OPINION:
More than 1,000 students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia, who were named National Merit Scholars were not informed of this accomplishment in a timely manner (“Virginia’s Lt. Gov. calls for investigation into top high school that withheld merit awards,” Web, Dec. 31). Winners of the award have placed in the top 3% nationwide on the PSAT, which means enhanced college applications for early admission, scholarships and honors programs.
In an effort to spare the feelings of non-winners, the principal of the school, Ann Bonitatibus, chose not to inform these students that they had been named to this list. By the time they learned the truth, in November, the deadline for early admissions to elite colleges had passed, putting them at a distinct disadvantage. The current class found out about the deception only because a parent heard about it; the members of the previous class were never informed.
Initially, Ms. Bonitatibus and the school’s director of student affairs, Brandon Kosatka, said notification was withheld “to recognize students as individuals and not focus on their achievements.” Supposedly the move was in keeping with the school’s “‘equal outcomes for every student, without exception’” policy. Apparently the administration totally failed to notice the glaring inconsistency between the claimed goal of recognizing individuality and seeking equal outcomes.
Later, it was claimed that the notification failure was “a one-time human error” that was hopefully remedied by follow-up emails and telephone calls. A new policy is to be instituted to ensure consistent, appropriate and timely notification going forward. Yet there has been no indication that we will see disciplinary action against the principal or the other employees involved in the scheme. Stay tuned.
HESSIE L. HARRIS
Silver Spring, Maryland
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