Q: Is there a California law about schools having to notify students or parents about awards/scholarships they have won?
I know there was recently a scandal about the National Merit Scholarship news being withheld from parents and students in Fairfax County, VA. A similar situation has happened to me in Southern California where the information was not given even though school officials knew about it. I am very upset about it this because it has made me lose out on potential full ride opportunities. Are there grounds to sue?
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A:
In California, there is no specific law that requires schools to notify students or parents about awards or scholarships that a student has won. However, schools generally have a duty to act in the best interest of their students, and withholding such information could raise concerns about whether the school has breached its responsibilities. It may be worthwhile to look into your school district's policies or any agreements they have regarding scholarship notifications.
If you believe the school's actions caused you to lose significant opportunities, you might want to explore whether this situation falls under negligence or another legal claim. To proceed, it would help to gather documentation showing that the school was aware of the award and intentionally withheld the information. This could support any potential case you might consider.
Given the complexity of the issue, consulting with an attorney who has experience in education law could help determine if there are legal grounds to pursue action. They can review the specifics of your situation and provide guidance on your options moving forward.
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