WATCH: Harry Jackson Decries TJ’s “Anti-Asian” Admissions Scheme
Harry Jackson, whose son attends Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology (“TJ”), is blasting the magnet school’s new, “anti-Asian” admissions scheme. “TJ is 79 percent Asian,” Jackson notes. “Their new admissions process, with surgical precision, targets the Asian community, reducing their numbers down to 40 percent. This is called racial discrimination, and it is wrong.”
New Coalition Launches: “Educators for Youngkin”
Political outsider, successful business leader, and Republican nominee for governor Glenn Youngkin announced today the launch of “Educators for Youngkin,” a coalition of teachers, parents, educators, and community members across Virginia that are committed to restoring excellence in education. Glenn Youngkin and the Educators for Youngkin Coalition will work to fix standards and underperformance in all Virginia schools.
Yes, Virginia, There Is Critical Race Theory in Our Schools
School districts across Virginia have been expending resources, directing staff time, and hiring consultants to address “equity” in curriculum delivery and for professional development of teachers and other employees. Fairfax and Loudoun County, the two largest counties in the Commonwealth, have set the lead in driving the changes in education and embracing critical race theory and “anti-bias” in their respective divisions.
Mediocrity for All
The month of May represents Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This month we celebrate the culture and achievements of Asian Pacific Americans, but as a Chinese American myself, I’d also like to focus on a key issue facing our community: our public schools.
I live in Northern Virginia. It’s the wealthiest area in the entire country, yet our schools are failing us. Not because of a lack of funding, and not only because they aren’t open, but because of a perverse idea of equity that punishes success in order to make everyone equal.
Immigrant Mom to School Officials: “Treat Children as Humans, Not Identities”
On March 19th, as I sat in a hospital in India caring for my ailing mother, I got frantic texts from my child about offensive material being shown as part of 8th period mandatory social and emotional learning lessons. My child, who was very upset, sent me the slides and videos that the class was being subjected to. I was shocked to see videos of leaders of a very small but radical leftist 501(c)(4) group.
LISTEN: Larry O’Connor Interviews Harry Jackson
Concerned parent Harry Jackson joined WMAL’s Larry O’Connor Show last week, to discuss the Fairfax County School Board’s ongoing war on Thomas Jefferson School of Science and Technology (affectionately known as “TJ”). Jackson recently authored a Washington Post op-ed blasting “paternalistic White liberals” who “don’t think Black and Hispanic students have what it takes to compete on merit”
Secretary Qarni, FCPS and the Left’s War on Asians
For the Fairfax County School Board (FCSB), awash in federal impact funds, perhaps an emergency meeting is in order.
The members may wish to consider a brilliant piece by former Wall Street Journal reporter Asra Q. Nomani on October 31: The War on Asians, the Death of Meritocracy, and Assault on STEM. They should read particularly closely her section on the “National War on Asians”.
Judge: TJ Is for Gifted Students, But…
Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge John Tran denied a request by 15 local parents to force Fairfax County Public Schools to reinstate race-blind, merit-based admissions tests to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, America’s No. 1 high school, but clearly stood on the side of the parents in their noble defense of gifted education and the value of merit-based admissions.
The decision is a blow to the future of the school as a place that nurtures the area’s top science, technology, engineering and math students, as local educrats replace the test…
In Defense of Merit at Thomas Jefferson High School
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) has maintained its standards for demonstrated excellence, particularly in STEM disciplines, in great part from its steadfast support of the Fairfax County Business Community and individuals who champion academic ability. Forward thinkers knew that Virginia’s ability to attract companies to build the economy in science and technology was dependent on a stellar educational system.
VIDEO: TJ’s Role in Driving Regional Growth and Innovation
The Coalition for TJ, a grassroots project of 8,000+ parents, students, alumni and local residents advocating for diversity and excellence in education, recently held a virtual forum on the magnet school’s vital role as a catalyst for innovation and growth in the Northern Virginia region.
The forum, moderated by Thomas Jefferson Institute President Chris Braunlich, featured a dynamic list of panelists.