T.J.

Some parents start this T.J. prep early. Some local churches have Sunday-school classes focused on getting into T.J. that start in kindergarten and go through elementary school. Wealthy parents can spend $600 a pop to learn how to get in here.

Isn’t there something wrong with that?
Yes.

Why don’t you constantly change the exam so no one can game it?
The admissions office tries to do that."


"How pervasive is cheating?
Students tell me it’s more pervasive than adults know. It is a huge challenge for teachers and principals—not just here but at every school.

Given our student population, cheating techniques can be very sophisticated. We’ve tried to create an antidote via a robust ethics program. We bolster students offended by cheating and strengthen everyone’s will to resist it. We hold up ethical models and highlight positive examples.

When I got here, the first group of students to visit me were student leaders offended by the pervasiveness of cheating. They had drafted an honor code. The school eventually adopted that honor code, written by students. The student government is now investigating the creation of an honor council to help enforce and strengthen the honor code.

Our program Big Sibs matches every freshman with a “sibling”—an upper-level student who helps navigate the waters. Another initiative, Building a Better Community, or BBC, assists with programs about ethics. We feature ethics panels of highly respected students and adults who speak out against cheating."

Yeah my point is, its been going on for years. It is not recent, and regardless old or new admission certain people always have something to attack.

I wish people just leave this kids alone, regardless they went to Harvard or local CC or not even go to colleges. That is their lives and we know nothing. It is not ours to judge them

We are not judging them. We are judging the new admissions system.

No, the old thread about 2019 admissions thread is the same, judging how the results of 2019 is not impressive, base school better and such. People always judge!

Can you provide the link?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/809712.page

We are comparing this year's admissions to previous year's admissions for evidence of whether the new Admissions process for getting into TJ affected college outcomes. 2019 college admissions thread doesn't have that. The differerences in college admissions were moderate.

The changes were relatively minor and mostly just leveled the playing field to not favor affluent schools as much. This was blown way out of proportion by the crazy parents who wished buying admission were still possible.

Nobody was buying admission in any way shape or form. This was simply an attempt to racially balance the TJ population at the expense of the merit filter. The PSAT score dropped by 120 points. That is a significant drop in student quality

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accidentally bump into an old thread while looking for certain information.
The thread tittle is about TJ class of 2019 college admissions result (I can send a link if it needed to believe).
It is basically copy cat of this thread, only that it was still old admission system. Same type of comment “not impressive” or “base school is better”, cheating comment and bunches of snarky comments and racist tone.

Admissions can change many times, but people character is impossible to change.

??

Cheating is a common issue at HSs everywhere. It has been openly acknowledged as an issue for TJ for more than a decade.

Articles from 2006 to 2023 about cheating at TJ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/03/va-principal-issues-apology-for-remarks-span-classbankheadlinking-ethnicity-and-cheating-was-wrong-fairfax-leader-saysspan/01cfcf99-d02f-4c11-b68e-e4997cf6d972/
https://www.tjtoday.org/1613/opinion/one-question-pervades-classroom-teaching-and-school-activities/
https://www.tjtoday.org/4390/opinion/teachers-need-to-enforce-tj-honor-code/
https://www.tjtoday.org/19690/uncategorized/integrity-violation-lecture-reminds-students-of-the-cost-of-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/27956/uncategorized/midterms-week-breeding-grounds-for-rampant-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/32413/opinion/stop-idolizing-elite-colleges/
https://www.tjtoday.org/36291/features/the-inside-of-integrity/

DCUM anecdote about widespread cheating from 2013:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/329043.page
"TJ parent here - At back to school night several of the teachers described the steps they take to prevent cheating. A science teacher said that they have learned there are so-called "tutors" who have large files of all the old tests given at TJ. So this year they are creating every test from scratch, with 4 completely different versions as the classes meet during 4 different time periods."

Interview with former TJ principal in 2006 (also discusses "gaming" the admissions test):
https://www.washingtonian.com/2006/09/01/thomas-jefferson-high-school-interview-with-principal-elizabeth-lodal/
"Unfortunately, T.J. has helped spawn a huge test-preparation industry in this region. Look in the newspapers—you’ll find test prep for both the SATs and for T.J.

Some parents start this T.J. prep early. Some local churches have Sunday-school classes focused on getting into T.J. that start in kindergarten and go through elementary school. Wealthy parents can spend $600 a pop to learn how to get in here.

Isn’t there something wrong with that?
Yes.

Why don’t you constantly change the exam so no one can game it?
The admissions office tries to do that."


"How pervasive is cheating?
Students tell me it’s more pervasive than adults know. It is a huge challenge for teachers and principals—not just here but at every school.

Given our student population, cheating techniques can be very sophisticated. We’ve tried to create an antidote via a robust ethics program. We bolster students offended by cheating and strengthen everyone’s will to resist it. We hold up ethical models and highlight positive examples.

When I got here, the first group of students to visit me were student leaders offended by the pervasiveness of cheating. They had drafted an honor code. The school eventually adopted that honor code, written by students. The student government is now investigating the creation of an honor council to help enforce and strengthen the honor code.

