In your editorial (“What’s Wrong with This Picture?” - Connection, Jan. 24-25, 2018) you wrote that the demographic disparity in enrollment this year at Thomas Jefferson High School (TJ) indicates something is wrong and needs to be fixed. To fix this wrong condition you noted that State Senator Surovell has proposed a bill that would consider economics and geography in the selection process.
Here is my concern: I thought that admission to TJ is open to any and all students and the administration strives to assist anyone interested in achieving admission to the school. Admission is based strictly on merit, academic ability and academic achievement.
Therefore, it begs the question, what is wrong and needs to be fixed?
If the demographics at TJ are wrong and the reason for this needs to be fixed, and the solution is to consider economics and geography in admissions, then the admissions standards will be compromised and no longer based on academic ability and academic achievement.
As a final thought, if demographic percentages are so important and are the reason for the needed fix, why was the percentage of Asian students enrolled at TJ omitted?
Dan McKim
Springfield