The case of four students being removed to a state school for cheating has raised a lot of fuss and won the newspapers’ attention. The four Redwood City students were caught copying each others homework and were removed to a regular high school class. Their parents lost the appeal but as the San Jose Mercury News reported the father of one of the students Jack Berghouse institute the sue against the district stating that the removal of his son would have material adverse effect on his son’s future entry of the Ivy League colleges.
Jack Berghouse, the farther of the student, claimed that one of the school’s Code paragraphs stated that the student was removed from the program only after the second case of plagiarism. He said that parents offered the alternative punishment for their kids but the school rejected and he had nothing else to do than to go to court in order to protect his son’s future.
Such an insolent claim aroused indignation in the city. The majority doubted in the eligibility for the lawsuit stating that it was important to teach children to take the consequences of their actions. People accused Berghouse showing a bad example for the community and for his son personally. He was accused in ignoring the school’s Code.
Many people shared their opinions and indignations with the San Jose Mercury News. An 82-year-old chemistry teacher Darrell Linthacum said that was not strict enough punishment for cheaters. He himself fails his students if he notices them cheating. He stated that he could not bear unethical behavior of students.
Wow, entitlement California culture, in full effect.
Unfortunately, Mr. Berghouse doesn’t get it. It’s his son’s cheating that will have an adverse effect on his future. The penalty is simply the consequence of the cheating, nothing more, nothing less.
After thinking this over I’ve come to a sad conclusion. Mr. Berhouse must be a crappy lawyer. Think about it. Do they still teach contract law in law school? Was Mr. Berghouse off that week? Did his son not sign a contract to behave himself? To not bring ” dishonor ” to the ” honor program ” ? My favorite part of this story is what an utter imbecile Mr. Berhouse must be. I’ve said it in other posts on this subject….if his son had taken his punishment like a man…it would have been forgotten. But in the digital age this albatross will stay around his neck as the kid is trying his best to get accepted at any reputable college. Nice resume….cheater with a dad who sues when his son gets caught cheating. Yeah….that phone that’s not ringin? Still not Stanford.
A crappy lawyer and lousy father…
The apple does not fall far from the tree.
The people that sue a school district as they discipline your children for cheating, realize you arr in the spotlight as incompetent parents. And that will follow your kids for life…
The people that sue a school district as they discipline your children for cheating, realize you arr in the spotlight as incompetent parents. And that will follow your kids for life…
Why is there any controversy? It’s the risk you take if you choose to cheat. Yet, instead of allowing his son to learn from his mistake this time, it seems as if the father will be happier when his son learns that lesson even further into life, at which point it’ll be even more costly to all involved. Since it sounds as if the father is a lawyer, I move we disbar him for unethical behavior. He makes his entire profession look bad.
I’m just delighted to learn that Doc Linthacum is still teaching after all these years. I had the honor of being one of his high school chemistry students decades ago and will never forget the experience. Doc, if you read this, thanks for some great lessons in chemistry and life. There were too few teachers like you and I’m glad to know you’re still fighting the good fight.
“….selective universities with no-fail policies.” (cough cough) Standford (cough cough)
At the university where I teach, if you cheat, you’re kicked out, plain and simple. I predict the kid will get into college, the kid will cheat and be caught, and the Dad will be out a lot more money as a result. Karma is a powerful thing…
You over-estimate the Ivy League. Money and influence trump honor there.
John R. Grout I seriously doubt he will be accepted at any good school now.
HOW CAN WE EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO BE HONEST !…
what is the difference, a student, cheating, lying, and stealing. when our politicians do it on a daily basis…
Children pay as much to politics and news, as you do to who is a role model to children. Children are influenced by two major groups – Parents, and peers. If you believe that children cheat because politicians do, you have been in the sun too long.
The fact is the young man cheated. Had he not been cheating it is likely he wouldn’t qualify for an “Ivy League” school in the first place. Consequences means its not favorable. Who could trust the young man now. What does this say of his or his father’s integrity if they choose to fight the matter. Due process?
This guy is creepy and slimy, yuck. The article makes some good points. I think the school should sue the slime for the money it spent defending itself.
You know whats going to harm your sons future Mr. Berghouse? Its your defending him for cheating and not letting him learn that their are consequences to his actions.
Hey, Berghouse: it was YOUR job to teach your spoiled brat some values. Sue yourself.
One thing for sure is that if the kid doesn’t learn anything from this, he won’t even have the slightest chance of surviving college.
Come on, all he is doing is to groom his son for a run for President, on the Republican Party platform.
This father is definitely not a conservative.
There are cinsequences for our actions why don’t people get this!!!