California Teaches Students to Cheat

California state documents show that at least 75 teachers helped students cheat on standardized tests over the past five years. The Los Angeles Times reported that teachers gave students the right answers, gave hints, and even "changed the students' responses themselves."

The somewhat controversial methods are part of an experimental program sponsored by the National Education Association, tentatively called "Cheating: It's a Blast!" The program aims to help students become more competent in their cheating habits, said California Teachers Association representative Beverly Tucker. "Students cheat on their history papers, they cheat on their english exams, and they cheat on their math tests," she said. "Too many of those students are getting caught because they lack basic knowledge of time-tested recipes for cheating success. That's where we come in." Tucker helped implement the program, which allows students to substitute one of their other courses for an hour of cheating exercises. Students who take the course are graded on how well they cheat, "with extra credit given for more creative cheating," according to Tucker. So far, the majority of those taking the course are involved with student government. "The student government officers say the cheating course is a good way to prepare for life as a real elected official," added Tucker.