Parental Assistance in Homework: A Teacher's Perspective

As a teacher, one of the most challenging situations I often face is when a student's work has clearly been done by a parent. This occurrence raises numerous questions and concerns about academic integrity, parental involvement, and the implications for both the student and the educational system.

Handling Suspected Parental Assistance

When I suspect a student is cheating by having their parents do their homework, my first step is to confront the student directly. This approach is based on the belief that most students will confess if given an opportunity to do so. Once the student acknowledges the situation, I follow the school's discipline policy regarding academic integrity. In the upper levels, the primary concern tends to be the use of AI rather than parents doing the work for their children.

Historical Context and Reflection

As a student, I had a very different experience. In my childhood, no help was available from my parents due to their alcoholism and minimal interest in my education. Consequently, I often struggled with poor grades, including Fs and Ds. However, my parents were not involved in my homework, as they did not care about my schooling, treating it more like babysitting. Ironically, when my own children came along, I ensured they had the necessary support and assistance to succeed, which resulted in both of them being on the honor roll.

Journey from Suspicion to Realization

Reflecting on my own experiences, I began to question the authenticity of some of my past classmates' achievements, particularly the amazing projects and presentations I recall with awe. After hearing about a cousin who had his homework done by his uncle, I became more aware of the possibility of such practices. When my son was accused of having his homework done by parents, we sought a private psychological evaluation to understand the true reasons behind his exceptional performance.

Our son was found to be performing at a level typical of 13- to 14-year-olds, leading to an apology from the school. Despite the staff's insistence on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to secure more funding, we refused, viewing it as a loss of trust and confidence.

Academic Challenges of Low Performing Students

The reality is that many students are performing far below grade level, leading to a low academic bar in classrooms. This situation unfairly slows the progress of high-performing students while the rest of the class struggles to catch up. For example, in third grade, students were still learning at kindergarten level, severely impacting a child's ability to reach the next grade level.

This disparity is not limited to public schools; it occurs in all types of educational settings, including private, charter, virtual, and homeschooling. As a result, gifted students often find themselves stuck, unable to advance academically due to the rest of their class's struggles. This can be frustrating and lead to disengagement.

Addressing the Issue

To address this problem, I took matters into my own hands. By getting my son a brain quest workbook, I helped him quickly complete the necessary curriculum. By the time he finished his sixth-grade workbook, his class was still working on first-grade material. This approach not only helped my son catch up but also provided him with the motivation and skills to excel academically.

Furthermore, the issue of students being paid to do their peers' homework is concerning. When I discovered that my son was busy doing other students' work while neglecting his own, I immediately addressed the problem by reporting it to the school and requesting that staff ensure students are completing their own homework.

Ultimately, as a teacher, it is crucial to maintain high standards of academic integrity and support all students in reaching their full potential. By taking a proactive approach, we can help students overcome challenges and succeed in their educational journey.