Why Is Honor Code Important In Schools

The use of honor codes generates contention among school systems nationwide over their effectiveness or lack thereof. Some believe that they create an environment that revolves around academic integrity and honesty, while also forcing students to take on a responsibility to promote its enforcement. This in turn teaches life-long lessons to peers. As a high school student, I firmly believe that an honor code system being implemented into my school, along with schools across the nation, would be extremely beneficial to students and teachers. An honor code would change the academic environment and values that are upheld within for the better. In today’s society, cheating is practically acceptable. Students feel that they are surrounded by swarms of cheaters, and therefore participate in this cheating behavior themselves in an effort to keep up with the other students paces. “Unfortunately, it appears many students view highs school as simply an annoying obstacle on the way to college, a place where they learn little of value, where teachers are unreasonable or unfair, and where, since “everyone else” is cheating, they have no choice but to do the same to remain competitive (McCabe and Pavela).” These habits that have become instilled into high school students’ brains are habits that will impair and constrain them in their future. They will carry these habits alongside them en route to college, where the consequences of cheating and lying become prevalent and detrimental. An enforced honor code may take time for high school students and other grade level students to adapt and practice, but might actually benefit them as they prepare for their higher education or future in the workforce. An honor code would place responsibility upon students to enforce it and maintain its standards. …show more content…
While it seems extremely difficult to report a peer to authority for cheating or stealing, especially if it is a close acquaintance, the acknowledgement of someone receiving the grade they deserve based upon the work they are willing to put into it is far more important. “The success of the honor code, then, depends on the expectations that students have of their peers’ behavior (Dirmeyer and Cartwright).” This responsibility would help to teach students the true value of academic integrity and honesty within themselves. Schools would be delegating expectations onto their students to uphold the schools morals and values and for that reason, it is partly the schools responsibility to find ways to make the honor code effective and rewarding for everyone involved. “Not all colleges have what it takes to make an honor code effective—not because the students aren’t honest, but because they don’t expect anyone else to be. And with honor codes, expectations determine reality (Dirmeyer and Cartwright).” Thus, an effective honor code would create a sense of trust between the administration and student body as there would be a newfound confidence amongst each other. An effective honor code would establish an academic environment in which all students want to thrive in. No student should ever feel uncomfortable or betrayed when it comes to their work or thoughts just because another student wishes to copy their answers or words to receive a higher grade. “I voted in favor (of an honor code) because I wanted to go to a school where I could feel comfortable taking an exam without worrying about someone looking at