Harsher punishments for cheating in school.

There are benefits to having harsher punishments for cheating in schools. "According to many studies, in between 80 and 95 percent percent of high school students admitted to cheating at least once in the past year and 75 percent admitted to cheating four or more times" (Tim Walker, neaToday, 2012). Since between 80-95% of the surveyed admitted to cheating, it is possible that harsher punishments would deter more students from cheating. For example, in some courses at Bettendorf High School the first time you are caught cheating. it is a zero on the assignment/test and only after multiple times that you are caught cheating, do you fail the class. If there were harsher punishments, and the first time you were caught cheating, you could get an 'f' in the class, it could deter people from cheating.

Harsher punishments for cheating also has drawbacks. for example "[t]he reluctance of people to inflict harsh punishments often leads to situations where nothing is done, [and] less harsh penalties that are designed to be rehabilitative in nature potentially have a more positive impact" (Jay Mathews, Washington Post, 2001). If harsher punishments are instated, some teachers might not report cheating the first time. If teachers are not reporting some cheaters anyway, more severe punishments would be less effective than if the punishments were less severe. If a student cheats and has a less severe punishment, there is more chance that they can learn from their past mistakes.

I believe that there should not be harsher punishments for cheating in school. I think that harsher punishment could deter students from cheating. Conversely, it could also make teachers less likely to report cheating. Another reason is fewer students would likely report the cheating of fellow classmates. The reasons listed are some of the reasons why schools should not instate a harsher punishment for cheating.