Philosophy on Academic Honesty for All Carson Graham Students 

Vast amounts of information are widely and freely available from a variety of sources. Students must learn how to collect and then assemble or collate this information to produce original thought. Simply copying information from any source robs a student of valuable learning opportunities.

Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses and will not be tolerated at Carson Graham. Academic misconduct undermines the learning environment. Cheating and plagiarism do not reflect the high standards of character, citizenship, and integrity so highly valued at Carson and reflected in our school’s mission statement.

Definitions

Cheating: An act or attempt at fraud or deceit where a student uses another source’s work to gain academic advantage.

Plagiarism: The presentation of another source’s ideas or work (in whole or in part) as one’s own.

The following list contains examples of what cheating and plagiarism look like:

1. Copying information from a book, the internet or other source without documenting the source.

2. Summarizing or paraphrasing from a source, but not documenting or footnoting that source.

3. Submitting work (i.e. assignments, homework, ideas or other material) that was purchased or acquired from another source as your own.

4. Knowingly sharing one’s own work with another student to copy without teacher approval.

5. Knowingly submitting identical or copied assignments without permission of the teacher.

6. Submitting the same essay, presentation or assignment more than once (whether the earlier submission was at Carson Graham or elsewhere), without teacher approval.

7. Obtaining all or part of a test prior to the test*.

8. Attempting to write a test* using unauthorized verbal, written or visual communication. This also includes having in one’s immediate possession any materials other than those allowed by the subject teacher.

9. Altering or changing test* answers after submitting the test* for grading or, where applicable, after the test* has been reviewed in class.

10. Aiding another in any of the above.

* “test” denotes quiz, written or practical/oral test or exam.

Consequences

Students must realize that the above are ALL serious breaches in trust, and constitute fraud. Ignorance of the academic standards related to cheating and plagiarism is not an excuse for academic dishonesty. Minimum consequences may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. A zero grade for the assignment or test in question; no make up work will be assigned.

2. Contact with parents/guardians.

3. A record in the student’s incident file.

Repeat offenses involving cheating or plagiarism will result in more severe consequences: these may include suspension from the class, suspension from school or withdrawal from the course until the next school year. Students may also be precluded from receiving recognition for good citizenship (Service Award) or high academic standing (Honour roll or Passport to Education stamps). Exclusion from extra-curricular activities, such as dances, sports activities or other school-sanctioned events which demand social integrity may also be considered.

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Cheating and Plagiarism - Procedures

Procedure if cheating or plagiarism is suspected:

1. The teacher will talk to the student privately to determine if cheating or plagiarism occurred.

2. If cheating or plagiarism is confirmed, the teacher is strongly encouraged to involve the grade counsellor if the student is in Grades 8-10. The counsellor will work with the student, but is not expected to be involved in discipline. Referral to the Grade counsellor if the student is in Grade 11-12 is also encouraged.

3. The teacher will determine an appropriate consequence and explain it to the student in person and in private. The teacher will also inform a parent of the incident and consequences.

4. The teacher will fill out a Discipline Report and submit it to the office for entry into BCeSIS.

Note: Once Step 1 has been completed, and depending on the severity of the issue, the teacher may choose to involve the appropriate grade counsellor or administrator.

Do you print from the Internet???

Learn about it and about the tools available to students who want to maintain their academic honesty.

Academic Honesty Tutorial