How to deal with a cheater?

<p>So theres a girl in one of my classes who had a sister in that class in the previous year. The teacher is absolutely oblivious to everything and still keeps the same tests. Now I KNOW that she looks at her sister’s tests for several reasons:</p>

<li>She is not smart. In other honors classes she is getting B-'s whereas here, in one of the hardest classes in my school, she has probably an A or an A+. The teacher knows that she is not smart, but he really can’t say anything.</li>
<li>A friend of mine is close with her sister and is pretty sure that her sister lets her cheat.</li>
<li>Another friend (in that class) actually does ask her for help on some of the tests…I’m positive that she won’t be willing to testify, but…eh…</li>
<li>And then another friend actually did accuse this girl of cheating (jokingly) and she got very very offended. Like she flipped a ****, for lack of better terms.</li>
</ol>

<p>I don’t know…not very compelling evidence, but I am 100% sure that she cheats. I don’t know what to do. We have two more tests this year and a final in this class and I can’t believe that I waited this long to actually think about doing something.</p>

<p>My parents say that since I have no evidence that I should let it slide. My dad thinks that I can get suspended from school for making a false accusation (don’t know why he thinks that, but apparently that’s happened before).</p>

<p>Ideas? Please?</p>

<p>Oooh that's tough. Are you a senior or a junior? If you're a senior I'd let it slide, but otherwise I'd be thinking about talking with the teacher...</p>

<p>It really isn't fair that you should do all the work and study while she is supplied the answers. I would talk with your teacher about being concerned that tests are not given fairly. Don't mention any names unless the teacher asks for a name, but merely allude to the fact that you know somebody who has previous tests.</p>

<p>It seems like you really want to say something, so why not do it? Just be sure not to spin it as you being annoyed that she cheated, whereas you are concerned about an imbalance of fairness with testing.</p>

<p>
[quote]
My dad thinks that I can get suspended from school for making a false accusation (don't know why he thinks that, but apparently that's happened before).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>He probably just wants you to move on and get a life.</p>

<p>why do you care if she cheats? you already said "she's not smart," so she shouldn't be getting into a college instead of you...</p>

<p>I know it gets on your nerves, but honestly you should mind your own business. Cheaters like that will someday get caught and get in serious trouble. Let karma get them back; don't get yourself involved, you will just end up wasting your time and effort. Just focus on outperforming those cheaters on tests. Really, they are not worth your time.</p>

<p>Find a way to expose her without ratting her out.</p>

<p>Let it slip. Maybe she is just good at that subject.</p>

<p>Doesn't matter I think.</p>

<p>Diesel has a point. I would only take action if she affects your class rank or is always screwing up the test curve. Otherwise you wouldn't really have a reason to go out of your way to talk to the teacher about her.</p>

<p>Well... the social implications of you telling on someone for no personal reason may affect you negatively among your classmates. Nothing personal, but if someone ratted another in my school, I wouldn't want to talk to them. </p>

<p>Also, since the teacher gave out those test for students to keep every year so the teacher might be in a hard spot too if this goes up to the administration. The teacher has at least partial responsibility for providing the means to let this happen. </p>

<p>Don't try to drag other people into this: your friends, her friends... something is screwed up when you said the word "testify". </p>

<p>Also, in reality you really have no proof.
-Your "friend" is "pretty sure" she cheats.
-"She's not that smart"
-"Got very offended at accusations" </p>

<p>Not exactly clear evidence beyond reasonable doubt in my book. </p>

<p>Telling on someone is not a noble inquisition for purity, nor is it something completely selfless as an action. It's nothing more than wanting to see the other person get what's coming to them, so you'll feel better about what you have accomplished in that class. Don't delude yourself that its for some higher cause such as human goodness and justice. It's not. It never is in most cases. And based on your description, its not in your case either.</p>

<p>You're right - there isn't enough compelling evidence to prove the case, and it's better to let a guilty person slide than to accidentally accuse an innocent person. This is especially true in cases where you are not personally affected.</p>

<p>I'd personally approach the teacher and have a conversation about the unfair nature of reissued tests. You need to explain that not all students can be trusted these days, and you have a personal concern about one (or more) students in the class, without stating who they are. Hopefully, that'll convince the teacher to write new tests.</p>

<p>I'd say that this is more the teacher's fault for being extremely negligent in test security.</p>

<p>Snitches get stitches</p>

<p>This seems flimsy at best. Personally, there are cheaters at my school-who OPENLY cheat (take an extra copy of test 1st period, make copies for last period class, etc, etc), talk about cheating, talk about who they cheat with...and I don't rat on them! Would I lie and say they aren't? No. But they'll get their due. A girl who is in all honors/APs 100/4.0 average got a 1530/2400...and she has barely passed regents...bombed all SAT IIs <400...I wonder what it will look like!</p>

<p>Why do you want to rat her out? It doesn't affect you, so there is no point to caring. Don't commit social suicide. </p>

<p>Also, the teacher may not be oblivious but may have no way of proving she is cheating, especially if your teacher hasn't had her before.</p>

<p>It does have the potential of affecting my class rank; but I see what you're saying. IDK...</p>

<p>If it really affects you that much, see if your teacher could change the format of his tests, so the girl would not have the same tests to cheat on. Maybe more multiple choice or more fill in the blank. Something that is different and changes the situation, but don't rat out the girl. The girl will have to study to get the grades instead of cheating.</p>

<p>Write an anonymous note describing your thoughts and leave it on the teacher's desk?</p>