I am a parent and I am experiencing a similar situation with my high school daughter. She is a top student, involved in school sports and extracurricular s, holds student body and club offices.. great kid. She recently was denied membership in a club and the reason that was given was that she does not have good character. After researching this, contacting the principal, making official requests for documentation it has been made evident that one of her negative character ratings came from a teacher who accused her of cheating on an AP exam. Apparently, and according to the superintendent in a letter he wrote to me. There was a rumor about her cheating on an exam.

The school says that they found told the teachers that were determining membership to disregard the comment about her cheating, however they still allowed this teacher to give a negative character rating, and still kept the comment about cheating in her file.


Yes! I can prove that this is a lie and a rumor and not true, because she has not yet taken an AP class.

So, what do you all think?

I can't imagine teachers spreading rumours... your proof ? I don't know how you would proceed, but it would appear you should have all your 'ducks in a row', and not make accusations until you are sure of your facts.

And your daughter's input is..

I would request to see documentation of this supposed comment. I would also have your daughter speak to the teacher directly about it. If she says it never happened, the teacher can write a letter stating that and it can be withdrawn as a reason.

I know, it is hard to believe.. I have a copy of the documentation where that the teacher rated her character low and the reason given was that she cheated on an AP exam. I also have an explanation of the situation in writing from district superintendent saying that when the principal questioned the teacher about the comment, he explained that he had heard that she had cheated on this exam. The principal says that he told the teacher that the rumor was not true and that she has never taken an AP class. However, they allowed the rating form, with the negative rumor to be used in determining her qualification for National Honor Society, because "The teacher said he would still give her a negative character rating because he has seen her interact negatively with students in the hallway this year"

My daughter is so upset, not only because she has been denied membership, but because there are teachers that probably have heard this rumor and think she is a cheater. She wants her name cleared!

This is truly a rumor. She has not ever taken this course, so we can't go to the teacher of this course and say.. hey, not only did she not take your class, she didn't cheat in it. We don't know who the teacher who is spreading the rumor is because it was on a faculty rating form. The principal does know though, but will not give us any information.

It is a very sad situation. I am a teacher myself.. I can not imagine!

I would request to see documentation of this supposed comment. I would also have your daughter speak to the teacher directly about it. If she says it never happened, the teacher can write a letter stating that and it can be withdrawn as a reason.


I have a copy of the comment. It is confirmed by the principal and superintendent. However their justification is that, he heard a rumor that she cheated, so made the comment. My point is.. the fact that there is a rumor that she has cheated is NOT OK!



I can't imagine teachers spreading rumours... your proof ? I don't know how you would proceed, but it would appear you should have all your 'ducks in a row', and not make accusations until you are sure of your facts.

And your daughter's input is..

My proof is a copy of the teachers comment on the rating form, and the confirmation from the principal and superintendent (in writing) that the comment was made because the teacher heard a rumor... I am sure of the facts.. My daughter is a victim of some very professional, unethical.. and perhaps even illegal behaviors.

Her input. She is extremely upset, wants her name cleared, does not know who to trust at the school. And thinks that now teachers who she has had great relationships with will be suspect of her, or believe the rumor to be true.

Bring it to your local school board at their next meeting. Don't go with an issue, ask for help understanding the alleged problem.

The principal of the school should intercede since the allegation of cheating can be shown to be false due to her obvious course selection. However, if teacher opinion of a student's behavior also plays a role in the qualifications, you may not have recourse since the teacher felt that there was behavior shown in the hallway that would justify not meeting the requirements.

In regard to the cheating rumor, unfair, but since teachers will know she was not in an AP class, they would treat it as an inaccurate rumor. I know this situation is upsetting to both you and your daughter, but I can assure you that the teachers will not be concerned with a rumor of a single cheating incident.

If you want to pursue it, go back to the principal and ask how it can be rectified at the school level. If need be, a mention of going higher up, such as contacting the superintendent, may or may not get results.

A word of caution....while parents do want to fight for their child, when possible, this can be a good lesson for your daughter in initiating most of the contacts to try and find some resolution.

