Cheating in School: Rules, Reasons, and Repercussions
April 8, 2021
High school students cheat during online school
Niki* (12) opened her vocabulary test in February for her English class and immediately switched tabs to a Google document, which was filled with answers for the test. The top of the page began to fill with icons, showing the profiles of her classmates…
Colleges employ variety of methods to combat cheating
Distance learning presented a new problem to schools and teachers: How can you catch students cheating if all work is being done electronically? Access to the internet opens a world of possibilities to students, with ways to cheat that are nearly untrackable by teachers…
Academic Honesty Policy fails to deter cheating
According to a 2015 survey conducted by the International Center for Academic Honesty, 95% of students surveyed admitted to some form of academic cheating. Cheating is a widespread issue that has only become worse with distance learning, as teachers have trouble catching students…
Elizabeth A Farzan • Apr 9, 2021 at 11:51 am
These cheating stories are great – to share the truth of how many are “managing” their overloaded schedules. Thankfully you chose to spotlight this.
What I see in some of these is a rather common theme in OCD – avoiding things causes anxiety – so in order to prevent short term anxiety they cheat. But their avoidance of studying has lead to increasing anxiety in the short and long run.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you were able to report on the types of anxiety out there. OCD is pretty common and very VERY secretive. People don’t openly admit they obsess about getting As and A+s, they don’t know that cheating is the compulsion to calm their anxiety.
The OCD spectrum is quite interesting and encompasses a lot of themes which some may have experienced more of (were triggered) during COVID.
Honestly, it is more common and mis-diagnosed than we hear of. Pressure, trauma, COVID are all examples of ways anxiety can spike to all time highs. This website explains most kids develop it between 8 and 12 years old. Many don’t get diagnosed until 6 or more years later. https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/who-gets/
I feel like mental health specifics could be explained in relatable ways, especially since anxiety is so high as Westview!
I really have brought this up to the Principal, to teacher and to the Nexus.
Please, let’s have some examples of anxiety written about, highlighted, explained so kinds don’t feel isolated, ashamed or anxious about their habits or ways of navigating the many types of anxiety which intersects with disordered eating, avoidant behavior, health anxiety, perfectionism, all or nothing thinking. Many people who have OCD are Type A personalities, and hide or are not seen because they always have As. But that’s the thing, they can’t not get As. Which your article prove!!
Please let’s break the stigma and explain that what was described was classic OCD behavior with the excuse I need all As for college.
It’s not mentally safe, healthy behavior and can lead to other themes within OCD.
I am willing to discuss this issue as anxiety – all types and causes – are quite important to me and quite relevant to many high schoolers.
We know to be worried about depressive symptoms but why aren’t we looking at the rampant anxiousness across our campus?
I look forward to hearing from you on this topic.
Thank you,
Liz