Cheating

It saddens me to even have to include this part: 

This is, or should be, a clear choice*.

When faced with or when “creating” an opportunity to cheat (that is, to submit work for evaluation/grading that is not completely of your own making) on an assignment, I hope your conscience will guide you to make the right choice*.   However, in the event that your conscience is on holiday at that precise moment, the first thing you need to ask yourself is, “Is what I will gain if I get away with this worth what I will lose if I get caught?”

The answer is always, “NO!”

Are you really willing to throw away not only a grade on one assignment, but also your entire reputation as well?

How many points on a test, quiz, or homework assignment are you worth? 

Remember that your tenure at Horace Greeley High School isn’t just about grades, though grades are an important part of this process.  In addition to your grades, your teachers are working with you to cultivate your character as well.  When a student cheats s/he not only risks losing a grade, s/he risks losing the support and respect of the school community.

How many points are you worth?

Getting caught cheating may make folks wonder if any grade you’ve ever gotten was earned honestly.  Folks may wonder if any grade you ever get after that has been earned honestly.

Here’s some advice:  If you think you need to cheat, what you really need to do is first take an unhappy  “hit” on that assignment, test, or quiz.  Then what you need to do is come and talk about how we can work together to make sure you’re better prepared on the next assignment.   Sure, a bad grade hurts.  Temporarily.  A bad reputation hurts for a lot longer. 

A bad grade won’t make you a bad student.  Bad grades (sometimes) happen to good students. 

How many points are you worth?

If you choose to cheat you are not being fair to yourself (you will not be able to evaluate your mastery of the material). You will also not be respecting your classmates (who have chosen to study and earn their grades the old fashioned way). Of course, it is also deeply disrespectful of the instructor as well.

Negative Consequences

If the above plea/explanation doesn't bring out your ethical-behavior gene, remember the following:

If you are discovered to have engaged in cheating (behavior which includes, but is not limited to, copying another's work ("collaborating" on individual assignments is a form of copying!) or using inappropriate aides during an exam/quiz) you will:

·         earn a grade of ZERO for the assignment

·         your parents will be notified

·         your assistant principal will be informed

Do NOT choose* to give your hard-earned work to someone else to copy. Helping someone else to cheat doesn't exactly count as ethical behavior. This choice* will land you in the same position as the recipient of your work. Ask yourself if it's worth the risk.  Is ANY grade worth being associated with unethical behavior?  If you are presented with this choice, think about the larger issues and not just ONE little homework assignment (or even a chapter test!).

How many points are you worth?

 

 

Questions?  Contact Señor Warren

Phone: 914-861-9441 x 243 (voice mail)
email:

 

* ¡Hola! That's right. The CHOICE is yours. We're talking FREE WILL here, muchachos. CHOOSE those actions which will result in POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES (such as increased knowledge and an unblemished reputation). Why go to the DARK SIDE and make choices that will result in unhappiness and less learning for everyone?  Use your energy for positive gain, not for thinking up hollow excuses for having made poor choices.