ROSEMEAD HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

The purpose of the Rosemead High School Academic Integrity Policy is to encourage students to develop real standards of behavior that will equip them to succeed in life beyond high school.  By developing honest, responsible students, this policy hopes to foster skills that will help students avoid the consequences associated with cheating and plagiarism in life.

 Definition of Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is defined as behavior that is consistent with moral and ethical academic standards. Such conduct as completing work independently and on time, proper documentation of research in reports, paying attention in class, working cooperatively within a group, refraining from copying other people’s ideas and work, or discouraging others from engaging in this type of behavior are all examples of academic integrity.

 Definition of Academic Dishonesty

Academic Dishonesty is defined as behavior that is not consistent with moral and ethical academic standards. Such conduct as plagiarism, cheating or copying the work of another, using technology for illicit or illegal purposes, or any unauthorized communication between students to gain an advantage during an examination are all examples of academic dishonesty.

 Specific Forms of Academic Dishonesty include:

• Looking at someone else’s work product, or knowingly allowing someone else to look at one’s work product during an exam, test, or quiz.
• Using any “cheat notes” during an exam, test, or quiz.
• Having access to or using stolen exams, tests, or quizzes.
• Providing or selling exam, test, or quiz information to other students.
• Using an electronic device to give or receive or copy information before, during, or after an exam, test or quiz.
• Collaborating on an exam, test, quiz, or assignment with any other person without prior approval from the teacher.
• Claiming credit for work in a group project when others did work.
• Fabricating or altering laboratory data.
• Accessing and/or using copyrighted test bank questions or any materials designed for teacher use only.
• Attempting to misrepresent the authorship of student work. (i.e., having someone else write a paper.
• Copying or closely paraphrasing sentences, phrases, or passages from the uncited source while writing a paper or doing research.
• Using views, opinions, or insights of others without proper acknowledgment.

 Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is to commit LITERARY THEFT; to steal and pass off as your ideas or words, the words and ideas of another, without giving the original author credit. When you use someone else’s words or ideas, you must give them credit by citing the source within your writing. Even if you revise or paraphrase the words or ideas of someone else, you must still give the original person credit through a citation. Failure to properly cite sources is considered plagiarism and will not be tolerated at Rosemead High School.

Teacher’s Judgment

A teacher’s professional judgment guides the RHS Academic Integrity Policy. The teacher is responsible for setting the academic expectations, explaining the consequences of the Policy, evaluating any evidence of student misconduct in light of the Policy, and determining whether the Policy has been violated. Students are to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and not give the teacher cause to consider their actions as a violation of the RHS Academic Integrity Policy.

 Student Appeal Process

Students wishing to contest decisions resulting from the administration of the RHS Academic Integrity Policy may submit their appeals in writing to the principal. The principal will then create an appeal panel to include one teacher, one student, one counselor, and one staff member. This panel will review the appeal to determine its merits and validity. Once this review is complete, the committee will vote on the outcome of the request. A majority vote will decide whether consequences will be taken or if the appeal is upheld.