How to Stem the Epidemic of Classroom Cheating

While cheating has become all too common in U.S. high schools, teachers can reduce its occurrence.

Supporters of former Atlanta public school educators who were sentenced in a cheating scandal attend a vigil outside Fulton County Superior Court, Tuesday, April 14, in Atlanta. Eric Anderman argues that the motivations for cheating can be reduced if teachers and students focus on mastery. AP Photo/David Goldman

We have been hearing stories about academic cheating: from students caught cheating on homework assignments as well as college entrance exams to teachers being caught in cheating scandals, such as the ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Columbus, Ohio.

Today, between 75 percent and 98 percent of college students surveyed each year report having cheated in high school. So, if cheating is happening on that large a scale, is it just inevitable? And can we even blame our students?

Between 75 percent and 98 percent of college students surveyed each year report having cheated in high school.