Virginia Schools Conceal National Merit Awards: A Quest for Equity or Something Else?

Students work hard to qualify for the national merit award, but one state’s schools decided that some students don’t deserve their award because of the color of their skin. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin criticized state education officials after several schools failed to inform students that they had won national merit awards, claiming the move was done in the name of “equity.” National merit awards are highly prestigious honors for high school students, with only 50,000 students out of the top 1.5 million PSAT scores receiving it. Governor Youngkin has ordered an investigation into the public schools and is also calling for an inquiry into the use of public funds. He has stated that “The schools have a maniacal focus on equal outcomes for all students at all costs, and at the heart of the American dream is excelling, advancing, stretching and recognizing that we have students with different capabilities.” For more information, Lars speaks with Joe Thomas, the Program Director for 107.5/1260 WCHV in Charlottesville, VA and host of “Joe Thomas In-The-Morning” 5-9a “Freedom & Prosperity Radio.”