Mural, Mike Fudge, Denver, 2017
Clarification of BHS Standards of Academic Honesty
We at BHS believe that people learn more effectively and build strength of character by doing their own reading, writing, test taking, research, and assignments. Students gain the most from their education by evaluating, reflecting on, and revising their own work. We also recognize that students frequently work with others as part of a group project or to seek help, and that sometimes what constitutes cheating or plagiarism can be confusing. This clarification of cheating and plagiarism is designed to prevent students from damaging their credibility, their academic record, and their future prospects. It is also intended to support your progress as a learner. Our expectation is that students maintain individual accountability without misrepresenting their work and integrity. Brookline High School has a strong policy to address cheating and plagiarism, as described in the handbook. These pages clarify that policy, provides examples and includes a pledge to uphold that policy that students are asked to sign at the end.
Consequences for infractions in academic integrity (i.e. cheating and plagiarism) are described in Rule 1.3 in the The Handbook of BHS, No Academic Dishonesty.
Academic dishonesty in Social Studies learning environments:
The following are examples of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism in relation to learning in BHS Social Studies classes and is not exhaustive. Social Studies teachers may add to or elaborate on these rules for specific assignments.
CONSEQUENCES AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING A VIOLATION OF THE HONOR CODE
Offense #1: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting may be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student receives zero for assignment. Letter goes in student's permanent file. Student may redo the assignment for up to 50% credit.
Offense #2: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting may be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student receives zero for assignment; and another zero, equal to the value of the assignment on which there was cheating, is averaged into the quarter grade. Letter goes in student's permanent file.
Offense #3: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting will be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student fails the quarter for the course in which the offense took place. Letter goes in student's permanent file. All subsequent offenses receive the punishment described under Offense #3. In addition, coaches, advisors and others who supervise a student in extra-curricular activities outside of the school may be notified, and consequences will be up to their discretion.
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Consequences for infractions in academic integrity (i.e. cheating and plagiarism) are described in Rule 1.3 in the The Handbook of BHS, No Academic Dishonesty.
Academic dishonesty in Social Studies learning environments:
The following are examples of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism in relation to learning in BHS Social Studies classes and is not exhaustive. Social Studies teachers may add to or elaborate on these rules for specific assignments.
- Copying someone else’s homework OR allowing someone else to copy your homework or classwork.
- Taking images or information about an assessment for later or shared use, without explicit permission from your teacher.
- Using resources that are not permitted on an assessment. For example:
- Using notes on assessments that are not intended to be open-notes
- Using other internet browser tabs while working on a computer-based assessment
- Using applications/websites such as ChatGPT, similar AI, or on-line forums to complete any assignment, without explicit permission from the teacher
- Giving copies of any course materials to students who have not taken the course
- Taking course materials from students who have already completed the course
- Using exact language, paraphrasing and/or rewording from another source without proper acknowledgement (such as quotation marks and citation). Students should be aware that even unintentional use of others' language may result in an accusation of plagiarism. This rule holds for any draft or outline of a writing assignment, from first to final, if it is submitted for a grade.
- Citing nonexistent sources such as articles and books or inventing results for an experiment.
- Submitting portions of the same academic work for credit in more than one course without consulting both teachers.
- Deceiving with a false reason or excuse, forging a signature or falsely reporting an absence or tardy to get an extension on an exam, paper or assignment.
- Speaking with a student about a test or a quiz who has already taken it or providing information to a student who has not yet taken it
CONSEQUENCES AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING A VIOLATION OF THE HONOR CODE
Offense #1: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting may be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student receives zero for assignment. Letter goes in student's permanent file. Student may redo the assignment for up to 50% credit.
Offense #2: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting may be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student receives zero for assignment; and another zero, equal to the value of the assignment on which there was cheating, is averaged into the quarter grade. Letter goes in student's permanent file.
Offense #3: Teacher informs student of offense, privately if possible. Parents are notified and a meeting will be held with any of the following people: teacher, student, parent, administrator, counselor, and department chair. Student fails the quarter for the course in which the offense took place. Letter goes in student's permanent file. All subsequent offenses receive the punishment described under Offense #3. In addition, coaches, advisors and others who supervise a student in extra-curricular activities outside of the school may be notified, and consequences will be up to their discretion.
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