St. Joseph High School

Academic Integrity Policy

Mission Statement 

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience,

desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

HEBREWS 13:18 NASB

In keeping with the mission of St. Joseph High School, embracing a commitment to Gospel values, family and community, to help our community realize its potential, succeed in higher education, and provide a foundation and guide for life, we advocate and expect a high standard of ethical behavior, scholarship, academic honesty, and integrity. No form of pressure or temptation justifies academic, social, or moral misconduct. St. Joseph High School strives to develop responsible citizens of school, family, community, and society, and to instill the knowledge and practice of appropriate behavior to accomplish these goals. Respecting, practicing, and upholding these values are the responsibility of all members of the community, students, faculty and staff, parents or guardians.

The principles of academic integrity are a cornerstone upon which our community rests. They are at the heart of the intellectual integrity of the school. In order to maintain academic integrity, St. Joseph High School requires that all work be entirely the result of one’s own effort. Plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form or in any degree. All members of the community are responsible for the integrity and honesty of their work.

This mission statement was compiled using resources from Information Power from the American Library Association, and the honor and integrity statements from Choate Rosemary Hall, Wheaton College, and Sacred Heart University.

No legacy is so rich as honesty.

William Shakespeare

1564-1616

“All’s Well That Ends Well,” Act 3, scene 5

To Our Students:

What is Academic Integrity?

Having integrity means to be honest, to work hard, not to cheat or “cut corners,” whether it is in your studies (academic integrity), or playing sports, being with your friends or family---in life. Someone once described integrity as beginning with...“when you’re all alone...and look in the mirror...you are honest about who you are and what you see.” Integrity means you take responsibility for your actions whatever you choose, even if the choice is wrong. Integrity ultimately means you are honest to God about yourself, who you are, your strengths and weaknesses, and you strive to be honest in all of your endeavors.

At St. Joseph High School, academic integrity means you are honest in your academic life and protect the honesty of your academic work and the academic work of others. Academic Integrity also means that you do not help another in any way to “cheat” in their effort to complete their work. It is our hope that after you carefully read the section on violations, you will have a better understanding of the scope and depth of academic integrity.

Why Is Academic Integrity Important?

What you do matters. More importantly, who you are matters. Your character is revealed, in part, by the choices you make, the acts you commit, and how you handle the consequences of your actions. At St. Joseph High School, we are not only committed to helping you learn the material in a particular course, but also in helping you make the best choices in your learning and in life.

When you are confused about what to do or how to complete an assignment, teachers expect that you will ask for help rather than cheat or copy another’s homework. Even though this is a small example, it is at the heart of why academic integrity is important. In this way, you put forth your best effort, and maintain an honest relationship with yourself, your classmates, and your teacher. Your character and integrity will grow and deepen.

Everyone Cheats---Why Shouldn’t I?

Not everyone cheats. You might think this is the case, but at St. Joseph High School the vast majority of students take pride in their work and earn their grades with honesty and integrity. Just because another commits a wrong act, and does not get caught, the act is not okay or morally justifiable. In the end, no one may ever know that you cheated, but you will, and God does. You are responsible and accountable for your choices and actions.

Why is being honest the right thing to do and the right way to live?

At St. Joseph High School, we believe that being honest is being true to oneself, others, and God. Having integrity earns you the respect of your family and friends. Being honest earns you the respect of your employers and colleagues. As you prepare for college, learning how to protect your academic integrity is essential. Colleges and universities respond to academic misconduct in a number of ways ranging from disciplinary probation, suspension, to expulsion. For example, USA Today reported on July 20, 2006, that the starting quarterback at Duke University was suspended for the season and from the university for one year due to plagiarism.

In the workplace, employers expect that an employee will be honest in his or her responsibilities--whether he or she is an accountant in charge of a company’s records, or a manager in charge of a company’s inventory. There are many recent examples reported in the media of persons who have been dishonest in business and have gotten into legal trouble. Being honest is the right thing to do and the right way to live.

What happens if a violation occurs?

If you violate the Academic Integrity Policy of St. Joseph High School, you will be held responsible and accountable for your actions. This policy outlines the possible consequences for violations. It is our expectation that you never put yourself in a situation where you compromise your integrity or that of another.

Research papers and projects as a course requirement:

Some research papers and projects may be designated as a course requirement. To be eligible to pass the course, the student must complete the assignment. If this assignment is plagiarized or compromised, the student receives a zero for the assignment. In addition, the student must redo the assignment to satisfy the requirement of the course. However, the initial grade of zero for the assignment will not be changed. In this situation, if a student fails to resubmit and successfully complete the research paper or project within ten school days of the completion of the course, the student may fail the course with a grade of 55 regardless of other grades.

