Academic Integrity Policy
Purpose:
The IB Student in the Longfellow Middle Years Program (MYP) is expected to hold themselves to the highest standard of academic honesty as referenced in the IB Learner Profile traits of being principled, reflective students. This applies to all academic areas including daily work, collaboration, assessment, personal interactions, and ethical behavior. It is important for our students to learn what it means to be principled in their academic work and, therefore, prepare them for success in their future careers. This Honor Code includes all classes and activities associated with Longfellow Middle School.
Defining Academic Dishonesty:
Within the San Antonio ISD (SAISD) Student Code of Conduct, cheating and plagiarism is considered a Level 1 Serious Offense that will be assessed disciplinary penalties commensurate with the offense (SCOC pg. 34). Students caught in acts of academic dishonesty (i.e., cheating or plagiarism) are subject to discipline as well.
Plagiarism is defined as the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own and not crediting the original author. Plagiarism equally applies to work other than written text (i.e. art, music, data, etc.) Examples include:
- Presenting the ideas or work of another person as your own
- Copying information from a book or a website
- Failure to identify sources of work
Collusion, or cheating, is defined as the practice of obtaining (copying) work to be submitted by another student, including allowing one’s work to be copied. Examples include:
- Sharing or gathering information or questions from a test (assessment)
- Allowing work to be copied or submitted by another student
Content specific examples of academic dishonesty include:
- Library Media Services: Using video or images without proper citation or permission; not including resources in school projects (science fair, living history, etc.)
- Fine Arts: Copying someone else's work as one’s own; looking around to see what answers others are giving; copying or performing another person's composition as one’s own; violating copyright laws
- Math: Copying another student's vocabulary words, homework, math assignment, test, and/or exam and taking credit.
- Science: Copying scientific research and not providing a reference, copying another student’s journal
- Language and Literature: Copying research and not providing a reference (works cited) or citations. Submitting someone’s essay as your own.
- Individuals and Societies: Not citing sources in research; using original maps or documents as one’s own.
Consequences of Academic Dishonesty:
In accordance with SAISD guidelines, academic dishonesty is a Level I Serious Offense that will be assessed disciplinary penalties commensurate with the offense (SCOC pg. 34) by the supervising teacher and campus administration. These techniques range from parent / counselor conferences to grade reductions to suspensions or even expulsion as permitted by Policy EIA (LOCAL) as follows (p.11):
- 1st offense: Parent and counselor conference and disciplinary action (detention) etc.
- 2nd offense: Parent and counselor conference and disciplinary action (suspension)
- 3rd offense: Grade reductions or other academic sanctions, as permitted by Policy EIA (LOCAL).
- 4th offense: School-defined and school-administered probation.
Resources:
IB Academic Integrity Policy Academic integrity (ibo.org)
SAISD District Parent - Student Handbook 2023-24ParentStudentHandbookWEBPUB.pdf (saisd.net)