forging a signature highschool graduation requirement question

[profdsny]

The fact that they had to not only do the work, but meet with the advisor on this, and didn't, seems to indicate more issues than just forging the signature.
Are you sure that maybe this isn't work that was done a few years ago by other students who you may not have had? Perhaps these kids knew the advisor would spot it right away. I'd meet with the advisor with the work for starts, then go from there. But there is something more than just no signature. How hard can it be to meet with an advisor to have him or her sign off on something? This is more than them just forgetting to staple the papers or put them in a binder.
And, again the issue of forgery. How would you feel if these kids went to the advisor, with a forged note from you, letting them go there during another class?
And at this point I think an "F" is fair, with a letter to the parents explaing why. These kids knew what they were up to. Let them take the consequences.

 

[OlderMan]

My DD in Fifth Grade did not do a project that the teacher had assigned.

DW and I were unaware of the project, so could do nothing.

The teacher e-mailed me about it. My response to her was to "feel free fo fail" my DD on the project. (Teacher actually allowed my DD to turn the project late. I thought an F would have been better, myself.)

I don't see any reason to give these HS students any slack, either.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Older Man, I've done the same thing with my DS10--he doesn't bring home the project assignment sheet, and I only find out about it when I walk the halls and see the finished project (with none from him to be found).

I make him do it anyway and hand it in. I'm very clear to the teacher that, even if he gets a zero, I'm okay with it--he's doing the assigned work. Period. If he doesn't learn this now, in elementary, it's going to be even worse down the line.

 

[OlderMan]

Buzzandbelle'smom,

Thanks for the support. My DW actually agreed with me when I told her what had happened.

Last night was school conference night and DD's teacher commented on the "improvement" she's shown since earlier in the year when the situation occured.

I see you're in "upstate NY." I used to be in Saratoga Springs, north of Albany.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We actually live in Galway (western Saratoga County, I'm sure you know that). I generally don't mention it since nobody's ever heard of it! I'll have to send some of this snow and ice down your way, so you don't get to missing it...

BTW, I had issues with my son in 4th grade--he seems to have cleaned up his act now that he's in 5th. Once he realized that hiding the project sheet wouldn't get him out of doing the work, it didn't seem worth the effort.

 

[EthansMom]

I agree with the previous posters. The students cheated. They should face the same consequences as if they cheated on a final exam for a class, IMO.

Also, if I were involved, I'd be interested in finding out WHY the students did this.

 

[OlderMan]

Actually, I do miss the snow and cold.

Of course, it rarely gets below freezing here.

Somewhere I posted about my DD's not liking the "cold"--i.e. below 50 degrees. I tell them it's not cold until it's 30 below zero, you have to brush snow off your car while it's running to melt the ice and when you walk outside and take a breath the inside of your nose freezes!

Enjoy the winter!!

 

[horseshowmom]

I tend to agree with the majority. Forgery is a big thing, and I think I'd give them a failing grade. After the forgery, I would have to wonder how much of the rest of the project was manufactured. I'm assuming that they would have to complete another project next semester to complete the graduation requirement, so I would require that that project be completely different and started from scratch.

 

["Got Disney"]

What would be the consequences?

I mean.. for me, my senior project was a MAJOR thing and something I had to pass to be eligible for graduation. It had about 20 different parts and various cross-curriculum parts to it. It was a doozy.

I wouldn't fail them if it meant they wouldn't graduate, since they did the work. I'd maybe talk to the advisor since it was THEIR signature he forged and let them be a part of the process. Someone forging your signature, whether on something that minor or a check, is offensive towards the person. Make sure the advisor plays a part so they feel peachy when everything is over with..

I agree let to make sure that the person's signature that was signed new about it. I would not fail them. I would give some points off maybe if they were to get an "A" give them a "B"...a grade lower because the signature was part of the project and they did not get it.

I would also make them do a 2 page or more report and research on forgery...what can happen to people that forge other peoples names and make sure they show where they got there research,

I think that is a more important lesson than a suspension. After all what kid does not welcome a suspension away from school. The extra work is what stinks.

so I would lower there grade for part of a assignment missing. Have them go and apologize to the persons whom name was forged and a 2 page report on why that is a crime.

 

[letfuller]

Thank you for all of your words of advice! I am not the teacher of this course, just an advisor whose signature was forged. I only discovered my attempted signature, because I asked about the portfolio, knowing that I had not seen it before student's oral presentation. I was fuming yesterday and wanted to throttle a few necks, so I felt I should come to the Dis and vent for some perspective.

I would have to say I agree with the F. As a teacher, it really bothers me to give an F grade. Contrary to popular teen opinion, teachers don't sit in the lounge and plot how to best flunk a kid. They earn the grade they receive, but in the past few years, parents are a squeaky wheel that has too much influence with the administration. That said, I was hoping to go back to my colleagues with ideas as to how to approach this.

I am saddened by the apparent lack of respect that some of our students and parents seem to have. I love my job, but it seems each year is more difficult to handle. I would have NEVER forged or turned in an assignment I did not do, but then I liked school!

~Linda

 

[Oreo Cookie]

I think they cheated, and they should receive and "F" on the project.

 

[ecuagoddess]

I think they cheated, and they should receive and "F" on the project.