Dealing With Cheating

Catching a student cheating is traumatic for a teacher. They feel betrayed and the trust between teacher and student is damaged.

When the cheating is not limited to one student, but instead is spread across an entire class because of a cheating conspiracy, the feelings of betrayal and upset are far worse. Some teachers even find that the majority of their students were involved in the cheating scandal.

If you are a teacher and you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, here are tips how to proceed:

Where there is one, there are probably more. If you found a student cheating, don't figure that there's only one bad egg. Often when there is one cheater on a test or assignment there are others.

Check for students who don't pay attention in class or do their homework regularly but who scored very well on the exam. If the exam requires that the student show his or her work, check the work to see if you can in fact follow how they came to their answer.

Do not become emotional. You are certain to feel hurt and betrayed when you find students of yours cheating. It will be distressing, and disappointing. Of course you don't want to express these feelings directly during class, but you need to guard against letting them fester into lingering resentment.

You also don't want to overreact and become enraged or personal or visibly upset when you catch a cheater. Keep it official-like and formal.

While cheating has an element of betrayal to it, it isn't a personal act. It is an infraction, and they will be punished. Don't be swayed by appeals for mercy. You have to hold fast, and make sure that the consequences discourage students from considering cheating in your class in the future.

If you follow the tips above, this will be the most sure way for you to deal with cheaters in a professional manner.