disagree By Carolyn

I would have done things a bit differently. I am not trying to make you feel badly, but I think that tearing up the tests because the boys talked after the test is a bit extreme and probably not the right thing to do. I would have told them that they would have had an after-school detention instead. Or, I would quietly tell them, so that nobody else was disturbed while working, that their parents would hear from you that evening.

As far as how to handle the parent, I would explain that you were following up on what you promised to do. You told the students in advance what the consequences would be, and you then gave the boys the punishment that was promised. You could then ask them to speak with the boys about what they ought to do the next time. Hopefully, the parents won't go running to your principal and you end up in the office. That's a hassle. If you end up in the office, I believe, depending upon your principal, he/she will try to encourage you to do something different the next time.