Local students say cheating hurts the cheater

Summerlin Schlemmer and Sarah Watts – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The act of cheating on tests is dishonorable and consequential for numerous reasons. Unfortunately, some students believe they are in the clear as long as they get away with cheating and fail to remember that cheating is unfair for both themselves and others.

Cheating can become common in high school as students trusted more to take tests honorably. Additionally, the use of technology makes it easier for students to cheat. Through texting, group chats, and social media, leaked answers spread quickly.

Some high school students agree that once they get away with cheating and are not caught, they feel no guilt and feel relieved to score well on the tests. When one gets away with cheating multiple times, they no longer worry about cheating because it doesn’t seem like a big deal anymore.

Cheating, however, affects a student in regards to high school careers and futures. Cheating allows students to get passing grades on a test without actually learning the information.

Cheating is unfair to the student who cheats because it allows them to form unethical views. When students get away with cheating once, they think they will be able to get away with it in other situations. Whether or not the student needs to know the information to be successful in life, the student can then develop a habit of taking the easy way out in life. Genuinely learning information teaches students dedication and hard work, and cheating kills these skills.

Cheating also hampers progress for students. Many classes build on each other, so when the student does not learn the information, they struggle learning new information that is related to the prior information.

In addition, cheating is extremely unfair to other students who study and put effort into the test. One who cheats may end up getting the same grade as one who heavily studies. Also, certain types of cheating is a form of plagiarism because students are taking others work and claiming it as their own.

In conclusion, cheating is not worth it as it is unfair to those who cheat and to other students. Cheating is very serious, and according to the Lakewood Ranch High School disciplinary matrix, cheating calls for a zero on the assignment and the student will be put in in school suspension (ISS) for a period of time determined by the amount of times the student has cheated in the past.