Sky,
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Over 1/2 of college students admit cheating in some way, over 60% say they would cheat on an important test. Other surveys show that 8 out of 10 high school students admit cheating.

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I have taught for 12 years and have to say that if students are cheating that it can't always be attributed to a lack of morality. I have "caught" quite a few students cheating over the years. However, I don't send them to the office or write a referral. Just this month, I saw that a student who was taking his spelling test had his list of words in his desk. After the test, I spoke with him and asked him if there was anything he'd like to tell me. He was reluctant at first, but then opened up and admitted that he cheated. He told me that he was afraid that he was going to disappoint his mother (who has been really sick due to an accident). His mother hasn't been able to give him the needed attention due to her sickness which has caused him not to be as diligent in his homework habits. I told him that he could study the rest of the day and gave him the test at the end of the day. He made an 'A' and was able to take this home to his mother. For teacher appreciation week, he wrote me a card that said, "I love what you did for me with that Spelling test." Yes, he is only in 2nd grade now. However, instead of judging him I looked beyond his behavior and I know that the way I handled it shaped his behavior in a way that no punishment could.

I also know of a high school student who was being abused by an older man who cheated on a test (this happened quite a few years ago). This was totally out of character for her. She was sent to the office, humiliated and punished for her actions. Not ONE person took the time to see beyond this behavior. Maybe she really could have been helped if someone had been empathic instead of judgmental.

I just wanted to point out that there is a reason people do things. I think it is more difficult to figure out the reasons why and try to get at the root of the problem than to attribute their behavior to a lack of values/morality.

I'm sorry if this sounds argumentative, but this is an issue that is very personal to me in which I've had a lot of experience. I hope others can learn from this

Thanks!