If you cheat, you deserve a ZERO!

Most educators are divided when it comes to the question of what to do with students who cheat. Should the student automatically receive a zero and that is the punishment for the student? Should the student receive a behavioral/poor decision punishment but then receive another academic opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge?

Educators in both camps are very passionate about their feelings when it comes to cheating...

So, why does a student cheat?

Perhaps the student doesn't know the material so he/she feels forced to cheat...

Perhaps the student can't resist the temptation of cheating because it's easier and perhaps the opportunity presented itself and the student just can't help his/herself...

Perhaps the student just made a poor choice...

So, I think the bigger questions being asked here are what do we hope and expect a student to learn from cheating, as well as what do we want a grade to actually represent in the classroom?

For those who believe the student should receive an automatic zero and that's the end of the story, what does the student learn? I believe the student learns that they shouldn't get caught next time. I honestly don't believe the student learns anything about responsibility or about being ethical in their decision to cheat or not to cheat. Additionally, this student now has a grade that is not 100% accurate in terms of student knowledge/mastery because student behavior has been included in the grade.

For those who believe the student should receive a behavioral punishment and another academic opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, what does the student learn? I believe the student learns that cheating won't go unpunished, as well as that the work the student cheated on was important enough that the teacher gets input/feedback from the student in regard to their knowledge/mastery of the content/skill.

But, what about those students who choose not to cheat? Shouldn't they know their good behavior is acknowledged and shouldn't they know those who choose to cheat will be punished?

Yes, those students who choose to cheat will receive a behavioral punishment, but they also get the opportunity to do another assessment/assignment in addition to that punishment.

Also, I personally don't believe that the other students who decide not to cheat really care what happens to those who do cheat. I find that most people want to do the right thing and that is all they are worried about.

The way I see it is that it's way too easy to give the student a zero and then move on. Let's respond to the poor behavior that was exhibited and then let's also give that student another assessment/assignment to complete so they can demonstrate their knowledge.

If we want a grade to represent what a kid knows, then behavior can't be a part of the grade...