A few years ago, 14 students at an affluent public high school were involved in a school break-in. They weren't vandals and weren't trying to steal anything. Their goal was to alter computer records of their academic transcripts so they'd have a better chance of getting into premier colleges.
Some people were horrified, others were amused, and still others treated the matter as a minor youthful indiscretion. The superintendent fell into the last category. "It's a one-time infraction of the rules," he said and imposed a five-day suspension.
Corrected transcripts were sent to the colleges involved, but the schools weren't told about the burglary or falsification of records. According to the superintendent, "The students were under a lot of pressure, but we think they learned their lesson. We don't want to ruin their lives."
The students learned a lesson all right.
They learned that there's little downside to doing whatever it takes to get what you want, even if it involves committing a felony. They learned that even if you get caught, you probably won't suffer serious consequences. Come on! Suspending high school seniors for a week is a vacation, not a punishment.
This sort of excessive leniency sends a terrible message to kids about right and wrong. The superintendent trivialized the act by calling it a "mistake." A mathematical error is a mistake. Forgetting someone's birthday is a mistake. Getting into a bad relationship is a mistake.
Breaking into a locked office to alter documents is not a mistake. It's a premeditated act of dishonesty and should be treated as such. If that means the students will suffer long-term impact, so be it. That's what justice requires and responsibility is about.
-character counts
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