What teens are saying about cheating

“I usually cheat on homework [because] I’m usually too lazy to do it or … I just don’t want to do the extra work.”
—Lana, a sophomore at Wheaton North

“I hate it when I put in all the work to prepare for an exam and a classmate asks to look off my paper.”
—Smaritha Ponnala, a senior at Plainfield North

“There is a difference between cheating on homework and tests. On tests it’s just wrong. When you’re not learning anything from homework being assigned then why should you do it?”
—Andrew, a senior at Wheaton Warrenville South

Statistics

>> In the 1940s, only 20 percent of college students say they cheated in high school. In recent years, the percentage ranges between 75 and 98 percent.

>> Cheating most often occurs in science and math classes.

>> According to National Public Radio, two-thirds of parents think cheating is no big deal and say that “all students do it.”

>> In the past, students who were struggling were the most likely to cheat. Today, the above-average students cheat so they can get ahead and make sure they go to their college of choice.

>> According to a survey by Donald McCabe, a professor of management at Rutgers University:
47 percent of students believe teachers sometimes choose not to confront students they know are cheating

26 percent said they believed teachers simply don’t want to be bothered by reporting suspected academic dishonesty.

Source: Educational Testing Service, The Center for Academic Integrity, Rutgers University

READ MORE: A study says that students who cheat are more likely to continue cheating as adults. Read our story about it from Mash reporters Maria Castellucci and John Mederich.