By withholding merit-based rewards from high performing students, at least three Northern Virginia school divisions – Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax Counties — have systematically disadvantaged high performing students, limiting their hard-earned access to scholarships and college admissions.
Merit based systems are at the heart of the American dream – the dream to work hard, stretch capabilities and persevere towards a better life regardless of your background or zip code. For many students, the National Merit award would have been their “golden ticket” to do just that.
However, late last year it was brought to light that the leadership at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, a nationally ranked public high school in Alexandria, Va. that’s known for its rigor and advanced STEM education, took that dream away. And it didn’t stop there.
