How to Prevent Classroom Cheating

by Tammy Darling

Model honesty. Your teen needs to see that you don't lie, cheat or steal.
Clearly communicate what constitutes cheating. An eighth-grader may not be aware that copying Internet material is considered plagiarism, and a high school student may not understand that allowing friends to copy homework is not really helping them.
Spell out what is unacceptable. Include a clear description of the consequences of cheating — both long- and short-term.
Check your Internet browser's history to see if your teen has visited websites that sell written papers. Confront her if she has. Consider locking your browser so the history cannot be cleared.
Refrain from emphasizing achievement. Such attitudes place pressure on kids to succeed.
Guard against overscheduling. Choose extracurricular activities carefully to make sure your child has adequate time for homework every evening.
Teach teens not to go along with the crowd. Study the Bible together to clarify God's perspective on issues such as integrity and honesty.
Pray for your teen. Ask God to give him the grace to be honest and to bring him accountability when he's not. Getting caught in the little things might keep him from trying to get away with the big things.