Virginia AG Investigating School District That Didn’t Inform Students of National Merit Awards in Name of Equity

Virginia AJason Miyares, the Attorney General of Texas, announced Monday that his office would be expanding. Investigating civil rights To include all of it, you can enroll in Thomas Jefferson High School Fairfax County Public Schools After high school principals made apologies for failing to recognize National Merit-Commended Students,

Miyares’ announcement continues an investigation into Fairfax County Public Schools magnet school that failed to inform students about its commendations over years. The school’s admissions process was also under investigation by the attorney general. It was overhauled in 2020.

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“It’s concerning that multiple schools throughout Fairfax County withheld merit awards from students,” Miyares made the statement in a statement. “My office will investigate the entire Fairfax County Public Schools system to find out if any students were discriminated against and if their rights were violated.”

This announcement by the attorney general comes days after principals of Langley High School and Westfield High Schools had reportedly apologized for not informing students about the commendation. They also said that they would take steps to inform college admissions offices about the recognition. According to The Fairfax Times.

“If any of the protected bases listed in the Virginia Human Rights Act was a motivating factor for Fairfax County Public Schools’ or any high school’s decision to withhold any information from a student regarding any recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, or any other merit recognition, then FCPS has violated the Virginia Human Rights Act,” Miyares wrote a Monday note to Superintendent Michelle Reid.

Kimberly Greer, principal Langley High School, and Tony DiBari principal Westfield High School apologized by email. They stated that students who were Commended Students by National Merit Scholarship Corporation did not receive information during the fall semester as it was customary.

“I must apologize that certificates were not distributed to these Langley High School students in the usual way this past fall,” Greer reportedly wrote in the email. “This is a terrible error.

FCPS issued a statement in response to the Thomas Jefferson High School reports. FCPS stated it believes that human error was the cause of the 2022 delay, and would continue its investigation. DiBari also stated that Westfield’s failure not to inform students of the award would be part the investigation.

Superintendent Reid made a statement last Wednesday in which he pledged to cooperate with Miyares’ investigation. He stated that the school district was responsible for the incident. “stands ready to work with our partners at the state level on both areas of investigation.”

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“We understand and value the hard work and dedication of each and every student, and the families and staff who support them,” Reid said. “Please be assured that we remain resolutely committed to supporting every student in reaching their unique and fullest potential.”

Fairfax County Public Schools declined to comment.