This paper argues that document analysis can add a more nuanced understanding of student ethical ... more This paper argues that document analysis can add a more nuanced understanding of student ethical reasoning and enhance current approaches to cheating research. To demonstrate the benefits of this approach, I examine the cheating epidemic at Stuyvesant High School through editorials in their school newspaper. Stuyvesant is known for academically talented students focused on elite college admission. My findings suggest that the influence of achievement culture on cheating is more complex than what was captured by the school’s internal cheating survey or in traditional cheating research. Further, contrary to existing expectations, students do not collaborate purely to boost their own academic performance. In a system they define as unfair and rigged, they collaborate even when it puts them at an academic disadvantage. The finding that there is a sense of communal rebellion against their achievement-oriented context demonstrates the efficacy of document analysis as a complementary approach for understanding student cheating.
No GPA" remind us that there are many successful educational strategies already in place and many... more No GPA" remind us that there are many successful educational strategies already in place and many students who find exactly the right fit.
Given the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, its ever increasing costs, and the unce... more Given the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, its ever increasing costs, and the uncertain global economic climate, collaborations 1 are increasingly cited as a solution to many of the challenges faced by colleges and universities today. Consortia are seen as a way to expand resources, enhance curricular and extra-curricular offerings, and reduce costs through the sharing of services, facilities, and purchasing power. Ideally, by building these strategic partnerships, institutions are able to create a synergistic effect in which the consortium offers greater resources and opportunities -optimally at the same or even reduced costs -than any single school could provide to its students, faculty, and staff on its own. According to Anthony Marx, former President of Amherst College, "[a]s higher education's business model, rising tuition, growing need for financial aid, reliance on less certain public financing, investment earnings and philanthropy, comes under increasing pressure, the advantages of collaboration are ever more apparent" (Reyes, 2010). Yet, despite the importance placed on the idea of cooperation among tertiary institutions and the possible benefits of these relationships, my survey suggests there is surprisingly little information about how to form these partnerships and guide them to a successful and readily sustained operation. Equally as significant is the lack of shared knowledge about the problems and pitfalls inherent in uniting different institutions with individual missions and values. Without access to this type of information, institutions that are considering forming consortial relationships cannot benefit from the collective wisdom of experienced collaborators. Indeed, this lack of transparency may be 1 In this paper, the terms "collaboration", "consortium", and "partnership" are used interchangeably, which reflects how the schools in this study employ the terminology. All three terms refer to the close relationships formed among multiple institutions for the benefit of one or more members of the group.
This paper argues that document analysis can add a more nuanced understanding of student ethical ... more This paper argues that document analysis can add a more nuanced understanding of student ethical reasoning and enhance current approaches to cheating research. To demonstrate the benefits of this approach, I examine the cheating epidemic at Stuyvesant High School through editorials in their school newspaper. Stuyvesant is known for academically talented students focused on elite college admission. My findings suggest that the influence of achievement culture on cheating is more complex than what was captured by the school’s internal cheating survey or in traditional cheating research. Further, contrary to existing expectations, students do not collaborate purely to boost their own academic performance. In a system they define as unfair and rigged, they collaborate even when it puts them at an academic disadvantage. The finding that there is a sense of communal rebellion against their achievement-oriented context demonstrates the efficacy of document analysis as a complementary approach for understanding student cheating.
No GPA" remind us that there are many successful educational strategies already in place and many... more No GPA" remind us that there are many successful educational strategies already in place and many students who find exactly the right fit.
Given the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, its ever increasing costs, and the unce... more Given the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, its ever increasing costs, and the uncertain global economic climate, collaborations 1 are increasingly cited as a solution to many of the challenges faced by colleges and universities today. Consortia are seen as a way to expand resources, enhance curricular and extra-curricular offerings, and reduce costs through the sharing of services, facilities, and purchasing power. Ideally, by building these strategic partnerships, institutions are able to create a synergistic effect in which the consortium offers greater resources and opportunities -optimally at the same or even reduced costs -than any single school could provide to its students, faculty, and staff on its own. According to Anthony Marx, former President of Amherst College, "[a]s higher education's business model, rising tuition, growing need for financial aid, reliance on less certain public financing, investment earnings and philanthropy, comes under increasing pressure, the advantages of collaboration are ever more apparent" (Reyes, 2010). Yet, despite the importance placed on the idea of cooperation among tertiary institutions and the possible benefits of these relationships, my survey suggests there is surprisingly little information about how to form these partnerships and guide them to a successful and readily sustained operation. Equally as significant is the lack of shared knowledge about the problems and pitfalls inherent in uniting different institutions with individual missions and values. Without access to this type of information, institutions that are considering forming consortial relationships cannot benefit from the collective wisdom of experienced collaborators. Indeed, this lack of transparency may be 1 In this paper, the terms "collaboration", "consortium", and "partnership" are used interchangeably, which reflects how the schools in this study employ the terminology. All three terms refer to the close relationships formed among multiple institutions for the benefit of one or more members of the group.
Uploads
Papers by Alexis Redding
Keywords: academic integrity, cheating, achievement culture
Keywords: academic integrity, cheating, achievement culture