Cheating Is Never the Answer

Re “Cheating or Not, Shortcut on Homework Roils School,” May 21: How refreshing to read of some intelligent parents who see their children can do wrong. Cheating is cheating, and I do not accept any form of it. My kids have been taught they get their straight A’s the old-fashioned way -- they earn them.

To those parents defending their little Johnnie’s actions in shortcutting the math learning experience, I say you are developing future Enron citizens and are doing a disservice to your family. Your kids can and will do wrong, and it is your duty to guide them appropriately -- you need to objectively spot problems and teach your kids the only road is the high road.

Marc Radin

Hermosa Beach

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I found it interesting that the parents who rationalized their children’s conduct and complained about New Roads High School’s response refused to identify themselves so as not to embarrass their children. Those who supported the disciplinary action identified themselves and spoke of the importance of learning to accept responsibility for one’s actions. That about says it all.

David Hinden

Los Angeles

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Those parents who complained about the disciplinary actions taken on their cheating students should be ashamed of themselves! It should be obvious that what those students did was wrong. Whether or not the school overreacted, those parents are sending the wrong message to their kids by defending them. Students who don’t do the work are cheating themselves. How will they learn the material and perform well on a test if they do not practice solving the problems? Calling their actions “acceptable” amounts to encouraging students to continue to cheat, a direct insult to the teachers and the honest students who do the work.

Many schools have “academic honesty policies” that define unacceptable methods of completing assignments and tests, and the corresponding disciplinary consequences for policy violators.

I hope that New Roads High School adopts a similar plan, to have a clear procedure for dealing with future incidents so it can avoid the embarrassment of having to justify its actions to parents who don’t understand the difference between right and wrong.

This country does not need any more cheaters. We have enough in the business world. Meritocracy good. Fraud bad. Get it?

Melissa Lokensgard

Poway