Cheating in exams

[TwoTribes]

My dd had a spanish controlled assessment exam last Monday. They had to prepare the assessment the week before, then during the exam they had to write it.

So, she came out and said she thinks she did really well, remembered everything she had prepared and she thinks she wrote most of it correctly and is hoping to get good marks, probably an A.

But, she said several other children came out saying how they had copied their prepared assessments by having it on their lap under the table. Also, one boy said to the teacher during the assessment that he couldn't remember what he had written and the teacher said 'just transfer it', (whatever that means).

Dd doesn't want me to report the suspected cheating because she says they will invalidate all the papers and have to do it again. And they will have to do a different subject which they have not covered very well yet. Because she thinks she's done well, she doesn't want to lose that potential good grade.

More of a WWYD really.

[Sparklingbrook]

Not sure. That's a real dilemma. I wouldn't know what to make of that.

[Sparklingbrook]

Have had a think.

Cheating is wrong that is a given. But reporting it will open a huge can of worms, and also upset your DD.

I would be tempted to not say anything TBH, but worry about it.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I'd report it just for the heck of it. As described the students are cheating and the teacher - presumably there to invigilate - is colluding.... Sounds all wrong.

[gamerwidow]

I don't think it's worth saying anything because nothing can be proved unless the teacher the cheating at the time. Unless you are saying the teacher knew about the cheating and was encouraging it to bump the pass rate up it which case I would be more inclined to complain.

It is very frustrating though for your DD to have worked so hard only to have others potentially get the same grade without putting the effort in.

[gamerwidow]

teacher saw the cheating at the time.

[bigbluebus]

Is she sure they were cheating? When my DS did his French controlled assessment in January, they pre-prepared the piece and then had to memorise it. Then they were allowed to write down a list of 40 words which helped them to remember what they had to write and this list could be with them in the exam (although DS did say that the list was handed to the teacher in the lesson and handed back out at the start of the exam so that they could ensure nothing else was written on the paper)
I am quite frankly appalled at this method of examining, which is a far cry from what I had to do for French O level. No wonder very few children are able to speak a foreign language whilst our European counterparts are all learning to speak English fluently!

[WorraLiberty]

I agree with gamer, it's likely to just cause bad feelings because nothing can be proven.

[Sarcalogos]

Report it the head of department or to the academic deputy head/curriculum manager. It's not on. I understand your concern for your daughter, but if this is endemic across all of her subjects (which it may or may not be) it will devalue her achievements in the long run.

[Renniehorta]

Many teachers are aware that their colleagues are cheating. However they feel unable to say anything about it because they fear that it may not be well received by the HT. It also makes working realtionships difficult with colleagues.

In this situation they are often hoping that parents will complain and the cheating will be stopped. I know that this was the exact scenario when a case came to light in a nearby school.

So I would advise you to report it.

[TwoTribes]

Dd says that they have an oral exam to do yet and that the children who cheated in the written exam will not be able to cheat then. She thinks this will down-value their grades. But I think if I'm going to report it, I should do it now rather than later.

But, but, but . . . if I do this means that my dd, who worked hard, prepared well and did not cheat, might not get the grade she rightfully earned. Gah!

[TwoTribes]

Sorry bigbluebus, in answer to your question, they were not asked to take word lists or any other written aids into the exam.

[WorraLiberty]

Are you sure your DD is right?

I find it very odd that a teacher/supervisor failed to spot 'several children' copying notes from their laps?

[fussbucket]

This is a horrible can of worms isn't it! Renniehorta can you give any more info without outing yourself?

[bigbluebus]

Maybe they were "cheating" at my sons school too then - but in a kind of "authorised by the teacher" kind of way!!! I don't know anything about the regulations for the assessments - I am just appalled that they get to pre-prepared and memorise everything word for word. Where as when I did French you could be asked anything from the syllabus in both the written and oral exam.
In my DS' oral exam, they had to remember the same piece they needed for the written assessment plus a further 6 - 8 questions that they might be asked at the end (they were only going to get asked 2 out of the 8).
How is that teaching a child to speak a language? I am not convinced some of these exam results are worth the paper they are written on. That is a far bigger concern for me!!!

[Multifacetediguana]

I think this is a problem with controlled assessments on general. They are a wired half way house between coursework and exams, kind of like exams that teachers have to supervise and mark so they lack the gravitas f proper exams with proper invigilators. They are subject to abuse and tbh it is a total nightmare. I would prefer to go to 100% exam.

[squeakytoy]

It is an exam, not a competition. Your daughter will not have any different mark because other people cheated.

I would probably do and say nothing.

[Renniehorta]

In the case I am thinking of the teacher had the opportunity to have an advance look at the exam paper. She then set very directed homework for her set.
It came to light because one student complained that his set had not had the benefit of this direction. The mum then complained.

There are a number of 'corrupt practices' associated with CA. I think that many if not most teachers would be relieved if it was done away with.

[Kayano]

I wrote my Latin words on my thigh and hoiked my skirt up when I was a lass. I used to have class memory and the process of writing on my thigh meant I remembered them anyway. lol

I would never cheat in an actual exam though!

[BoffinMum]

I would bring this discreetly to the attention of the head. If it is found out by someone else that this happened, the consequences may be considerably worse than if you said nothing. It is doing the right thing whilst covering your daughter's back.

[Heswall]

My god the whole system is an absolute farce isn't it ?

[Renniehorta]

I agree completely with BoffinMum.

[FatherHankTree]

The controlled assessments for MFL are a memory test, rather than a test of how well a student can use the language, based on the assessments DD has had so far.

Can you report this to the school anonymously?

[fussbucket]

Putting on my other hat as an employer, I don't want staff who think it's acceptable to cheat, which is what this teacher (if our suspicions are true) is indicating to his pupils. My business requires 100% honesty from our staff as they are often out and about unsupervised with access to client's homes.

[Chandon]

It is hte result of weak teachers and a box ticking system.

The teachers are more interested in high grades, by whatever means, than in fair grades.

It is rife in many schools and not just here.

It is very depressing.

As to what to do, I don't know. It needs to be tackled on a grand scale really.
I guess you have no evidence. In your place I would have a word with the HT. some HT condone cheating as it gives better grades ( and better Ofsted and box ticking stuff), but I would hope most HTs would take this seriously.

[Renniehorta]

'The controlled assessments for MFL are a memory test, rather than a test of how well a student can use the language, based on the assessments DD has had so far.'

Absolutely Speaking and Writing is worth 60% and if it is taught properly should not be just as an exercise in memory. Unfortunately it often degenerates into this.