Doing well in School:

• Take responsibility for your learning. Being a successful student begins with you.
• Do well through hard work. There are no “short cuts” to doing well in your studies. Consistent and sustained effort over the course of the school year will help you develop self-discipline and improved study habits.
• Know yourself as a learner. Every student has strengths and weaknesses. Know what you do well and work on the areas you need to improve. For example, reading may be a strength and writing may be difficult for you. Seek help in the areas you need to strengthen.
• Ask for help when you are confused about a class or an assignment. Teachers want you to be successful.
• Set your priorities and manage your time. Your schoolwork comes first. Realize that you can not do everything and you will have to make important choices about how you spend your time outside of the school day.
• Organize your assignments. What do you need to do? When do you need to do it by? Using your student planner will help you map your assignments in each class. By charting when your assignments are due, you can better manage your time.

Have fun!!! Learning is fun and rewarding.

It is our hope that you are successful at St. Joseph High School and well prepared to continue your studies at institutions of higher learning. Most importantly, we expect you to live with honesty and integrity.

easy Writer

A Pocket Reference

by Andrea A. Lunsford

St. Joseph High School uses the easy Writer, a Pocket Reference, as a guide to improving writing and research. This reference guide is an important tool for students and teachers alike. Together, we agree to the formats used in writing and research. Departure from the formats referenced in the style guide is at the discretion of the teacher and will be communicated to the student as such.

The easy Writer reference guide has many helpful tips for students. This guide addresses the essential areas of effective writing and research: writing, sentence grammar, sentence style, punctuation/mechanics, language, multilingual writers, research, and documentation. Students at St. Joseph High School are expected to regularly refer to the style guide to assist in proper format and citation.

The following sections are of particular importance to a student as he or she documents his or her research. Specific examples are given in the style guide.

Research—please refer to the following sections in your easy Writer

• “Materials that do not require acknowledgement”
• “Materials that do require acknowledgement”
• “Avoiding plagiarism”

Documentation (Ask your teacher which format he or she prefers)

Modern Language Association (MLA)

• MLA manuscript format
• In-text citations
• List of works cited

American Psychological Association (APA)

• APA manuscript format
• In-text citations
• List of references

Chicago Style (CHI)

• Chicago manuscript format
• footnotes, endnotes, and bibliography

Council of Science Editors (CSE)

• CSE manuscript format
• In-text references
• List of References

Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy

We have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God, but by the open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:2 NAB

Academic integrity violations encompass any act that compromises or subverts the integrity of the educational or research process. These offenses include, but are not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, academic misconduct, misrepresentation, and facilitation.

Any violation of academic integrity will result in a zero on the particular piece of work, notification to parents, and possible suspension or dismissal from school. For further information refer to the section on “Consequences for Violations.”

Cheating: The intent to, an attempted act, or an act by which a student deceives, acts dishonestly, or misrepresents work that he/she has or will produce on an academic exercise or assists another to misrepresent his/her work. The range of cheating extends from homework to exams, projects, papers, etc. Examples of cheating include but are not limited to:

• Attempting to or copying from others;
• Communicating or attempting to communicate answers, hints, or suggestions during an examination;
• Using unauthorized materials to complete an exam or assignment;
• Programming of notes, formulas, or other aids into a electronic device without prior authorization;
• Using a communication device such as a cell phone, pager, PDA, or electronic translator to obtain unauthorized information during an exam;
• Submitting portions of the same academic work for credit in more than one course without consulting the second teacher.

Fabrication: The use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings. Examples of fabrication include but are not limited to:

• Submitting as one’s own any academic exercises prepared totally or in part by another;
• Citing information not taken from the source indicated. This may include incorrect documentation of secondary source materials; e.g., using the bibliographic information from a source instead of going to the original source;
• Listing sources in a bibliography not used in the academic exercise;
• Submitting fictitious information in a paper or other academic exercise.

Plagiarism: The inclusion of another’s words, ideas, or data as one’s own work. This covers unpublished as well as published sources. Examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to:

• Quoting another person’s words, sentences, paragraphs, or entire work without acknowledgment of the source;
• Utilizing another person’s ideas, opinions, or theory without acknowledgment of the source;
• Failing to cite the words, pictures, music, video, or other forms of communication in research projects;
• Copying and pasting from an online source and submitting it as one’s own work;
• Paraphrasing source material without citations.

