Only a lottery can provide a genuine opportunity for underrepresented groups at Virginia's premier school, Thomas Jefferson High School. To increase diversity in the top-rated public high school in the country, FCPS introduced a merit lottery application system for TJ’s 2021 admission cycle. The Fairfax County School Board is set to vote Thursday night to gut the race-blind, merit-based admissions testing process at Thomas Jefferson High School … Located in Alexandria, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) admits around 500 … TJ admission process reveals deep-rooted education inequity. Facebook. There will be no objective admissions test, no problem-solving essay, and no opportunity for teacher … Admissions Policy Change Proposed At Fairfax County Magnet School - Greater Alexandria, VA - The superintendent is recommending a merit lottery process to improve access to … Advertisement . The proposed plan would allow students with a 3.5 GPA and an algebra background to enter a lottery, which would determine admission. 1 ranked high school … The Fairfax County School Board is set to vote Thursday night to gut the race-blind, merit-based admissions testing process at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. “I don’t think that anyone is barred from reaching that level, but we definitely do need to have something to assess that,” Suresh said. Let’s not let a TJ diploma fall in value and respect. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Arlington, Virginia, is widely considered the best high school for math and science in the region. The proposed move for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County would have the lottery system take the place of an entry test, which has long helped determine how students are admitted to the school. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Here is the plan with analysis to come in this column. Last year, students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, one of the nation’s most prestigious public schools, marked a map hanging in a hallway with their families’ far-flung places of origin: from Seoul to Beijing to Hyderabad. The Coalition for TJ, an organization of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science snd Technology parents, students, alumni and community members, opposes the lottery system that Fairfax County Public Schools has issued to replace the current academic-based admissions process for TJ. He believes having a place where students can practice the material and connect with current students at the school would be more beneficial for students who would want to attend the school. Emily Leayman , Patch Staff Posted Fri, Dec 18, 2020 at … A column or article in the Opinions section (in print, this is known as the Editorial Pages). 1 high school. Brabrand, in announcing the proposal, said the plan removes barriers that students from culturally and ethnically diverse socioeconomic backgrounds face. As noted by a professor from Georgia, Charles Pibel, Gwinett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (GSMST) accomplishes this. Thomas Jefferson High School, a governor's school for science and technology, will have a new admissions policy for the class of 2025. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is one of 18 magnet schools in Virginia and is also 70% Asian, 19.5% White, 5% Other, 3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2% African-American. WTOP News - Parents, alumni protest after admissions process changed at Thomas Jefferson High School 21% are white, while 2% are black or Hispanic respectively. Lottery applications are due March 1, 2021. WTOP News - Parents, alumni protest after admissions process changed at Thomas Jefferson High School The remaining 400 seats will be filled by merit lottery. Under current admissions standards, Asians make up 68% of Thomas Jefferson High School students. 0. Thomas Jefferson — known as TJ — is often ranked the No. Love Will Win Posted 11/12/2020. Suresh is urging the school system to slow down its plan for bringing about the change, and he plans to vocalize his concerns at a virtual town hall meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. Suresh said that while he opposes the lottery system, he does support Brabrand’s call for a $100 application fee to become a thing of the past. Recently Published. WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM, Northam urges patience for vaccine rollout, Biden administration ramps up COVID-19 response. There is evidence to back this up. School officials claim that the new lottery-based proposal would serve to reduce the share of Asian students in the Class of 2024 from 73 percent to 54 percent, while increasing black and Hispanic representation. Thomas Jefferson High alumni gathered Sunday outside the school for a rally to change the way students are admitted. A proposal is on the table to move to a merit-based lottery system at one of Northern Virginia's elite magnet high schools. Many of us are parents, students and alumni of Fairfax County Public Schools and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a Governor’s School in Alexandria, Va. We are members of the Coalition for TJ, advocating for diversity and excellence at TJ. “Lowell High School is one of the gems of public education,” parents wrote in a petition arguing against the lottery system and urging school officials to explore alternatives. 703-750-8315 . 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NBC4 - Parents, Students of Prestigious Fairfax County School Protest End to Rigorous Admission Test. The frozen tundra is greener on the other side for TJ’s favorite principal, and winning the lottery may just be the best thing that has never happened to Sandra Just. 2021-22 Lottery information. 1 public high school in the United States. Lowering competitive entrance standards can have far-reaching effects. Thomas Jefferson High School, a governor's school for science and technology, will have a new admissions policy for the class of 2025. Kids who have been taking extra courses and studied for years to bolster their chances of acceptance at TJ will have their hopes smashed instantaneously under the new proposal. Located in Alexandria, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) admits around 500 top students in the Northern Virginia area each year. The lottery applications are only for NEW incoming students, which include siblings not already enrolled. Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand has presented recommendations to the Fairfax County School Board to revise the admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), the governor’s regional school, in order to promote access to historically underserved students. Located in Alexandria, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJ) admits around 500 top students in the Northern Virginia area each year. TJ graduates can likely get into any college or university in the United States. But it only took 12 Democratic members of the Fairfax County School Board only 12 minutes and 11 seconds on Tuesday night, October 6, during an online meeting to kill the school, eliminating its race-blind, merit-based admissions test. Twitter. More News ; Upcoming Events. Only a lottery can provide a genuine opportunity for underrepresented groups at Virginia's premier school, Thomas Jefferson High School. ThomasJeffersonHigh.Attendance@fcps.edu. ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Current students at Thomas Jefferson High School and Science Technology sent a letter to Fairfax County public officials, saying the flawed lottery plan announced earlier this week is “not the solution” to increasing underrepresented communities at the America’s No. WDVM 25 News - ‘Memorial’ held at Thomas Jefferson High School after FCPS adopts new admissions policies. ReddIt. The lottery applications are only for NEW incoming students, which include siblings not already enrolled. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We encourage you to get educated. Share. High School | Home of the … Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology, another top-performing STEM school in Georgia, admits its student body entirely by lottery. NBC4 - Parents, Students of Prestigious Fairfax County School Protest End to Rigorous Admission Test. 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