So I know we're not supposed to be blogging about this topic, but another teacher and I were discussing this, and I was wondering what some of my colleagues thought.
Our AP Calculus teacher is forced to make 3 different versions of any test she gives, because she has three different sections of AP Calc. As soon as the first class takes the test, she was informed by a few students that "the test was out." In other words, once dismissed from the test, those students were telling the other students what was on the test. She suddenly noticed that kids who were not doing homework and not doing the reviews for class were getting better grades. As soon as she began changing the tests, she saw their grades drop.
I teach Honors Algebra 2 and I have 2 sections, first period and sixth period. More and more, the discrepency between my first period averages and my sixth period averages is getting worse. I'll be honest, my sixth period is slightly smarter than my first period, but not 11 points smarter. We had a class discussion in first period about the unfairness of giving sixth period an advantage by telling them what's on tests and quizzes. The day after that talk, my sixth period walked in telling me what they had heard about the quiz they were about to take. All I could think of was EPIC FAIL.
To make things even worse, being the nice teacher bit me in the butt. Sixth period had way more questions on their homework than I thought they would, I had them just take the non-calculator section of their quiz. One of my angels and darlings stole a copy of the calculator section from my table. 4 different students informed me of the theft. Despite that fact, because the test was not found on his person, the chances of him facing any consequences are next to nothing. I had to recreate my quiz at the last minute.
Is it just me or do the kids feel entitled to cheat? Instead of working because things are hard, they feel that it's ok to cheat or take the easy way out. Where is there work ethic? WHERE ARE THEIR MORALS?
Wow! That's a shame! I was so frustrated after I read your blog as you must be so frustrated as well. Should a teacher really have to create three different tests simply because her students are cheating? What is that! Does it fit with the mentality that students desire immediate gratification for the least amount of work, hence cheating? And how is one teacher to change the mentality a student has if their only goal is to "pass" the test but they could care less about what they are learning or how they pass? I agree Kate, where is their work ethic? I wonder, is there some way to steer kids in the the right direction?
ReplyDeleteAnd yet these same administrators who refuse to punish this child will also be the first to question why he isn't passing the SOL. There is definately nothing fair about this. That kid will eventually get what is coming to him whether its in your class because he cheats therefore doesn't learn, or if it's later in life when his morals come back to haunt him. I realize it's easier said than done but don't let this monopolize your thoughts -he's obviously not worth it!
ReplyDeleteI must admit that when I was in high school, all of my friends and I would share info about what was on tests in quizzes in different classes. I don't ever recall reciting exact questions, but general concepts or vocab. (I don't think I ever knew anyone who had the balls to steal a test!) I think part of the reason for kids sharing info is out of curiosity and pressure. These aren't excuses, just a part of life. What would happen if your next 6th period quiz or test was a bit harder?
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