Thread by @jennthetutor

The open and clear anti-Black sentiment forming in supporters of TJ current system, which produced 0 black applicants is disappointing.

You all keep casually coming to the students that Black students just can’t cut while knowing many TJ have similar characteristics:

1. Their parents paid for prep and/or
2. They moved to high income homes to be zoned for particular middle schools known for high acceptance rates

It’s not that our Black students can’t measure up. It’s that the deck is stacked and the probability of a student who lacks inside information on the TJ process getting the right prep book, studying in the right way, and producing the same outcome is low

We see Olympic athletes move all the time to elite training facilities because it puts them in the position to be successful. We also see TJ hungry parents move their kids to different schools and invest in tutors then pretend we all have a fair shot

Stop putting your kids in positions then claiming our students can’t cut it. You claim you want a race blind system then pretend our kids are deficient knowing there is a reason you all spend $$$ for multiple seasons a week

I’m not saying it’s wrong- I am saying cut the crap and acknowledge that

Saying a merit based system should not be based on wealth and show be examined for racial bias when it produces a predictable outcome of exclusion is absurd...

Once again and for the people in the back:

If a test produces the same racial exclusion over and over it is statistically likely that system may have something driving that outcome. That’s basic mathematical principles. It’s not higher level math

What we see is you all using test prep, then pretending the system is all merit. If it was all merit then why did so many of you feel the need to invest in test prep. You did it for a predictable outcome

You also know based on the checks you are cutting that many students can’t afford it

So you pretend well anyone could achieve what we achieved if they just work hard and study. Knowing the probability of that is low

Here’s something we can do right now @ssurovell to clear this right up. Ask TJ to survey its existing classes and have them disclose if they used a test prep tutor- make sure they sign the honor system when answering the survey

Or let’s ask follow up questions to every parent who speaks out in favor, “how much money did you spend on book, materials, tutors?” And also, “how many hours did your students devote to prep” because we all know time freedom is a privilege some students don’t have

Let’s cut the crap. You know this system is not based on merit, otherwise you wouldn’t be investing in test prep to lock in an outcome

You know it’s statistically unlikely that every Black student is doesn’t cut it in terms of merit. It’s more likely that a racial bias exist or test prep that isn’t affordable causes the outcome... stop the bs

I don’t like the anti-Asian sentiment around TJ and have been vocal around it. But I am also tired of TJ supporters turning our kids in to charity cases that are deficient while you knowingly invest in test prep

And I’m tired of you all saying by letting in Black students we are asking for weaker standards. Have you all not seen hidden figures... are you unaware of Africa’s role in the math throughout history

We are capable- your system is rigged. We aren’t asking for weaker standards and diluted curriculum- just fair ones

And if your students are as gifted and got in on merit then why are you threatened by that? Oh is it that you may lose advantages... got it