Statement from Fairfax County School Board Regarding National Merit Scholarship Corporation Commended Scholar Notification
With the School Board’s support and oversight, Superintendent Michelle Reid has been addressing the operational matter of notification to students designated as Commended by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). She has directed FCPS leadership and staff to review the division’s notification practices and develop systemwide protocols. She is also coordinating with principals to ensure notification to the affected Commended students and to the colleges or other programs to which they have applied if the students were not notified before their application deadlines.
Dr. Reid has already begun sharing information with the state's Office of the Attorney General and stands ready to work with them on this matter. She has also initiated a third-party, independent review and will share any key findings publicly once the review has been completed.
Additionally, Dr. Reid has reached out to the NMSC requesting that they join FCPS in reimagining a multi-layered notification system in which NMSC would also send its own notifications directly to designated Finalists, Semifinalists, and Commended Students, as well as their parents and caregivers, the schools, and FCPS central office.
The School Board echoes and supports Superintendent Reid's comments that FCPS understands and values every student's hard work, achievements, and dedication. We truly appreciate the families and staff who support them in their endeavors and will continue to review board policies to ensure student academic achievement is encouraged and recognized.
