BREAKING: Lottery Admissions Plan for No. 1 High School. Earns 'F.'
Fairfax County to Eliminate Merit Admissions at No. 1 High School
By Asra Q. Nomani
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Fairfax County Public Schools uploaded a flawed plan to eliminate the race-blind, merit-based admissions to America’s No. 1 high school and replace it with a euphemism it calls “merit lottery,” but there is little merit and more lottery.
The plan has already drawn wide criticism from parents and community members, earning an “F” for its failure to engage the public with transparency and offer effective strategies for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Here is the plan with analysis to come in this column. Please add your comments below.
The bottomline: You get a 3.5 GPA and you get put into a “Merit Lottery.”
3:36 p.m. FCPS hasn’t even issued its proposal to the school board but the word has spread. Students, parents and community members hate it.
Some feedback.
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ADMISSIONS MERIT LOTTERY PROPOSAL SCHOOL BOARD WORK SESSION 9/15/2020
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
1. TJ Admissions “Merit Lottery” Proposal
Fairfax County Public schools gives its “proposal” quite the euphemism: “merit lottery.” It’s an oxymoron. And this is not really a “proposal.” The timeline (below) makes it clear this is a scheme that is not a “proposal” but an action plan.
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2. “Leading with equity”
Brabrand says TJ should “reflect the diversity of FCPS, the community and Northern Virginia.” FCPS officials are setting the stage for their final ultimatum: match TJ demographics to the demographics of “Northern Virginia,” to “enhance” another concept of critical race theory: “diversity and inclusion.”
Fairfax County implemented an “equity” plan, called “One Fairfax,” that was imported from consultants outside the county.
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3. Setting the Benchmark
In Fairfax County, almost one of three Fairfax County public school students are economically disadvantaged students, and almost one of three students is an English language learner.
In Fairfax County, racial demographics split up this way: 37.8 percent are white; 19.5 percent are Asian; 26.8 percent are Hispanic; 9.8 percent are Black; and 5.8 percent are two or more races.
Remember the idea TJ should “reflect the diversity of FCPS” set forward? Now you know what’s coming….
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4. Show the Asian Surge
Look at the data, they show. It’s a surge in Asians. The Asian invasion.
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![page5image1690945952 page5image1690945952](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee0bb214-0739-4e50-8d72-023d14f0d74c_929x582.png)
*FCPS students only
![page5image1690949072 page5image1690949072](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9013e396-bc33-4c3d-820b-e480467da845_935x579.png)
*FCPS students only
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Raw numbers not provided due to confidentiality requirements pursuant to VA. Code 2.23705.4(1)
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History of Admissions Changes
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
2011 (Class of 2016) – Outreach Specialist Position Created
2013 (Class of 2018) – Holistic Review
• Student Information Sheet proctored
2014 (Class of 2019) – Sliding Scale Adjusted
• Minimum semifinalist requirements lowered
2015 (Class of 2020) – Problem Solving Essay Added
2016 (Class of 2021) – Outreach Specialist Reduced to 0.5 Position
2017 (Class of 2022) – New Tests Introduced
• Quant-Q and ACT Aspire Reading & Science
These changes have not made a significant impact on
the application pool or admitted student demographics
6
Current Admissions Process
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
Application
• Application Fee ($100) • Core GPA 3.0
• Algebra I
• 8th grade/residency
Semifinalist Considerations
Percentile Ranks
• Quant-Q
• ACT Aspire Reading • ACT Aspire ScienceMaintain Core GPA 3.0
Holistic Review
• Teacher Recommendations • Student Information Sheet
• Problem Solving Essay
• Percentile Ranks• Math & Science GPA
Offers
• Top 480-500 students receive offers
7
![page7image1692342576 page7image1692342576](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F709cd08d-3720-46d7-aef5-ad6572123da0_429x99.png)
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Impact of Testing – Class of 2015
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
• Admissions Testing has been a barrier for historically underrepresented students to move to the semifinalist stage.
![page8image1691005728 page8image1691005728](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb264bc43-5f84-40dd-9471-abd7d31df249_391x383.png)
![page8image1691006032 page8image1691006032](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa3a34fa5-d5f1-4f26-b85d-be2269bf6d6d_423x397.png)
![page8image1691006336 page8image1691006336](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9165f2ab-7d94-46e2-b7d8-d297782881e3_167x178.png)
English Language Learners – 8.2% Economically Disadvantaged – 7.3%
English Language Learners – 4.1% Economically Disadvantaged – 1.6%
Raw numbers not provided due to confidentiality requirements pursuant to VA. Code 2.23705.4(1)
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Impact of Testing – Class of 2019
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
• Admissions Testing has been a barrier for historically underrepresented students to move to the semifinalist stage.
