Anonymous wrote:

"Thank you!! Super helpful. Have these questions appeared on paper in prior budget discussions? Surprised this isn't more widely reported - but then, the fervor for TJ doesn't exist in Arlington to quite the same extent as it does in other local communities."

There has been some discussion on AEM and other Facebook groups. At least one Board member (RG) responded when asked about this: "What should we cut instead?" The obvious and snarky response, of course, was "Board member salaries," but I don't think anyone actually said that. Don't know whether the money which might flow from the recently passed COVID-relief bill might "save" some of these Tier 1 cuts, which also included things like Middle School sports and extra-curricular clubs like Math Counts and Science Olympiad.

Amusingly, if you cut TJ, you'd probably eliminate a lot of the demand for Math Counts and Science Olympiad. Not all of it, to be sure, but a fair amount. I wonder how many APS students eschew middle school sports in favor of stuff that "will help them get into TJ". I will tell you it happens a TON in Fairfax and Loudoun, even though sports out there are club-based.

"Thank you!! Super helpful. Have these questions appeared on paper in prior budget discussions? Surprised this isn't more widely reported - but then, the fervor for TJ doesn't exist in Arlington to quite the same extent as it does in other local communities."

There has been some discussion on AEM and other Facebook groups. At least one Board member (RG) responded when asked about this: "What should we cut instead?" The obvious and snarky response, of course, was "Board member salaries," but I don't think anyone actually said that. Don't know whether the money which might flow from the recently passed COVID-relief bill might "save" some of these Tier 1 cuts, which also included things like Middle School sports and extra-curricular clubs like Math Counts and Science Olympiad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is pretty good chance that Arlington will be ending its participation at TJ starting with this year's 8th graders. This willl remove a number of people from the potential pool of applicants or, at the very least, dampen the number of Arlington applicants who might say: "Why bother applying if they won't let me attend even if I get in." I think this is a terrible decision on the part of APS.

Loudoun has been talking about doing this forever, but this is the first I've heard of Arlington exploring it. What's a source on this?

Its the most likely group of budget cuts (Tier 1). Here is a link to questions that have been posed about. https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FY-2022-Budget-Questions-and-Responses_Distributed-March-8-2021.pdf. Note that I believe that prior court cases would prohibit Arlington from allowing kids to go but requiring them to pay tuition.

Thank you!! Super helpful. Have these questions appeared on paper in prior budget discussions? Surprised this isn't more widely reported - but then, the fervor for TJ doesn't exist in Arlington to quite the same extent as it does in other local communities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is pretty good chance that Arlington will be ending its participation at TJ starting with this year's 8th graders. This willl remove a number of people from the potential pool of applicants or, at the very least, dampen the number of Arlington applicants who might say: "Why bother applying if they won't let me attend even if I get in." I think this is a terrible decision on the part of APS.

Loudoun has been talking about doing this forever, but this is the first I've heard of Arlington exploring it. What's a source on this?

Its the most likely group of budget cuts (Tier 1). Here is a link to questions that have been posed about. https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FY-2022-Budget-Questions-and-Responses_Distributed-March-8-2021.pdf. Note that I believe that prior court cases would prohibit Arlington from allowing kids to go but requiring them to pay tuition.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is pretty good chance that Arlington will be ending its participation at TJ starting with this year's 8th graders. This willl remove a number of people from the potential pool of applicants or, at the very least, dampen the number of Arlington applicants who might say: "Why bother applying if they won't let me attend even if I get in." I think this is a terrible decision on the part of APS.

Loudoun has been talking about doing this forever, but this is the first I've heard of Arlington exploring it. What's a source on this?

They always talk about it but the families want to go to TJ and protest and win.

"They" meaning the Arlington School Board?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I saw FCPS email stating “ it has been exciting to see the engagement of our middle school students as they submit an unprecedented number of applications to TJHHST. Thank you to our principals for the targeted outreach to eligible students to ensure families are made aware of available opportunities.”

This shouldn't be a surprise and it tells you just how much the application fee and investment of time in the exam was a deterrent to many families. Why blow $100 on an application when you're just finding out about TJ now and you're behind the curve in years of test prep?

I think it was more the mentality of "you wouldn't pass the test so it's a waste of time" or "you wouldn't be in the top 450 of applicants based on your grades and test scores so why bother." Now neither of those are deciding factors. It is basically a lottery.

