Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty such as use cheating, plagiarizing, paying for homework, or other actions deemed to be inappropriate are not permitted and will warrant disciplinary action.

Cheating

Examples of cheating include:

  1. Copying from another student’s test paper, assignment, or project,

  2. Allowing another student to copy from a test paper, assignment, or project,

  3. Using the course textbook or other material such as a notebook brought to a class meeting but not authorized for use during a test,

  4. Collaborating during a test with any other person by giving or receiving information without authorization,

  5. Using specifically prepared materials during a test, e.g., notes, formula lists, notes written on the student’s clothing, etc.,

  6. Taking a test for another student or allowing someone else to take a test for you.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the unacknowledged inclusion of someone else’s words, ideas, or data as one’s own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific footnote references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. By placing his/her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments.

For Stillwater Pioneer Virtual Academy students, all writing assignments are checked for plagiarism with Edgenuity’s plagiarism checker. Students that have committed plagiarism will receive a 0 on that assignment. Students do have the option of redoing that assignment one time if they choose. If the assignment comes back plagiarized after the redo then the grade of 0 is permanent.

A student will avoid being charged with plagiarism if proper credit is given:

  1. Whenever one quotes another person’s actual words;

  2. Wherever one uses another person’s idea, opinion, or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in one’s own words; or

  3. Whenever one borrows facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials unless the information is common knowledge.

Disciplinary Action

When a student is suspected of academic dishonesty:

  1. The student will be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation.

  2. Students found to be cheating will receive a “zero” for the test or assignment.

  3. Physical evidence of cheating and/or documentation of a student/teacher conference regarding cheating is filed with the principal. Documentation is placed in a locked file in the main office.

  4. The teacher administers the punishment that is deemed appropriate.

  5. The parent will be notified.

Repeated Cheating

The second instance of cheating will require that a checklist of behaviors be sent to each teacher to help determine if this is a general or a particular problem, and then a conference will be held with the student and his/her parents. Consequences of further cheating will be explained to the student and parents.

The third instance of cheating in the same class will result in the student being dropped from the class and given an “F” in the course after the parents are notified.

Updates, Changes, or ClarificationPlease submit any updates, changes, reports of incorrect information or requests for clarification to bfuxa@stillwaterschools.com.