English Language Learners – 2.6% English Language Learners – 1.1% Economically Disadvantaged – 6.0% Economically Disadvantaged – 2.1%
![page9image1720425568 page9image1720425568](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F93859cbc-a700-4d24-9c28-512d3b5de2a3_419x403.png)
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Raw numbers not provided due to confidentiality requirements pursuant to VA. Code 2.23705.4(1)
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Impact of Testing – Class of 2024
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
• Admissions Testing has been a barrier for historically underrepresented students to move to the semifinalist stage.
English Language Learners – 2.7% English Language Learners – 0.6% Economically Disadvantaged – 7.2% Economically Disadvantaged – 1.4%
![page10image1694449552 page10image1694449552](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F14419ffb-903d-4142-8749-52606912fd6e_412x377.png)
![page10image1882308480 page10image1882308480](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3fc7be63-2c0b-4076-9dc9-d6036d7ffdba_413x399.png)
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Raw numbers not provided due to confidentiality requirements pursuant to VA. Code 2.23705.4(1)
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Merit Lottery Proposal
Expanding Our Talent Search
![page11image1693423888 page11image1693423888](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F048df517-756a-481f-be6d-a087413f19c1_720x321.png)
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
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![page11image1693418304 page11image1693418304](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F19487021-2a9f-43df-8f3b-b82640a946b2_117x34.png)
Process Overview
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
Current Process
Application Requirements • Coreclass3.0GPA
• EnrolledinAlgebraI
• ResidencyRequirements • ApplicationFee
• AssessmentPercentileRanking • Quant-Q
• ACT Aspire Reading & Science Holistic Review
• StudentInformationSheet
• GPA
• TeacherRecommendations
• Problem-solving Essay
• AssessmentPercentileRanking
Proposed Process
Application Requirements
CoreClass3.5GPA
EnrolledinAlgebraI
ResidencyRequirements
Revised Student Information Sheet to include questionnaire/essay
Selection by Merit Lottery Removes:
• ApplicationFee
• AssessmentPercentileRanking • TeacherRecommendations
• Problem-solving Essay
![page12image1720641920 page12image1720641920](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F85e56bfb-1951-4486-b0c4-e5919db6a1a2_197x2.png)
![page12image1720642208 page12image1720642208](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb37739db-451a-4853-a65e-8a1754bc1360_174x2.png)
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Merit Lottery Process
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
Students are placed into
lottery pathways after a holistic review.
Rolling
![page13image1883523984 page13image1883523984](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F036c41a5-1270-4827-9c31-d7e440ae86fc_52x52.png)
![page13image1883524576 page13image1883524576](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbcdabe0f-9e04-4026-a34a-23ad31aca326_435x79.png)
AdmissioStnudsents are randomly selected within
their pathways. Process
![page13image1883533856 page13image1883533856](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8d03034f-29ed-4410-ad24-20d35b4b90d8_52x52.png)
![page13image1883534448 page13image1883534448](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F701b37aa-a112-44b7-9690-b97e174eca45_435x79.png)
Offer letters are sent.
Students have a designated timeframe to accept or reject their offer.
Rolling admissions are established to keep a class of 500.
![page13image1883552880 page13image1883552880](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F259e6c06-1620-455a-9be5-47795730b673_52x52.png)
![page13image1883553472 page13image1883553472](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fad242257-40a4-47bb-99cd-bb7d6e1c7ff3_435x79.png)
![page13image1883554064 page13image1883554064](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F943f14ec-4ed6-409a-8000-4abcb9e025be_52x52.png)
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Pathways
•
Pathways have been designed to ensure equitable access for students across all regions in FCPS and participating jurisdictions
Arlington County
Fairfax County
Falls Church City
Loudoun County
Prince William County
Qualified students will be selected by a merit lottery within each pathway
•
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
![page14image1864464544 page14image1864464544](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faef67fcf-1a21-4210-a034-8c1b7f591a68_426x86.png)
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
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Pathway Composition
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
![page15image1691088768 page15image1691088768](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9935c4d1-df25-426f-a635-18b0c061700a_251x169.png)
![page15image1691089200 page15image1691089200](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb7e878b2-8be9-4a93-bcf3-69bdaeed8d8b_251x251.png)
FCPS: 350 seats (70 per region)
Loudoun: 62 seats
Arlington: 18 seats
Falls Church: 2 seats
Prince William: 68 seats
Private school applicants will be assigned a pathway based on residency
Region 1 Region 2
Loudoun
Prince William
Region 5
![page15image1691125952 page15image1691125952](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1df99916-292e-4484-841b-9513d4cf755b_38x22.png)
