In our experience the student is treated better, not retaliated against.
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Just giving an update on everything…
I mentioned in the email to them that I would like to appeal and that I “spoke to” a lawyer. I was very clear in the wording. The super wrote back and said since I spoke to a lawyer that all communications had to go through their lawyer now. Soooo the lawyer I spoke to said basically “BS” as unless I actually retain a lawyer that they need to give me the appeal. So wrote back and said just that and that if things can’t get resolved with just us that I will be hiring a lawyer- the tone changed.
Principal wrote me and set up a meeting. We did argue over the use of the word “lend” for a bit. He explained that the mark on her discipline record would only be seen by the school and that it wouldn’t be on her transcript. I’m not sure how they reworked her grade but they didn’t make her redo the assignment and then only took off enough points to bring her from an overall A to a B. Still kinda sucked but at that point it was better then the C. Her teacher pulled her aside after class and I felt like she was empathizing with my daughter but her hands are tied. She did get a very high grade on her huge research paper she just graded.
While not the overall outcome we wanted, we are happy they did work with us a bit and sadly painful lesson is mine won’t be helping anyone anytime soon or at the very least she will be much smarter about it!
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Overall, a good and probably fair outcome. School likely had to do something or they may have difficulty enforcing cheating rules in the future. What they should do is clarify these rules with examples and have each student sign an acknowledgement at the beginning of the year.
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Our experience was similar: mentioning a talk with a lawyer without retaining one resulted in a better outcome. I think this is very fair. Especially glad that noone outside of the school will see a mark on her record.
The school needs to update their education of students and make policies more specific.
That said, your comment about how sad it is that your daughter won’t be helping anyone anymore is a little concerning. I’m sure she is traumatized. But your daughter can help anyone she likes, appropriately. The help she offered was not appropriate regardless of her intentions. If she understands the issues she should feel safe helping others and receiving help as well.
Collaborative learning is in (versus sage on a stage), and technology, social media and virtual learning all add new gray areas to academic honestly. I hope any updates the school might make would also reassure your daughter as she interacts with others regarding work.
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I’m glad that there was an acceptable resolution and thank you for circling back to let us know!
I hate when others don’t update so I felt I needed to lol
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Well shes 15 and quite honestly, pissed off so its a natural response to what happened. I am sure shes being dramatic in that response but none the less shes had quite a few kids reach out lately asking for help with things and she has been very stand offish. Oh well, I am sure that will change down the road. Shes also still trying to navigate this friendship with the girl who copied her paper.
I would do exactly as your D is doing & decline to provide help. I have tons of respect for teachers - I subbed at the high school level for years - but sorry, it’s not your D’s job to teach her peers. If she has a lot of students asking her for help, it doesn’t sound like she is being asked to “collaborate.” It sounds more like she is being asked to tell her peers how to do things. Until she feels more comfortable with where and how to draw lines with her peers, declining assistance seems like a natural choice.
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Thanks for the update! Glad you got them to budge. Just always makes me think it kids who don’t have that kind of support get screwed and the admins know it.
Thanks for following up and I’m glad it was resolved in a civil manner that did not unduly punish your D.
It is up to her, but your D may want to ask the teacher to meet with her privately (or perhaps you and she could meet with the principal) so she can understand how to help friends without putting herself in this predicament again. Getting clarification of plagiarism rules…what is OK and what isn’t…could help your D not just now but moving forward to college. (IMO this should be one of the first things taught in every English, SS class)
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Why are so many peers reaching out to her for help? I learned by 8h grade not to be used in that way. The teacher needs to know who is struggling. Hope this may be a helpful change for her.
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I wouldn’t be encouraging my child to navigate anything with that girl. The girl knew she was deliberately cheating, and although it wasn’t her intention, has harmed your daughter, and it could have been worse. If I were you, I’d be supporting your daughter in taking a break from this girl, and in planning things to do this summer that are beyond the little world of high school.
If I understand correctly, the school’s lawyer was very helpful regarding your effort as the school’s lawyer damaged the school superintendent’s credibility.
Great effort on your behalf & very good result for your daughter.
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