Our program Big Sibs matches every freshman with a “sibling”—an upper-level student who helps navigate the waters. Another initiative, Building a Better Community, or BBC, assists with programs about ethics. We feature ethics panels of highly respected students and adults who speak out against cheating."

Yeah my point is, its been going on for years. It is not recent, and regardless old or new admission certain people always have something to attack.

I wish people just leave this kids alone, regardless they went to Harvard or local CC or not even go to colleges. That is their lives and we know nothing. It is not ours to judge them

We are not judging them. We are judging the new admissions system.

No, the old thread about 2019 admissions thread is the same, judging how the results of 2019 is not impressive, base school better and such. People always judge!

Can you provide the link?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/809712.page

We are comparing this year's admissions to previous year's admissions for evidence of whether the new Admissions process for getting into TJ affected college outcomes. 2019 college admissions thread doesn't have that. The differerences in college admissions were moderate.

The changes were relatively minor and mostly just leveled the playing field to not favor affluent schools as much. This was blown way out of proportion by the crazy parents who wished buying admission were still possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Accidentally bump into an old thread while looking for certain information.
The thread tittle is about TJ class of 2019 college admissions result (I can send a link if it needed to believe).
It is basically copy cat of this thread, only that it was still old admission system. Same type of comment “not impressive” or “base school is better”, cheating comment and bunches of snarky comments and racist tone.

Admissions can change many times, but people character is impossible to change.

??

Cheating is a common issue at HSs everywhere. It has been openly acknowledged as an issue for TJ for more than a decade.

Articles from 2006 to 2023 about cheating at TJ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/05/03/va-principal-issues-apology-for-remarks-span-classbankheadlinking-ethnicity-and-cheating-was-wrong-fairfax-leader-saysspan/01cfcf99-d02f-4c11-b68e-e4997cf6d972/
https://www.tjtoday.org/1613/opinion/one-question-pervades-classroom-teaching-and-school-activities/
https://www.tjtoday.org/4390/opinion/teachers-need-to-enforce-tj-honor-code/
https://www.tjtoday.org/19690/uncategorized/integrity-violation-lecture-reminds-students-of-the-cost-of-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/27956/uncategorized/midterms-week-breeding-grounds-for-rampant-cheating/
https://www.tjtoday.org/32413/opinion/stop-idolizing-elite-colleges/
https://www.tjtoday.org/36291/features/the-inside-of-integrity/

DCUM anecdote about widespread cheating from 2013:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/60/329043.page
"TJ parent here - At back to school night several of the teachers described the steps they take to prevent cheating. A science teacher said that they have learned there are so-called "tutors" who have large files of all the old tests given at TJ. So this year they are creating every test from scratch, with 4 completely different versions as the classes meet during 4 different time periods."

Interview with former TJ principal in 2006 (also discusses "gaming" the admissions test):
https://www.washingtonian.com/2006/09/01/thomas-jefferson-high-school-interview-with-principal-elizabeth-lodal/
"Unfortunately, T.J. has helped spawn a huge test-preparation industry in this region. Look in the newspapers—you’ll find test prep for both the SATs and for T.J.

Some parents start this T.J. prep early. Some local churches have Sunday-school classes focused on getting into T.J. that start in kindergarten and go through elementary school. Wealthy parents can spend $600 a pop to learn how to get in here.

Isn’t there something wrong with that?
Yes.

Why don’t you constantly change the exam so no one can game it?
The admissions office tries to do that."


"How pervasive is cheating?
Students tell me it’s more pervasive than adults know. It is a huge challenge for teachers and principals—not just here but at every school.

Given our student population, cheating techniques can be very sophisticated. We’ve tried to create an antidote via a robust ethics program. We bolster students offended by cheating and strengthen everyone’s will to resist it. We hold up ethical models and highlight positive examples.

When I got here, the first group of students to visit me were student leaders offended by the pervasiveness of cheating. They had drafted an honor code. The school eventually adopted that honor code, written by students. The student government is now investigating the creation of an honor council to help enforce and strengthen the honor code.

Our program Big Sibs matches every freshman with a “sibling”—an upper-level student who helps navigate the waters. Another initiative, Building a Better Community, or BBC, assists with programs about ethics. We feature ethics panels of highly respected students and adults who speak out against cheating."

Yeah my point is, its been going on for years. It is not recent, and regardless old or new admission certain people always have something to attack.

I wish people just leave this kids alone, regardless they went to Harvard or local CC or not even go to colleges. That is their lives and we know nothing. It is not ours to judge them

We are not judging them. We are judging the new admissions system.

No, the old thread about 2019 admissions thread is the same, judging how the results of 2019 is not impressive, base school better and such. People always judge!

Can you provide the link?

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/809712.page

We are comparing this year's admissions to previous year's admissions for evidence of whether the new Admissions process for getting into TJ affected college outcomes. 2019 college admissions thread doesn't have that. The differerences in college admissions were moderate.