![page15image1691126368 page15image1691126368](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc92508d0-8280-4b6b-85a6-b4b9a99fb698_56x30.png)
The numbers represented are based on the allowed ratio student cap for the 2019-2020 freshman application
Region 3
Region 4
![page15image1691141728 page15image1691141728](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5caaa33-fa7e-4abd-90f7-e01996b2f96e_589x56.png)
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FCPS Regional Pathways
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
![page16image1834203328 page16image1834203328](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F43313063-520a-4766-b3c1-3238f49b935d_251x169.png)
Region 1 Carson Cooper Herndon Hughes Thoreau
Region 2 Glasgow Holmes Jackson Kilmer Longfellow Poe
Region 3 Hayfield Key Sandburg Twain Whitman
Region 4 Irving
Lake Braddock Liberty Robinson South County
Region 5 Franklin Frost Lanier Rocky Run Stone
![page16image1834235824 page16image1834235824](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1ab5c119-0321-4a10-9352-427684e6f75c_72x2.png)
![page16image1834236112 page16image1834236112](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe964e492-2359-44f1-915c-0f0273c422b6_72x2.png)
![page16image1834236400 page16image1834236400](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2ca166eb-d03c-434f-97f7-a88bb03eadd0_72x2.png)
![page16image1834236688 page16image1834236688](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5bbba7e-2dea-4c2b-8019-5e55a49d7224_72x2.png)
![page16image1834236976 page16image1834236976](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F26600c8a-8f51-4e41-ae8a-49a408c06d71_72x2.png)
Applicants will be placed in Region based on the students’ base school
![page16image1834245888 page16image1834245888](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc61da3a4-d0c2-443e-8538-c91257108850_555x107.png)
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Rolling Admissions Process
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
![page17image1834339552 page17image1834339552](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2653d76f-1803-49a1-9f13-ec00e650a53c_251x169.png)
![page17image1834340272 page17image1834340272](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdafd3b7f-88f0-4d3c-8a0b-682a08b591bb_448x78.png)
Each pathway will maintain a list of students not chosen in the initial merit lottery. Students will be placed on the list in the order their names were drawn.
AdmissOipoeninsgs in each pathway will be filled with the first name on the list for that pathway.
![page17image1834370944 page17image1834370944](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd7d26288-bcf8-4062-a8c5-3bcdd04d9e20_51x51.png)
Rolling
![page17image1834372976 page17image1834372976](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92c2fb2e-492e-4a6c-97e7-076c3257f431_448x78.png)
Process
![page17image1834374576 page17image1834374576](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5ad3c994-4e89-4997-aa13-f6796c52ad1a_51x51.png)
![page17image1834375168 page17image1834375168](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F78308b3d-1b92-4752-8a28-7ea03360945f_448x78.png)
Should a non-FCPS pathway exhaust its list of students, the next eligible candidate off the FCPS list will be chosen.
As needed, additional applicants will be offered on the 1st and 15th of every month through end of 1st Quarter in order to maintain a class of 500.
Any student who declines the offer of admission will be removed from eligibility.
![page17image1834415776 page17image1834415776](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15c2ee82-dd36-4c2a-bad5-d2dc4fadbb49_51x51.png)
![page17image1834416368 page17image1834416368](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff1c3bafd-dfeb-4575-a04d-f0df5fb41457_448x78.png)
![page17image1834416656 page17image1834416656](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F56b916e6-a432-4141-8a1c-0e9564cea703_51x51.png)
![page17image1834371648 page17image1834371648](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F52696324-ae94-43ce-bcae-2bee65c6de6b_448x78.png)
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Impact of Merit Lottery – Class of 2015
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
![page18image1691063264 page18image1691063264](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F89ddcdf8-c36d-4bfc-a0fe-e3e863a655fc_251x169.png)
Percent of Offered Students Using Current Holistic Process
Percent of Offered Students Using Merit Lottery
![page18image1690918304 page18image1690918304](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0b764ae4-70b4-437a-831d-88cf203bb2e3_425x418.png)
![page18image1690918608 page18image1690918608](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff63b1336-f9d0-4058-956a-ee036b4e64d1_451x432.png)
![page18image1690918912 page18image1690918912](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd37fae73-ea19-4da4-b4a0-c1f518af8bc6_167x178.png)
Economically Disadvantaged: 2.9% English Language Learners: 0.8%
Economically Disadvantaged: 7.0% English Language Learners: 8.9%
Raw numbers not provided due to confidentiality requirements pursuant to VA. Code 2.23705.4(1)
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Impact of Merit Lottery – Class of 2019
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
Percent of Offered Students Using Current Holistic Process
Percent of Offered Students Using Merit Lottery
Economically Disadvantaged: 8.8% English Language Learners: 2.3%
![page19image1883613616 page19image1883613616](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7f5d5821-ea7a-4a66-af1e-5c153ece0567_454x428.png)
![page19image1883613920 page19image1883613920](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F183ec511-67f0-4759-a63e-273056b6e974_517x531.png)
