The National Merit Scholarship Program for high school student is an annual academic competition for college scholarships and recognition based upon PSAT test scores. Seen as very competitive and prestigious, 1.5 million students apply each year, while only 7,250 finalists are awarded scholarships.
In Fairfax County, Virginia, 14 schools have been of accused of withholding merit awards from students for up to two years in the name of equity, thereby denying graduates the opportunity to put this information on college applications and/or miss scholarship deadlines.
“I am stunned by news reports alleging that information about National Merit Awards, as determined by student PSAT scores, was withheld from students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology until after important deadlines for college scholarships had passed.”
Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin
But the story gets worse. In the same timeframe the scandal was unfolding, Fairfax County Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid paid an equity consultant a whopping $455,000 for nine months of work. Dr. Reid also publicly stated that her main objective is equal outcomes for all students at all costs.
The Virginia Attorney General is now investigating the matter and criminal charges for the school officials involved are quite possible and costly civil lawsuits are likely to follow. It’s quite ironic that people seeking to be fair are doing something potentially illegal . . .there is nothing altruistic about that.
