I think tattletails are kids who tell on other kids when the only goal is getting those meanies in trouble. Cheating is stealing in my book, and stealing robs the owner of something that is his/hers. So Jane did the absolute right thing.

The teacher blew it. Totally. I agree that it sends the wrong message to Jane. And what kind of message does it send to the child who cheats???

I totally agree and commend this child for what she did. The teacher/adult is the one that needs to be reprimanded for her actions. This could affect the child's life for a long time. If we are teaching our children to do right, how can a teacher who we entrust our child to day in and out be allowed to do such a wrong thing. I say take it to the principal and make certain the problem is addressed.

We are having issues with a Dean of Students that has no problem suspending a first grader for "using inappropate words" but asks high school students ( one was attacked from behind by the other in the school hallway because she "heard" a boy she liked had called the one she was attacking!) to come together and work through this with mediation! This was after the attacked student spent two days in the hospital and her parents learned the attacker has a past record in her old high school for the same problem! No, mediation was not going to take place and the parents ended up pressuring the Dean to handle this different. Finally it was their attorney that changed his mind (the parent told "us moms" it was the best $150 she ever spent!) and the attacker was expelled but that was A MONTH after the attack and she had been in school two weeks of that time while the other girl was schooled from home.

When did the rules change? When did our children have to make sure others were following the rules and not the educated adults? I remember wetting my pants when I had to tell the Principal that a boy kissed me in the hall when I was in first grade! I hope my kids have more courage than I did! You all have such brave and terrific kids!

I hope "Jane" has been assured she did the right thing. She was simply being honest. I think the teacher should have compared the two tests. If Jane's belief was correct, the teacher would have seen the similarities in the answers. If so, I think she should have requested Sue retake the test. If an explanation was needed, an inteeligent person could explain, without involving an innocent child. Protecting this child from any retribution, should have been the teacher's first concern. I am not convinced she showed this child any consideration, or respect.

My son defended a girl in the fifth grade. Three or four boys had her cornered, and were fondling her. Though small for his age, at the time, he went to her rescue. Later, when the teacher heard about it, she ask my son, in the presence of the entire class, who the boys were. I think the little girl was afraid to tell her. I have always told my son to speak only the truth. He did. I received phone calls from other children warning me these boys were going to "get" my son. In less than two weeks, for his protection, I had to take my son out of school. I home schooled him the next two years. School has "untaught" my son that "Honesty is the best policy."

I will be discussing what happened to my son with the principal as soon as he comes back to school.

My son decided to tell on some kids that said things that made him very uncomfortable on the bus after a field trip. He told me they were "Yucky things", really what he told me shouldn't have been on a 9 year olds mind let alone coming out of their mouths. His teacher thought it needed to be told to the principal, considering what was said...

So what does the principal do? He called all the kids into his office that were involved and had my son tell on them in front of them all. One of them was a friend too. I was floored when he told me. I sure hope that these boys don't get upset enough to retaliate, we live in a neighborhood full of kids that do. I'm upset that a principal would put a child in that situation.

I'm proud of my son for doing what he thought was right. I in no way consider him a tattle tale, and why do we label kids who try to do the right thing as if they have done something bad.

I agree, the teacher needs to be talked to and explain that putting "Jane" on the spot like that could have very serious consequences. I would also like to add that I too came from the no-tattling generation. I remember in Kindergarten, if a child "tattled" they had to wear a long paper tail the rest of the day, the "tattle-tail". Sounds amazing today huh??
I have the other problem where my child gets into more trouble because he hasn't told in the past but rather tried to handle situations himself and then getting in trouble himself. I hope it works out for them...