Merit Award Notices Would Be Required Under Bill Youngkin Seeks

VIRGINIA — Gov. Glenn Youngkin is seeking legislation as numerous Northern Virginia schools have been found to have not notified students about National Merit Scholarship Corporation commendations before key college and scholarship application deadlines.

The controversy over the delayed notifications relates to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's commended students honor, not the semifinalists or finalists chosen to compete for annual National Merit Scholarships. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, commended students will not be considered for National Merit Scholarships, but some may be candidates for business and corporation-sponsored special scholarships.

An investigation by Attorney General Jason Miyares began when it was found Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology did not initially notify students with the commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. That investigation expanded when it was found additional Fairfax County public schools did not notify students about the commendations.

WJLA reported Tuesday that 16 schools in Northern Virginia had not notified students in a timely manner, including a few in Prince William and Loudoun counties.

New legislation being sought by Youngkin would prohibit schools from withholding information from students or their parents about recognitions, awards and scholarships. The legislation is intended for award information solely provided to schools. It would apply to any awards or eligibility based on students' performance on the PSAT or that would affect a student's ability to be admitted to a higher education institution.

"The legislation I’ve asked Senator [Siobhan] Dunnavant and Delegate [Nick] Freitas to introduce today will ensure that merit and accolades are celebrated in the Commonwealth," said Youngkin in a statement. "We will not allow our students and their parents to be left uninformed of their hard-earned recognition in what we now know was widespread across more than a dozen schools in multiple school divisions."

Youngkin shared a belief that the commendations were withheld "in the name of equity."

Prince William County Public Schools had told WJLA in a statement the withholding of the notification was "due to an accidental administrative oversight."

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid previously released a statement apologizing for the error and indicating a third party review was launched. Reid said staff notified families and contacted colleges the affected students applied to after learning about the delay.

Loudoun County Public Schools also conducted a review of its 17 high schools to determine if the notifications were made. The review found four high schools did not yet notify students with the commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. LCPS said in a statement it has now notified remaining commended students and will seek improvements in the notification process.