Investigation finds FCPS did not intentionally withhold notification to Commended Students

There is no evidence that Fairfax County Public Schools deliberately withheld notification to students designated Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

That’s the key finding of an independent third-party investigation carried out by the Richmond law firm Sands Anderson at the request of FCPS. Superintendent Michelle Reid announced the results of the investigation on March 29.

Sands Anderson also “found no evidence of any inequity or racial bias in the actions” taken by schools that delayed notification or distribution of certificates to Commended Students.

Last fall, it was discovered that Commended Students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology didn’t learn about their status until after colleges’ decisions on early admissions. Similar delays subsequently surfaced at other high schools.

The issue led to politically charged claims that the delays were a deliberate attack on “merit” and that FCPS intentionally discriminated against high-achieving Asian students. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin directed Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate the issue. That report has not been released.

Related story: FCPS to investigate TJ controversy

A summary of the Sands Anderson report provided by FCPS “did not find evidence suggesting that any later-than-usual notification impaired students’ academic, professional, or financial interests, including college admissions or scholarships.”

According to the report, eight high schools – TJHSST, Annandale, Edison, Langley, Lewis, Marshall, West Potomac, and Westfield – did not notify Commended Students by Nov. 1.

A combination of factors led to delayed notification at those eight schools, Sands Anderson found, but there was no evidence that this was intentional or reflected any policy decision by FCPS or any of the eight schools.

The report cites logistical factors that varied from school to school that had nothing to do with race or any effort to downplay students’ achievements as responsible for the delayed notification. Another key factor was the lack of any uniform, division-wide policy, process, or deadline for providing such notice.

At TJHSST, the director of student services mistakenly believed that the NMSC notified students of their Commended status so did not prioritize distributing the certificates. Manual data entry, staff on leave, and other factors contributed to the delay. The investigation found no evidence to indicate there was a deliberate attempt to withhold notice at TJHSST.

With regard to Annandale High School, the investigation determined that NMSC failed to provide the Commended Student certificates to school administrators and staff. As a result, students were notified after Nov. 1.

The investigation by Miyares has required school administrators to divert significant time and attention to this issue, distracting staff away from their education-focused roles, FCPS states.

“But the greatest cost of this unfortunate episode has been borne by FCPS staff,” the school system charges. “The controversy surrounding these issues, fueled by additional press reports and by the attorney general’s public statements and press releases, has led to FCPS staff members being individually harassed and threatened, including through targeted phone calls and emails using hate-filled and threatening language.”

As a result of the controversy, FCPS adopted a rule outlining a new process for all high schools to ensure students are notified of all National Merit Scholarship honors and awards, Reid announced. Principals must notify students and parents in writing of any such recognition within two weeks.

Reid also said she spoke to both the NMSC and College Board CEOs and sent them a letter urging them to collaborate on “a multi-layered notification communications solution.” That should include electronic notification to each recognized student, their family, and the school district central office.