A Virginia school district is once again under fire for its “equality” programs — this time for offering college prep classes only to black and Hispanic students.
Fairfax County Public Schools has been under investigation by the state’s attorney general since early this year for withholding merit awards from students at Thomas Jefferson High School.
TJ’s, as the locals call it, is the top-performing public school in the United States, and awake teachers there claimed they withheld awards to encourage equity.
And now another school in the district — Cooper Middle School in McLean, Virginia — sent a letter to parents that critics also said was discriminatory.
On February 21, parents of eighth grade students were asked if their children would consider going to college and would benefit from college preparation classes.
However, classes were only available to black or Hispanic students, as well as those with disabilities, language barriers, economic disadvantage, or those who were the first in their families to enroll.
Lisa Barrow is the principal of Cooper Middle School, which has come under fire for a new program that prepares students for college — except for those who are white or Asian.
Journalist Asra Nomani, who got hold of the letter, tweeted: “In the 20th century, the Asian Exclusion Act denied Asians equal opportunity.
“Now @FCPSNews is promoting a college prep program with admission based on race, excluding Asians + Whites.
Asra Nomani first revealed the letter to the parents
“A judge has already ruled that FCPS violated the US Constitution with new anti-Asian confessions.”
Nomani noted that the benefits of the program were significant: Attendees received academic guidance, access to colleges to experience their education, and advice on “filling out college and scholarship applications.”
A father, Glenn Miller, a lawyer, told Fairfax times the arrangement was problematic.
“This program excludes children based on race, and it appears to violate the school district’s own anti-discrimination policies,” he said.
There are 17,760 black students in Fairfax County Public Schools, representing 10 percent of the total student body.
Hispanic students make up 28 percent, with 51,048 people.
The school district’s anti-discrimination policy states: “No applicant or employee on the basis of race, sex, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, pregnancy status, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, veteran status, and disability will be denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination under, any educational program or activity, as required by law.”
The school declined to comment. Thomas Jefferson was forced into a humiliating apology for withholding merit awards, which angry parents said could have been used to boost their children’s college enrollments.
Virginia GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin was outraged enough by the incident to launch a formal investigation by state attorneys.
Criminal charges against the school may follow.
Youngkin scored a surprise win in the liberal-leaning state in 2021, thanks in large part to his opposition to awakened policies, as seen in Fairfax County schools.
Democratic rival Terry McAuliffe is widely believed to have destroyed his campaign after telling parents not to interfere in what was happening in schools.
Another school board in Virginia, Loudon County, sparked national outrage with its transgender bathroom policy after a boy in a skirt assaulted two girls in bathrooms at two different high schools.
