MASC/MAHS Newsletter
Fall 2004
Volume 3, Issue 1

Non-Selection of an NHS/NJHS Candidate

Question:
My student wasn’t selected to be part of his/her school’s National Honor Society Chapter. He/She has a grade point average above the required GPA, is involved in a few different groups within the school and within our community, displays exemplary character, and engages in service activities throughout the year. I want to know why my student wasn’t selected – who can I go to and what can I ask them? Can I be told any more information other than “Your son/daughter was not selected”?

Answer:
According to the National Honor Society Handbook, the faculty council is not obligated to share the information regarding selection/non-selection. Many schools, on an individual basis, choose to share the information, and the NHS supports this choice, but again, the faculty council is not obligated to disclose that information.

Students that are not selected to the NHS can appeal the decision by going through the proper avenues outlined in their school chapter’s NHS Constitution and Bylaws.

In Michigan, it is up to the local school district to make a final decision on whether or not information is provided regarding non-selection. Check with your local school district and find out what they have to say about FRPA (Family Rights and Privacy Act) and FOIA (Freedom of Information Act).

Quoted from National Honor Society Handbook:
Non-Selection

Not selecting a student who has already been identified as being academically eligible can present a difficult situation…The NHS Constitution requires that a description of the selection procedure be published in an official school publication widely available to all students and their parents (Article IX, Section 4). This description should be well written and thorough in its portrayal for the selection process. In cases of non-selection, special efforts should be made to explain the selection process to those students who are unhappy about the results of the selection process.

Appeals in Cases on Non-selection
Chapters are not legally or constitutionally obligated to share with parents and students information concerning specific students not selected for membership…It is, however, a common or traditional expectation of school personnel to be able to explain how decisions regarding the growth and development of a student on campus were made and, furthermore, to provide effective direction to such students to assist them in reaching their goals…This tradition may influence the procedures used in the local process for notifying and counseling with non-selected candidates.

Since the chapter adviser is closest to the selection process, it is this individual who is best prepared to provide immediate feedback. Should students or parents still not be satisfied, the next level of discussion should take place with the principal. The principal should, of course, listen to the concerns of students not selected, or from the parents of such students. Following such discussions, if the principal believes that some kind of technical or procedural mistake has been made, the principal may ask the Faculty Council to reconvene to review the situation…

If a non-selected student or his/her parents wish to challenge the principal’s decision they should follow the local school system complaint procedure.

The National Council and the NASSP have no authority to review or overturn the judgment of the Faculty Council regarding selection of individual members to local chapters.