10th Grader caught cheating on Final

[Anonymous]

I’m so embarrassed and disappointed. How do I discipline them? What do I do? How will this affect college? Child has 4.05 weighted and a 3.5 unweighted I think. Obviously not going to any top college but still concerned for a state school.

They had an A in the course. As long as they made an A on the final, the final grade would have been an A.

I just don’t understand. I am soo upset. I tried not to yell, but I did. I’m just livid. They said they heard kids talk about it in the hallway. What a stupid decision. Help.

[Anonymous]

Not excusing your kid, but why are teachers giving the same exam to separate seatings of students?

[Anonymous]

Eh, kids do stupid things. It doesn't mean he'll be a degenerate for life. Just give him disappointed looks and sigh for a couple days then move on.

[Anonymous]

You might be putting too much pressure on him to get high grades in classes that are too much for him. Talk to his teacher.

[Anonymous]

I know you’re livid and you have every right to be. The kid made a stupid decision. Try to see why they did it. Are they putting too much pressure on themselves to maintain a 4.0? Are they overwhelmed with other classes? Try and focus on what you guys can do in the future to prevent this from happening and show them that they’re able to do well without needing to cheat.

[Anonymous]

I’d require my kid to send a written apology to the teacher, the department, and the principal (as many adults directly involved as I could think of). I’d want them to include acknowledging the impact this mistake had on others, as well as what they were going to do to fix it.

As a parent, I’d try to figure out an alternate assignment that does not require extra work on the teacher’s part that is somehow tied to the class. I’d also pull privileges until it is done completely and to the best of DC’s ability.

I would not debate the school’s consequences, whether they are too harsh or too lenient in your opinion.

Good luck, OP. This is a tough one.

[Anonymous]

I don’t get how they cheated. They overheard kids talking about the test in the hallway? Is that it?

An A student who overheard some content is different than someone who smuggled notes into a closed-book exam or looked answers up online during the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get how they cheated. They overheard kids talking about the test in the hallway? Is that it?

An A student who overheard some content is different than someone who smuggled notes into a closed-book exam or looked answers up online during the test.

+1

I’m confused also

[Anonymous]

They did it out of desperation. Get their mindset in check.

[Anonymous]

How do you get caught cheating in a final?

[Anonymous]

Mine got caught cheating on a chemistry test in HS. He got a zero and I’m glad he wasn’t suspended. He retook the class in summer school. I had to pay for it and I made him pay me back. Life goes on. He’s in college now.

[Anonymous]

For a first offense, it’s better that they learn now than in college. It would be worse also if this happened in 11th or 12th. It will be okay, OP. You are a good parent for not making excuses for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m so embarrassed and disappointed. How do I discipline them? What do I do? How will this affect college? Child has 4.05 weighted and a 3.5 unweighted I think. Obviously not going to any top college but still concerned for a state school.

They had an A in the course. As long as they made an A on the final, the final grade would have been an A.

I just don’t understand. I am soo upset. I tried not to yell, but I did. I’m just livid. They said they heard kids talk about it in the hallway. What a stupid decision. Help.

If you live in Virginia, be concerned. Especially about UVA and William and Mary.

[Anonymous]

These answers are crazy. Is this public school? If so, no one cares. Not teachers, not admin. Most likely it won’t go on his record. Have your son approach the teacher and ask what they can do. Take it over? Accept a failing grade? Alternative test? Allow the school to discipline according. Again, doubt they will.

[Anonymous]

I always told my kids: it's better to give it your best personal effort and get a B (or C, or D), than cheat to try for an A. Had you told your kid that, or did you keep up a relentless pressure for straight As?