![page19image1883614224 page19image1883614224](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2622db16-edc2-4c22-a3f9-42785919e29b_167x178.png)
Economically Disadvantaged: 1.2% English Language Learners: 1.0%
Raw numbers not provided due to confidentiality requirements pursuant to VA. Code 2.23705.4(1)
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Impact of Merit Lottery – Class of 2024
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
Percent of Offered Students Using Current Holistic Process
Percent of Offered Students Using Merit Lottery
Economically Disadvantaged: 10.3% English Language Learners: 3.4%
![page20image1721191856 page20image1721191856](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F37d71640-f3dd-4705-9c35-759ea47e60e1_434x452.png)
![page20image1721192160 page20image1721192160](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbaf3ee0a-fcfe-4544-a0ed-050d70852365_391x409.png)
![page20image1721192464 page20image1721192464](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F211b32c1-e162-4862-a2bd-9ff5740d4908_167x178.png)
Economically Disadvantaged: 0.6% English Language Learners: 0.6%
Raw numbers not provided due to confidentiality requirements pursuant to VA. Code 2.23705.4(1)
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Critical Decision Timeline:
dCurrent Process
• Application • Fall
• OrderingofTestingMaterials
• Beginning of October (paper or online)
• Testing
• Late Fall
• SemifinalistRelease • Mid –January
![page21image1834493616 page21image1834493616](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbd10e4b1-120b-4654-ae80-a9669e370a98_174x3.png)
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
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•
Final Offers • April
Critical Decision Timeline:
dRevised Process
Board and Community Input
• CommunityOutreach/TownHalls
• Late September/early October • FinalProposal
• October 8 School Board meeting If Recommended
• Targeted Outreach
• Revisions to Regulation 3355
• Late fall
• Development of Revised Process
• Fall/winter • Application
• December/January
• Implement Merit Lottery • February/March
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
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Targeted Outreach
School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
Present to students in every public school (FCPS and participating jurisdictions)
Present to parents and the community in evening sessions Send recruitment emails/letters to all eligible students
Conduct a virtual open house to include a tour, student speakers, teachers presenting their programs, and an overview of student supports
Conduct targeted recruitment of underrepresented students
![page23image1834644464 page23image1834644464](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2cd92f0d-ebf1-46d0-af89-d40a900cf7ac_664x100.png)
![page23image1834644752 page23image1834644752](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa54936a1-b067-4394-be82-2f1833ad82d6_90x77.png)
![page23image1834645696 page23image1834645696](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc5df41ba-ef30-4c93-94ba-2c274f27f0bc_664x100.png)
![page23image1834645984 page23image1834645984](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4dd5291c-8dbc-4f45-beaf-57722a4f941f_101x87.png)
![page23image1834646768 page23image1834646768](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F02c7e53c-906f-4313-8bc5-e5332f575d22_664x99.png)
![page23image1834647056 page23image1834647056](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcf048da4-9755-4a65-82cf-c16721f58c8f_104x66.png)
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School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
Additional Work
Enhancingtheadmissionsprocessisone step in a multi-pronged strategy
Enhancingandexpandingthepipelineby ensuring equitable access to rigorous STEM instruction at the elementary and middle school level
EnsuringaCaringCultureforallTJHSST students
Transition resources for students
Professional development for staff
• Supporting unique needs of all learners
• Wrap-around support for students
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School Board Work Session 9/15/2020
Appendix
Links to other schools using a Lottery System. Many of these schools are highly rated (US News Report) and use a similar variety of the lottery model to select students.
http://www.enrollbasis.com/enrollment/enrollment-faqs/ (Basis – Arizona)https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/6040 (Gwinnett)
https://ics.lwsd.org/about-us/application-process (International Community School - Washington)
http://www.mps.k12.al.us/for_parents/magnet_schools (Loveless/Montgomery Schools)
https://rahs.highlineschools.org/admissions/lottery-process (Raisbeck)https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/national-rankings/stem
Why don’t we just shut down TJ instead? Let’s give up #1 high school in Virginia overnight instead of seeing this happen after the public officials who proposed such ridiculous change move to other higher positions, without being held accountable at all for any mess they created. Return all the taxes I paid so that we can afford to send kids to private schools which will not consider any lottery system. Do our children worth less than private-schools kids? They have to bet their future on chance, right? Do they deserve fair treatment or not? Will their effort matter or only money can buy them justice?
Lottery for education? How many people with winning lotteries have succeeded in the past? How about make sports team as lottery based? Even better, make election process as lottery based too. What a joke!