'The parents want to meet with me': Teacher scolded for ripping up cheating students' tests

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Nov 4, 2023 9:00 AM EDT

When you do something wrong, you should feel bad about it and accept there are going to be repercussions. This is called a consequence, and without experiencing that negative stimulus, how on earth are you going to learn not to do it again? Still, the punishment needs to fit the crime, and making a public display when a young child makes a mistake isn't really the way to go about it. Ironically, this teacher hasn't learned her own intended lesson, as evidenced by the fact that she doesn't feel at all bad about the possibility that she took things too far and is refusing to even consider accepting the feedback or responsibility. 

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  • While the ripping of the tests is unnecessary, you can just see why these kids thought they could get away with cheating in the first place and they're going to continue growing up to be entitled brats if their parents really care more about the fact that they were "embarrassed" than the fact that they were cheating… I hope their parents still gave the kids a talking-to as well because those who live in a world without consequence will one day just be another entitled adult flouting the rules.

  • 01
    Tableware - "AITA for ripping a Student's test?" A
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  • 02
    Font - Posted by u/Sea-Archer7387 AITA for ripping a students test I (F24) teach 4th grade and this is my 2nd year teaching. On Friday students (9/10 yrs old) took a test and I told the students, if I catch you cheating I will rip your test and you will receive a 0. I caught two students sharing answers very clearly cheating. It made me very upset and I grabbed both test without saying anything, ripped the test, and put them on my desk. Later I talked with both
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
  • 03
    Font - student and made them call home to speak with their parents about what they did. I received an email that the parents want to meet with me regarding this. They actually came into the school and met with the Assistant Principal because they feel like their child was embarrassed by me ripping the test in front of the whole class.
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
  • 04
    Font - I have spoke with the student 1:1 and apologized that they felt embarrassed because my goal is never to make a student feel embarrassed. However, I don't feel bad because I feel that the student should feel embarrassed for cheating. I think the embarrassment is less about the ripping itself and more that students know he was cheating and that's embarrassing. I don't know but what do you guys think.
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  • 05
    Font - OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the ase: Was ripping the test an embarrassment to the student. I could see how it is but I don't exactly feel sorry.
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  • 06
    Font - Heloise_Morris YTA You can confiscate the test if you catch students cheating but ripping the test is unnecessary in front of the class. However, I don't feel bad because I feel that the student should feel embarrassed for cheating. Your intentions are to humiliate 10 years olds and that's pathetic. Are you a teacher or a bully? Reply Share 681 ●●●
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  • 07
    Font - CheshireCatsGrin87 Teacher here. Gently, because you are still young and inexperienced, but yeah, YTA. If you catch someone cheating, you simply take the test away, no dramatic gestures, ideally, no words. All students know why you do it, there's no need to distract the whole group - they need to focus on the test, not on the teacher's test- ripping show.
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
  • 08
    Font - And you need to develop an emotional distance from these situations. Students trying to cheat is an everyday occurence, you shouldn't be upset about it - deal with it quickly, no emotions, no drama. I don't even talk with them afterwards, there's nothing to talk about, I catch them, they receive a 0, end of it, and speaking with their parents?! Stop bothering parents with this, it doesn't reflect well on you, it only shows them that you cannot maturely deal with even these minor class iss
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
  • 09
    Font - And one more thing - keep in mind these are small children. Take care not to terrify them. Your primary goal is to incite interest in your subject and learning in general. If you kill THIS in children, they lose something much more valuable than the data you are trying to teach them. Good luck! 406 Reply Share
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
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    Font - Existing_Space_2498 Also a teacher and I agree with everything you said except not calling home. Most parents would ask questions about why their child received a 0 on a test. It's better to head off those questions by calling home while the incident is fresh. 107 Reply Share
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
  • 11
    Font - Shitsuri I think an educator employing public humiliation is bad form so I'd say YTA honestly. I hope you refrain from using it in the future 150 Reply Share
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  • 12
    Font - jmbbl YTA. Surely the school has a policy on cheating? And I imagine it doesn't involve ripping up tests in front of the whole class. Also, saying sorry "that they felt embarrassed" is a crpy apology. Not surprising though, since you say you don't even feel bad. Reply Share 140
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  • 13
    Font - holisarcasm YTA. You taught them that it is okay to destroy something of someone else's and that you cannot control your emotions. 88 Reply Share
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  • 14
    Font - forever_sprinkles_ YTA - you lack social and emotional maturity for the job. Look into being better. ↑ 57 ↓ Reply Share
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  • 15
    Font - TheCyberGlitch YTA Shaming students for cheating isn't necessarily wrong, but you aren't owning up to your intentions. Ripping a test in front of the whole class obviously intends to publicly shame the student for cheating. To claim you didn't mean to embarrass them is unbelievable. Like you said, deep down you believe the student should feel embarrassed for cheating. 49 Reply Share
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
  • 16
    Font - WickedAngelLove YTA you are doing this to 8-10 year old kids. Not adults. Cheating is wrong- yes but ripping up their tests in front of other students is embarrassing and children don't need to be embarrassed, they need to be taught right from wrong. You can give them a 0 and talk to them instead, you decide to just ruin any chance of those kids and other kids actually liking you. But you are probably one of those teachers who doesn't want to be liked, you just want kids to learn. But thi
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
  • 17
    Font - BoyoDee YTA I was gonna say soft YTA at first but gosh your comments are so childish for someone in your profession “I feel sorry that they felt embarrassed" is such a non apology. Despite your repeated insistence that public humiliation was not the intention here, it's kind of unbelievable to think that ripping up a test in front of everyone wouldn't be. You're a teacher and need to remain professional. 29 ↓ Reply Share
    via u/Sea-Archer7387
  • 18
    Font - PurpleMarsAlien YTA In what world is yanking away tests and ripping them up something any teacher thinks is a good classroom management strategy in elementary school? 23 Reply Share ●●●
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