<p>Depressing. I've observed, through the years, that very high-achieving students caught cheating suffer less severe consequences than more average students. I know of a case here where two top seniors at a highly reputed prep school were given a tap on the wrist, for doing something that should have resulted in expulsion. I wonder if others feel that this is the case?</p>
<p>My son used to say that the student who was 5th in his class of around 800 kids in high school used to cheat a lot. The high school does reasonably well in terms of academic rigor. Never got caught, if that was true. Being 5th is no mean achievement, in that high school. I can't substantiate the cheating allegiations. Said student is at a very prestigious university now...</p>
<p>I have another idea: what if all the non-cheaters in the top 10 unexpectely BOYCOTT the ceremony-- because it is a SHAM. That might get the attention of the papers. Or, when this kid accepts diploma, everyone could release a black balloon.</p>
<p>This is revolting. If I were you and my info was iron-clad, I would absolutely contact the school board members. The principal is acting fraudulently, and ultimately against the best interests of the student body of the HS. If info like this gets to the college that this girl is attending, there could be years of backlash against the HS (and its legitimate students) for not revealing it to the adcom. Thus the principal's actions threaten many future students by blackening the reputation of the HS and making all academic honors completely meaningless.</p>
<p>Further, the principal's actions are a slap in the face to all the teachers. How demoralizing it must be that to all the teachers that there is no consequence to cheating in their classes!</p>
<p>Sorry, no "There, there" from me! You are righteously angry and I would be too!</p>
<p>Yes, I think that contacting the school board would be appropriate -- IF one is sure that the info is true. Many parents and students should contact the board, and give their own names. Anonymous allegations are worthless. </p>
<p>Assuming that the allegation is true, what occurred is wrong and those who are infuriated by this need to have the guts to make their displeasure clearly known to the school board or school superintendent.</p>
<p>Yes, you need to know the allegations are true, and have evidence to prove it (sorry, don't remember the original thread). Fear of litigation is always in the minds of administrators who have to rule on cases of academic dishonesty, and for good reason.</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, this girl is in NHS. NHS requires is membership to be of sound moral character. We had a boy in my son's hs class that was caught cheating and had his NHS membership revoked. I would think NHS would want to have no part in a school who's affairs are handled as such. I do not think the students graduating from this school owe it to the principal or cheater to offer up even polite applause. Silence would be a worse and more embarrassing punishment, in my opinion, than a slap on the wrist and more appropriate for what was done - both on the part of the principal and the student.</p>
<p>Not only does this offend the kids who did what they were supposed to do, but it offends all persons of faith who live their beliefs and do the right thing on a daily basis. However, those persons of faith can also find comfort in the fact that the actions of these individuals will not go unnoticed by the one who counts and I would see silence at the graduation as a public statement of one's faith and values - and so might a politically minded school board.</p>
<p>Wow, popped back in!</p>
<p>To answer some questions:</p>
<p>Yes, the student WAS in NHS. Not any more. At least that punishment went through. They will be the only one in the top ten not wearing an NHS stole.</p>
<p>Yes, the cheating is documented. There have been two ISS (in school suspensions) and they keep lists for attendance purposes. Two of the incidents involve my son directly--his work. Most of the incidents occurred in two of his classes. There is a third class that this has also happened in, but he's not in there.</p>
<p>Yes, the teachers feel like they are not supported, and the students feel that they are getting slapped in the face as well. One of the students that had their work "appropriated" will have to sit with the cheater in the top ten. How's that for an award!</p>
<p>I did email the superintendent and the school board that they should contact the school about this particular student. It helps that the latest incident happened just last week. Fresh on everyone's minds. </p>
<p>I'm not going to the press. I'm not sure that it would do any good anyway. </p>
<p>And as far as the college is concerned, that is for the high school office to handle. If they elect not to, I feel bad that UT will get a cheater, but undoubtedly the cheater will cheat again and be removed. I feel that bringing this to the attention of two entities above the principal (and thus exposing the situation) is the best course of action. If they choose not to do anything, then I'll have to be satisfied with the there, theres on this board and the fact that my child will be at another college, away from the cheater.</p>
<p>Interesting you should bring up faith alongfortheride, as this student is very religious, or outwardly so. </p>
<p>And as for a mini-Blair, no...no connections or money, and the parents have not been involved other than they have been called in to conference. The mother reportedly threw a hissy when one scholarship was stripped. But there seem to be several more that have not been...and who knows what else will drop??</p>
<p>And so here we are. It will be interesting to see what happens. I think sitting in stony silence when this child's name is called would be appropriate. Like the walk of shame at the Citadel where the cadets turn their backs.</p>
<p>Edit: I might add that if anything does transpire, my son gains nothing but peace of mind--he will not gain directly by getting scholarship dollars or moving into the top ten. I think that makes me a good person to pursue this, because he does not benefit.</p>
<p>Have the other parents contacted the school board too?</p>
<p>Yes, it's important to have other parents and students contact the school board -- especially those who as is the case with your son would not directly benefit if there are appropriate sanctions against the student who cheated. And it will be necessary for all to provide their own names so that their statements are credible.</p>
<p>What needs to be done, is at the ceremony: No applause for cheater. When other deserving kids go up, LOUD APPLAUSE> When cheater goes up, silence. No congratulations. I am sure the other parents are aware. </p>
