Academic Honesty

DEFINITION OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

The Las Virgenes Unified School District values academic integrity and will not allow any forms of dishonesty or deception that unfairly, improperly or illegally enhances a grade on an individual assignment or a course grade.  The District recognizes that students are more inclined to cheat when there is little likelihood of getting caught.  Each school shall provide an environment that encourages honesty.  Students must know that their teachers will not ignore or condone cheating and that anyone discovered cheating will be penalized.  (Board Policy 5131.9)  Disciplinary consequences for academic dishonesty will be determined by individual school sites.  The following is a list of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty.  We are aware, however, that new methods of cheating, plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty may arise and therefore, we expect every student to interpret the requirement of academic honesty and integrity broadly and in good faith.  If you have any doubt as to whether a particular act constitutes academic dishonesty, ask a teacher before you do it!

Cheating on Exams

1. Copying from others.
2. Having or using notes, formulas or other electronic devices without explicit teacher review and permission.

1. Having or using a communication device such as a cell phone, pager, PDA, or electronic translator to send or obtain unauthorized information.

1. Taking an exam for another student, and/or permitting someone else to take a test for you.

1. Asking someone to give you improper assistance, including offering money or other benefits.

1. Asking for or accepting money or any other benefit in return for giving someone improper assistance.

1. Providing or receiving information about all or part of an exam, including answers (e.g., telling someone in a subsequent period what was on your exam, or being told this information).

1. Having or using a “cheat sheet” (a piece of paper with answers, formulas, information, or notes of any kind) that is not specifically authorized by the teacher.

1. Altering a graded exam and resubmitting it for a better grade.

1. Working together on a take-home exam, unless specifically authorized by the teacher.

1. Gaining or providing unauthorized access to examination materials.

   Notes: (l) Simply having possession during an exam of any prohibited or unauthorized information or device, whether or not it is actually used, is an act of academic dishonesty and will be dealt with as such.  (2) Attempted academic dishonesty, even if unsuccessful, will be treated as academic dishonesty.

Plagiarism in Papers and Assignments

1. Giving or getting improper assistance on an assignment meant to be individual work. (When in doubt, ask.)

1. Including in any assignment turned in for credit any materials not based on your own research and writing.  This includes:

1. Using the services of a commercial term paper company.
2. Using the services of another student.
3. Copying part or all of another person’s paper and submitting it as your own for an assignment.
4. Acting as a provider of paper(s) for another student or students.

1. Submitting substantial portions of the same academic work for credit in more than one course without consulting both teachers (self-plagiarism).

1. Failing to use quotation marks where appropriate.

1. Failing to properly acknowledge paraphrased materials via textual attribution, footnotes, endnotes and/or a bibliography.

1. Making up data for an experiment.
2. Citing nonexistent sources (articles, books, etc.).

1. Misrepresenting your academic accomplishments, such as by tampering with computer records.

1. Deceiving a teacher or making up a false reason or excuse to get special consideration on an exam or an extension for an exam or paper.

1. Failing to promptly stop work on an exam when the time allocated has elapsed.
2. Forging a signature.