In contrast to the slower pace of adopting online learning seen in the previous decades, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a rapid and widespread shift to online education. However, this sudden transition also led to an increase in academic dishonesty, posing a threat to the integrity of online courses. Many educational institutions and educators are uncertain about how to effectively respond to these new forms of cheating. This research aimed to understand the recent changes in academic dishonesty based on the latest literature. The study revealed concerning trends: new methods of contract cheating and collaborative cheating, shifting perceptions of cheating among students, a reported increase in online cheating, and a lack of strong institutional efforts to address these challenges. Despite these difficulties, the study also identified a range of potential solutions, both innovative and well-established, that can help counteract the problem of academic dishonesty, provided there is a willingness and the necessary resources to implement them. Keywords: Academic Dishonesty, Online learning, Contract Cheating, Cheating DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-25-05 Publication date:September 30^th 2023

This study aimed to investigate the influence of assessment quality and assessment literacy on students' academic performance in core mathematics within senior high schools in the Akuapem North Municipality. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from core mathematics educators in the municipality using a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, assessment literacy, and teacher quality. A regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between assessment quality and literacy and student academic performance. The findings indicated that neither assessment quality nor assessment literacy significantly predicted student academic performance. Specifically, pedagogical expertise, subject-matter knowledge, classroom management skills, test construction understanding, and assessment feedback practice did not have a statistically significant impact on student academic performance. This study contributes to the understanding of the multifaceted factors influencing student academic performance and underscores the importance of comprehensive approaches in educational research and practice. The results suggest that other factors beyond assessment quality and literacy may play a more significant role in shaping student outcomes in the Akuapem North Municipality. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of considering local contexts and exploring a broader range of variables when examining educational outcomes, providing valuable insights for educators and policymakers aiming to improve student performance in core mathematics. Article visualizations: