<p>“There are of course punishments for academic dishonesty, but come on, who gets caught? And seriously, who has the guts to turn someone in? I’m pretty sure that person will get socially ostracized.”</p>
<p>If the concept of cheating moves you enough to make a discussion of it, why would anything stop you from reporting this to teachers? You are upset over the problem, so fix it. Teachers and other school faculty are supposed to keep these things confidential. Send an e-mail, fake going after school for help, or go for help and then talk to them afterward. Stress that you wish to remain anonymous. They will keep these matters quiet, I believe… You do realize you fear being “socially ostracized” by people whose moral character is lacking, correct? Do you understand how ridiculous that is? Why would it matter if you were liked among a group of deceitful, lazy, and manipulative people? </p>
<p>I see your perspective as I am a junior in high school. I’ve witnessed cheating. I’ve been the culprit of somewhat hurtful behavior to other classmates. Regardless, sphalerite is correct. Some of these people will be your competitors, and it won’t matter come Fall and Winter of your senior year when you have to compete with students who have dishonest 3.9 GPAs because you and other students were too fearful of their social welfare to tell a teacher in confidence of their dishonesty.</p>
<p>I don’t mean this post to attack you. The fact that there is something that is obviously bothering you, and you have not even tried to address the problem is… Silly. You assume defeat, you assume pointlessness without even the slightest effort. If you are aware of this, but you have yet to report this, you are nearly as dishonest as they are. Most schools have a code of conduct you’re advised to follow, and I guarantee these students are breaking it. I guarantee by turning the other cheek you are causing more of it, and are defacing the school’s claim to have respectable, moral students (considering most high schools promote their students as such.) If you tell your guidance counselor and/or teachers, you’ll see the benefits. The students will be reprimanded or discouraged by detention, parent calls, or suspension; they may receive zeroes on some work (a decrease in their scores,) etc. Their GPAs may drop as result, and they will lose ranking. They may simply continue, but you can report it again. Or, they may stop and put effort into their work, improving their character… There can be benefits if you do this. Social rifts will not last. </p>
<p>I encourage you to say something. If I had another chance, I would.</p>