Academic Misconduct: Any academically dishonest act or assistance to another student in the commission of these acts. Examples of academic misconduct include but are not limited to:

• Giving another information or selling all or part of an exam, including answers; e.g., telling someone in the 10:30 a.m. exam period what was on the 8:00 a.m. class exam;
• Bribing another to obtain an assessment, paper, or assignment;
• Copying, distributing and/or receiving any portion of an assessment;
• Continuing to work on an assessment after the specified allotted time has elapsed without explicit permission from the teacher;
• Changing or helping another to change a grade or an answer on a test, assignment, or project;
• Fabricating an excuse to obtain an extension on a deadline for a test, assignment or project;
• Committing any action that compromises the integrity of an assessment or assignment, including stealing, attempting to steal, or buying an examination or answer key;
• Failing to be fully cooperative and truthful if one has direct knowledge of an alleged violation of academic integrity.
• Any attempt or assistance to another to access a teacher’s materials without authorization; teacher’s manuals, Edline, gradequick, gradebooks, etc.
• Any action that breaches the academic security of a teacher or student.

Misrepresentation: Misrepresentation refers to any situation in which a student presents or intends to present as his or her own work any assignment prepared by another person or individual. Examples of misrepresentation include but are not limited to:

• Collaborating on a test, quiz, homework assignment, or project with others without authorization from the teacher;
• Allowing others to do research or writing of an assignment; e.g.,

a. Using the services of a commercial term paper company,

b. Using the services of another person (family member, tutor, etc.) inappropriately, without authorization;

• The act of copying homework or any portion thereof regardless if it has been turned in;
• Copying work and submitting it as one’s own;
• Claiming to have fulfilled the roles and responsibilities accepted on a group project;
• Turning in another person’s project as one’s own.

Facilitation: Facilitation refers to knowingly or intentionally assisting any person in the commission of an academic integrity violation. Students who engage in facilitation are also subject to disciplinary action for integrity violations. Examples of facilitation include but are not limited to:

• Giving another student one’s assignment or paper (or portion thereof);
• Giving another student answers to a test or assignment;
• Letting another student copy one’s answers during an examination;
• Creating unfair opportunities for students in other sections of a class by communicating or giving any test (or assignment) information, questions, or answers to students in another class, or other sections of the same class; this gives students in later sections an unfair advantage.

St. Joseph High School acknowledges Woodside High School in Woodside, CA, Staples High School in Westport, CT, DuPont High School in Greenville, DE, and Quinnipiac University whose Academic Integrity Policies were helpful resources in the creation of this section.

Consequences for Violations

 Academic Integrity File

• The Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs or his or her designee will maintain (and control access to this file).
• The cumulative file will include any violations over the course of a student’s career at St. Joseph High School.
• If a student is being considered for some type of award or honor, the nominating/sponsoring party may inquire as to integrity issues regarding specific student candidates. In this case, details may be shared. Academic integrity violations do not automatically disqualify a student from possible awards or distinctions.

Academic Integrity review:

May be convened if:

• The student denies the charge.
• The infraction involves several students and the teacher does not have the capacity to perform a comprehensive investigation.
• The situation warrants a broader investigation of the charge.
• The student is charged with a second offense.

Violations may be handled as follows:

The staff member determines if the student has committed a violation. The staff member’s professional judgment will determine if a student has committed a violation however, there must be evidence whenever possible. In addition, “it is the responsibility of the student to avoid any action or situation that may cause another to believe this policy has been violated” http://www.woodside hs.org/acadintegpoli.htm.

Consequences for 1st offense

• Student receives a zero on the assignment or assessment. Quarter average or grade is determined factoring in the zero. If the infraction occurs on an AP exam, a zero will be factored in for the final exam grade and the final average for the course will be determined.
• Teacher notifies the student, parent, and also the subject department chair that a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy has occurred. Student and parent acknowledge notification.
• Teacher and/or the department chair notify the Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs and provide whatever data/material they have regarding the incident. The Assistant Principal makes a notation regarding the incident in the Academic Integrity file. The Assistant Principal may initiate a conference with the parent and student.
• Student is disqualified from the honor roll for the quarter when the offense occurs, regardless of overall average.
• Depending on the gravity of the infraction, an “Accountability Board” may be convened.”

 Possible consequences for 2nd offense:

• Convene an Academic Integrity review. Possible consequences to be determined by the committee may include but are not limited to:
• The student’s quarter grade for the specific course in question would be the lower of: a) the student’s actual grade average for the quarter with the zero averaged in, or b) 55.
• Suspension and/or removal from the course and given a “55” for the final course grade.
• Suspension from school (including extra-curricular activities).

 A conference may be held with the student and parent to discuss further sanctions. Any further violations may result in the convening of an “Accountability Board,” the possible outcome may be dismissal from St. Joseph High School.

Possible consequences for 3rd offense:

Convening of an “Accountability Board,” with a possible outcome of dismissal from St. Joseph High School.

St. Joseph High School acknowledges Staples High School in Westport, CT as a resource for this section.