<p>And why not send the press or schoalrship the data on student. If student is SOOOO good at getting publicity, just a list of documented evernts will suffice. If it is ignore, fine, but if it is not.....What truth is truth.</p>
<p>I strongly suggest getting more parents to let the school board know what's going on. The cheating student isn't the only problem. The principal who won't uphold ethical standards is even more of a problem. The principal's behavior is demoralizing to all teachers and to honest students. It also encourages students to cheat.</p>
<p>IMO the principal is not deserving of being at the helm of a school.</p>
<p>Northstarmom- Right On...I agree. What do you have to lose at this point>? Its a sham, everyone knows it, but sitting through the farce only encourages the cheaters.</p>
<p>I like SBMom's idea of the black balloons. There's no question that it would send a strong message.</p>
<p>Am I the only one who wonders how it is that students have access to the work of others or the answer keys to tests at a time before they have turned in their own work?</p>
<p>I realize that where there is a will, there is a way, but sometimes these incidents make you feel like there ought to be a little common preventative sense used. Then you don't end up in these situations (as often).</p>
<p>texastaximom......</p>
<p>A study was done by the Josephson Institute of Ethics and it was found the misconduct (cheating) of young people is not the result of mixed messages from parents, at least according to their children as 84% of all students agreed that their parents would want them to do the ethically right thing, no matter what the cost.</p>
<p>Unfortunately many school districts do not know how to handle that other 16%....so they go into denial...... maybe they should start studing the administrators of our schools! I nominate your administrator to be the first particpant in the study..... </p>
<p>Does your local tv station have an investigative reporter? They would love to get a hold of this story. What a link it would be for cc.</p>
<p>Our media does not like to report any ill goings on at the high school--the newspaper or the tv station. It's because it was consolidated despite public outcry from 75% of the voters. The school board did it 4-3. In a subsequent election, all who voted for consolidation were ousted. At any rate, anyone who gripes about the school is deemed a wet blanket that won't let consolidation work. The fact of the matter is, it hasn't worked, and a very expensive consultant told the school board they needed three high schools, not one. So the coverage is very political. The man that publishes the newspaper is very adamant about not uncovering the ugly. But I digress.</p>
<p>I do agree that this is a problem with the administrator. The principal has been made aware on numerous occasions that this child has cheated. She has been disciplined more than once. But not where it will really hurt, in the grade book. I still contend that zeros for the assignments or even the class would have put an end to it. For some reason they are reluctant to do anything more severe.</p>
<p>This same principal covers up other problems at the school. The only reason the big lock down/melee was reported is because all available squad units were called to the school. Hard for the press to pass that one up. Still, the principal blamed students on cell phones for blowing the situation out of proportion. My husband talked to a police officer that responded, and he verified that it was indeed a melee and not a "scuffle" with much blood and many spin off fights.</p>
<p>So....the superintendent has emailed back that he was not aware that this student was a cheater, and that he will forward my comments to the principal. Good luck with that one. And a board member has also contacted me that he is inquiring into the situation. </p>
<p>I am sure that other parents will follow suit. One of the other top students contacted me today. They wanted to know if I had seen the article, and how hurt they were that it focused on Miss "overcome obstacles" (via cheating) instead of their accomplishments. And that is what is truly sad about this. The cheater is now overshadowing the other excellent students who got their awards the old fashioned way. </p>
<p>Dadx: as for the access, the book was taken off the teacher's desk. I guess it was the first time that has happened, and now the teacher can't trust anyone. Sad, but a fact of life. The papers must be turned in at a bin in the back of the room. No papers are allowed out of class, ironically due to cheating. I think I would make it a locked box with a slit on the top!</p>
<p>The black balloons are intriguing, and I definitely think SILENCE would be the appropriate reaction. I don't know how you get the message across that cheating is not okay, when cheaters are rewarded at the end of the day.</p>
<p>I guess I don't understand why this hasn't already gone to the school board? And how does the school justify its decision to allow this student to graduate w/ any honors whatsoever? And exactly who made this decision?</p>
<p>txmom - are there not other parents/students outraged by this?</p>
<p>well, i can send a hug & share a cup of tea/coffee/wine... but you'll receive no "there there" from me. i share your sadness & disappointment ...</p>
<p>I am as puzzled as you are klc....the principal did not feel compelled to report this to the school board or superintendent. I guess the teachers are afraid to cross the principal and go above her. I'm not, because my bread and butter do not rely on the graces of said principal. </p>
<p>I think the parents are just now finding out. The new ranks were released yesterday, and this article hit the paper today--with the student receiving the scholarship and mention of top ten status. Mostly it has been confined to the three AP classes that this student likes to cheat in. My son is just livid over the whole matter. He is tired of trying to hide his work, and he's tired of this student not receiving any consequences that would be severe enough to put a stop to it. This child actually tried to lie about being in ISS! Of course the ISS students must all eat together at lunch, so it is readily apparent. </p>
<p>As for deciding who it top ten, that is numerical. I can only surmise that the registrar is not aware (although it is the talk of the school) that this child has a cheating problem. Still, the guidance counselors and the principal finalize the list, so yes, that puts the ball back in the court of the principal. </p>
<p>Time to take the tom toms and hit the warpath.</p>
<p>Don't forget the smoke signals.</p>
<p>texas, I suspect there was an earlier thread about this student that I have not read, so I don't understand all of the issues. I would note that, at this time of year as graduations are rapidly approaching, national news organizations might well be interested in this sort of story.</p>