Posted by
Waski_the_Squirrel on Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:15:03 PM
No parent is happy to get a call from his child's teacher that goes along the lines of..."Your child cheated on a test." The ones whose grades dipped down to failing because of this choice were even less pleased.
I really am fortunate, though. I live in an area where families teach right and wrong to their children. When children make the wrong choice, most parents do not support them or try to cover up for them.
That was my experience when I called my long, long, long list of parents. One was angry at me. One wanted to see the evidence but agreed that his child had chosen to do something that was wrong. The rest agreed that their child should suffer the consequences of their actions. None were happy about it, but what parent would be?
Here is the thing: for a few of these students (the ones who ended up with failing grades for the course) have suffered quite badly. The point has been made to all of these students that society cares about right and wrong and that decent people stand up for it. More to the point, this lesson has been sent to other students who watched this occur and wondered why they didn't take the short cut. This will help solidify their morals at a time when they are still somewhat flexible.
Finally, perhaps these students will remember this painful lesson when another choice of this sort presents itself later in life. It may be something with more serious consequences. My hope is that they will remember Chemistry and make the right choice later on when it matters.