2.  Cheaters pay a price for whatever they gain:  Missed opportunity to practice skills.  Missed opportunity to build a strong foundation for the learning that comes next.  People who cheat are making a trade… the possibility of a higher grade now for mastery of the subject.

3.  Some cheaters think that others will think they are cool because they passed a test without studying:  Everyone knows the truth.  Cheating is failure.  The act of cheating is an admission of failure.  Cheaters are lazy.

4.  Cheaters take advantage of others:  Others do the work while the cheater benefits.  Cheating can negatively effect the entire class.

5.  Cheaters send incorrect signals to the teacher:  Teachers evaluate students’ level of mastery based on their performance on assignments.  Teachers may believe the student is ready to move on to a higher level of learning.  Moving on based on invalid feedback sets the students up for failure and undermines the students’ self-esteem.

6. Giving up independence and self-control:  Thinking for yourself and practicing the skills brings about mastery learning.  When you cheat, someone else does the practice, gains the knowledge, and does the thinking.  You pass the class, but your ability to be successful the following year is greatly reduced and the difficulty of the work is greatly increased!

7.  Cheating creates isolation:  Asking someone if you can copy their work can cause you to lose a friend.  Others feel uncomfortable or feel that you are taking advantage.  People don’t trust you.

8.  Getting caught:  The teacher loses trust.  The teacher provides consequences.  School policy dictates consequences.  Read policy on page 10.

9.  What happens when you share your work with others:  You are cheating, too!  You are helping the cheater to be dishonest.  Teachers give zeroes to both.  If you have a conscience, you feel bad about yourself when you participate in cheating.  Just say no! You are doing your friend a favor.

10.  Cheating compromises your goal to be successful and live your own life.