ONLINE CHEATING -- A CASE OF THE EMPEROR'S CLOTHING, ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, AND THE 800 LB GORILLA".

Take your pick of the above metaphors. It is the authors' belief that the amount of potential for cheating in online college and university courses is largely being ignored by the industry, and that turning a blind eye to this problem can lead to serious negative consequences for all involved, including society as a whole. This paper examines the growth in online classes, along with the potential for cheating and the reasons why six distinct groups with differing self-interests are turning a blind eye to this problem; students, faculty, higher education administrators, legislatures, parents and student support groups, and for-profit institutions. The possible negative repercussions to the higher educational system and society in general are many. Assessment is central to education because the main purpose of an educational institution is to validate student knowledge. Not being able to do that adequately or correctly is an indictment of all involved. A good place to start to deal with the problem is by acknowledging that it exists, however humiliating that might be. In the meantime, it appears the cheaters are winning the battle because of the 800 pound gorilla in the room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]