Honor Code Dbq Essay

The uprising conflict regarding the usage of honor codes being apart of school systems, from elementary schools to colleges. Some argue that honor codes are ineffective while others believe the contrary. The recognition of getting a high grade on a test using one’s knowledge is more delightful than knowing the answers are someone else’s. Honor code systems gives students fairness and punishments for the actions they chose to make. In fact my school’s honor code should be maintained because it promotes a positive academic environment, lowers the percentage of academic dishonesty, and it easily adapts to the school environment. Firstly, one might think that honor codes will create dictatorial and conflicting school environment. As seen in Aaron Bacall’s cartoon, which states that “...a spycam can greatly improve the honor code” (Source A). Although it’s a reasonable assumption it doesn’t hold to be true when it’s put to test. For example, in Donald McCabe and Gary …show more content…
As it is seen in the students’ responses at Lawrence Academy in Alyssa Vangelli, they said that they did “...not see it as their responsibility” when asked to report cheating (Source B). Another example are the Harvard students in the article about honor codes by Jennifer Dirmeyer and Alexander Cartwright who “...are skeptical that signing a piece of paper will suddenly cause a cheater to change their ways” (Source C). It can be later seen in Dirmeyer and Cartwright’s article that honor codes that are strictly enforced managed by students reduces cheating due to punishments and a social disapproval. Additionally, referring back to McCabe and Pavela’s article, “...the highest levels of cheating are usually found at colleges that have not engaged their students in active dialogue on the issue of academic dishonesty” (Source F). Evidently, maintaining an honor code within the school is proven to reduce