Above comment reveals a lack of understanding of the process. The exam wasn't about passing or failing - it was a competition among all of the students nationwide who were taking those exams within that testing window. Cutoffs were not based on raw scores but rather on percentiles achieved - which was a poor metric because of the imbalances created by families spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on test prep.

Similarly, a myriad of other factors were considered in the old process in addition to the grades and test scores - SIS responses, teacher recommendations, etc.

These threads would be much more engaging and informative if they were limited to people who actually know what they're talking about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude, bit it astounds me that you/your child believe they are so superior to other potential applicants. You are aware that each year there were 1000 plus kids who did well enough on the standardized test to get to the semi-final round but only 400+ accepted?

I know several of those kids who got into the 2nd round and in no way did they deserve or could handle TJ. The first screening is not terribly selective.

Fun fact - a student under the previous process could be in the 99th percentile in both math and science and the 74th percentile in reading and that student would not qualify for the semifinalist pool.

Be careful assuming that you know kids who are not your own - what their strengths, motivations, or abilities are.

PP said the first round wasn't terribly selective. I hope they realize that 2/3 of the applicants didn't make the cut. That's 2/3 of the kids that thought they had what it takes to go to TJ. That's very selective.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I saw FCPS email stating “ it has been exciting to see the engagement of our middle school students as they submit an unprecedented number of applications to TJHHST. Thank you to our principals for the targeted outreach to eligible students to ensure families are made aware of available opportunities.”

This shouldn't be a surprise and it tells you just how much the application fee and investment of time in the exam was a deterrent to many families. Why blow $100 on an application when you're just finding out about TJ now and you're behind the curve in years of test prep?

I think it was more the mentality of "you wouldn't pass the test so it's a waste of time" or "you wouldn't be in the top 450 of applicants based on your grades and test scores so why bother." Now neither of those are deciding factors. It is basically a lottery.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is pretty good chance that Arlington will be ending its participation at TJ starting with this year's 8th graders. This willl remove a number of people from the potential pool of applicants or, at the very least, dampen the number of Arlington applicants who might say: "Why bother applying if they won't let me attend even if I get in." I think this is a terrible decision on the part of APS.

Loudoun has been talking about doing this forever, but this is the first I've heard of Arlington exploring it. What's a source on this?

They always talk about it but the families want to go to TJ and protest and win.

Anonymous wrote:There is pretty good chance that Arlington will be ending its participation at TJ starting with this year's 8th graders. This willl remove a number of people from the potential pool of applicants or, at the very least, dampen the number of Arlington applicants who might say: "Why bother applying if they won't let me attend even if I get in." I think this is a terrible decision on the part of APS.

Loudoun has been talking about doing this forever, but this is the first I've heard of Arlington exploring it. What's a source on this?

There is pretty good chance that Arlington will be ending its participation at TJ starting with this year's 8th graders. This willl remove a number of people from the potential pool of applicants or, at the very least, dampen the number of Arlington applicants who might say: "Why bother applying if they won't let me attend even if I get in." I think this is a terrible decision on the part of APS.

Anonymous wrote:I think applications are up. I'm sure they will reveal the numbers once the tests are over.

First time we usually see this is when the demographic numbers are released. This past year that happened on June 1 - it will be much later this year because of the delayed start and end to the process.

I think applications are up. I'm sure they will reveal the numbers once the tests are over.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude, bit it astounds me that you/your child believe they are so superior to other potential applicants. You are aware that each year there were 1000 plus kids who did well enough on the standardized test to get to the semi-final round but only 400+ accepted?

I know several of those kids who got into the 2nd round and in no way did they deserve or could handle TJ. The first screening is not terribly selective.

Fun fact - a student under the previous process could be in the 99th percentile in both math and science and the 74th percentile in reading and that student would not qualify for the semifinalist pool.

Be careful assuming that you know kids who are not your own - what their strengths, motivations, or abilities are.

Anonymous wrote:Not trying to be rude, bit it astounds me that you/your child believe they are so superior to other potential applicants. You are aware that each year there were 1000 plus kids who did well enough on the standardized test to get to the semi-final round but only 400+ accepted?

I know several of those kids who got into the 2nd round and in no way did they deserve or could handle TJ. The first screening is not terribly selective.