I'd ask for a meeting with the teacher, principal, and superintendent. It sounds like a lot of misinformation may be the cause of this, but everyone can speak their minds at the meeting. If you aren't satisfied, then attend the next school board meeting. Contact the board secretary in advance to get on the schedule. Hopefully, it's an open board meeting where the public can attend. Ask your daughter to speak if she would like to. Between meeting with the superintendent and with the school board, hopefully you can get this resolved.

I guess, I would want to just add a word of caution. Winning a battle and losing a war.
I am going to go to a bad side of what can happen. First she was denied membership into some club. If after making the school, allow her in the club, how welcome will the staff be, to have this. I had an issue with a school over a minor issue, with my second oldest son. I forced the school, to review security videos, involved our family attorney to force them to allow me to see the video. It proved my son had nothing to do with the incident. But... the following months, and the next year, his grades were all slightly lower, written papers were not getting as high of marks, If he was late for a activity, an issue was made. It was obvious that the school teachers and staff, made a united front to stand up for each other, (even if wrong).

I agree with you Fr Chuck. But, at this point, it's already going to be an issue since the OP already dealt with the principal, teacher, and has something in writing from the superintendent. I'd continue on, but that's me. I'd want the school board to hear my side before moving forward. Written statements, without meeting with those involved, make me believe mthat these people didn't take the OP seriously.

I guess, I would want to just add a word of caution. Winning a battle and losing a war.
I am going to go to a bad side of what can happen. First she was denied membership into some club. If after making the school, allow her in the club, how welcome will the staff be, to have this. I had an issue with a school over a minor issue, with my second oldest son. I forced the school, to review security videos, involved our family attorney to force them to allow me to see the video. It proved my son had nothing to do with the incident. But... the following months, and the next year, his grades were all slightly lower, written papers were not getting as high of marks, If he was late for a activity, an issue was made. It was obvious that the school teachers and staff, made a united front to stand up for each other, (even if wrong).

I completely understand your word of caution.. I can see this happening at her school.


I agree with you Fr Chuck. But, at this point, it's already going to be an issue since the OP already dealt with the principal, teacher, and has something in writing from the superintendent. I'd continue on, but that's me. I'd want the school board to hear my side before moving forward. Written statements, without meeting with those involved, make me believe mthat these people didn't take the OP seriously.


What is the OP. And yes, I am surprised that the super would put into writing that there was a rumor, and this teacher had.. put it into writing and saved it on a rating form..


The principal of the school should intercede since the allegation of cheating can be shown to be false due to her obvious course selection. However, if teacher opinion of a student's behavior also plays a role in the qualifications, you may not have recourse since the teacher felt that there was behavior shown in the hallway that would justify not meeting the requirements.

In regard to the cheating rumor, unfair, but since teachers will know she was not in an AP class, they would treat it as an inaccurate rumor. I know this situation is upsetting to both you and your daughter, but I can assure you that the teachers will not be concerned with a rumor of a single cheating incident.

If you want to pursue it, go back to the principal and ask how it can be rectified at the school level. If need be, a mention of going higher up, such as contacting the superintendent, may or may not get results.

A word of caution....while parents do want to fight for their child, when possible, this can be a good lesson for your daughter in initiating most of the contacts to try and find some resolution.

Yes, I support her in advocating for herself on this, but am serving as an adviser in this rather than the one communicating. I think it means more coming from her.


I'd ask for a meeting with the teacher, principal, and superintendent. It sounds like a lot of misinformation may be the cause of this, but everyone can speak their minds at the meeting. If you aren't satisfied, then attend the next school board meeting. Contact the board secretary in advance to get on the schedule. Hopefully, it's an open board meeting where the public can attend. Ask your daughter to speak if she would like to. Between meeting with the superintendent and with the school board, hopefully you can get this resolved.


Thanks for the reply. We shall continue to seek answers.

OP means the original poster, and that is you cassiejm. I'd continue on with this. Keep us posted and let us know what happens.

Although I agree with Chucks warning, I also have to say that fear of retribution in the future, is exactly why many people don't stand up for themselves when something happens at school, or later on in life in the work place. It's fear that speaking out against a wrong, will make your life worse. That shouldn't be allowed, it's not okay, and if everyone stays silent when they're wronged, then we're sending the message that their fear tactics are working.

I think you should continue to fight to clear her name. Not only to clear her name, but to teach her to fight for what's right, and not be afraid to do so.