Plagiarism is defined here at ASMSA according to the following information found in the ASMSA Student Handbook:
PLAGIARISM (Form of Academic Dishonesty) - using another’s ideas, words, or written work
without giving appropriate credit by parenthetically citing the source from which it came and/or without acknowledging direct quotations from other thinkers. In general, using more than three consecutive words from a source requires that the student place the words within quotation marks (“…”) and provide the appropriate citation. Summaries and paraphrases (wherein the language and sentence structures of the original work have been significantly modified) also require parenthetical citations.
Policy on Academic Honesty:
E. Academic Honesty.
1. Academic honesty and integrity are principles upon which an academic community is based. Students are expected to do their own work and give credit to the originator of the ideas when using the thought or work of others. Students should understand what style of assignment is acceptable to teachers and should be aware of the conditions under which collaboration is allowed.
2. By virtue of being accepted into ASMSA and by having signed the Handbook/Honor Code Acceptance Form, every student agrees to abide by the Honor Code. Examples of Honor Code violations include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, stealing (academic or otherwise) property belonging to the school or another student, cheating, and failing to present the truth when asked by a staff member. (See the Glossary, pg 51-53, for definitions of plagiarism, academic stealing, and cheating.)
3. A teacher or staff member who suspects a student of academic dishonesty will discuss the situation with the student and the Dean of Academic Affairs. A decision will be made based upon the discussion and the evidence as to whether academic dishonesty has occurred. Disciplinary action for violations of the academic honesty policy can be found on page 47.
Definitions from Glossary & Terms Section Relating to Plagiarism in the Student Handbook:
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY- allowing another student to look on or copy his/her work, whether verbally, written, or electronically, shall be deemed to be cheating. This includes possession of a "cheat sheet,” looking on or copying another student's work, using any unauthorized device to acquire correct responses, or otherwise gaining an unfair advantage over other students.
ACADEMIC STEALING (Form of Academic Dishonesty) - behavior that violates the integrity of an assignment, such as but not limited to, knowingly submitting another’s work as one’s own; copying from another person’s paper; or changing material on a graded assignment/test, then requesting a regrading.
CHEATING (Form of Academic Dishonesty) - consulting an exam, homework or a project at an unauthorized time and/or in an unauthorized place and/or in an unauthorized manner (see academic dishonesty).
PLAGIARISM (Form of Academic Dishonesty) - using another’s ideas, words, or written work without giving appropriate credit by parenthetically citing the source from which it came and/or without acknowledging direct quotations from other thinkers. In general, using more than three consecutive words from a source requires that the student place the words within quotation marks (“…”) and provide the appropriate citation. Summaries and paraphrases (wherein the language and sentence structures of the original work have been significantly modified) also require parenthetical citations.
Actions to Be Taken in Response to Academic Dishonesty:
G. Academic Dishonesty. Incidents of academic dishonesty will be investigated in accordance with Section III.F. If the student is deemed guilty, the following disciplinary actions will be taken:
1. 1st Offense.
a. The student will receive a grade of zero (0) on any document containing false information (e.g., lab reports, homework assignments, etc.)
b. His/her parents will be notified of the Honor Code violation.
c. The student will receive a Level 2 violation.
2. 2nd Offense.
a. The student will receive a grade of zero (0) on any document containing false information.
b. His/her parents will be notified of the Honor Code violation.
c. The student will be placed on academic probation and Honor Code probation.
d. The student will be ineligible for the privilege system for the remainder of the semester (for a minimum of nine weeks).
e. The student will receive a Level 3 violation.
3. 3rd Offense.
a. The student will receive a grade of zero (0) on any document containing false information.
b. His/her parents will be notified of the Honor Code and academic probation violations.
c. The student will be withdrawn from ASMSA by the Dean of Academic Affairs.
4. ANY Offense Involving FIRM and Related Assignments.
a. The student will receive a grade of zero (0) on the work itself and any work that depends upon that work (e.g., if the student falsifies data for science fair, this would also result in a zero (0) for the discussion, conclusion, implications, backboard, and abstract.) It is important to note that this may affect a student’s grade to the point that he/she will be withdrawn academically from ASMSA.
b. His/her parents will be notified of the Honor Code violation.
c. The student will be placed on academic probation and Honor Code probation.
d. The student will not be allowed to sign out for 30 calendar days.
e. The student will receive a minimum of one (1) Level 2 violation.
5. The Dean of Academic Affairs shall decide on all cases of academic dishonesty, including the decision to withdraw a student academically. The student may appeal the Dean’s decision in writing to the Director within five (5) calendar days.
THE ASMSA HONOR CODE
An honorable person does not lie, cheat, or steal, and does not tolerate such conduct by others.
I am honor bound to refrain from conduct that would make me less than an honorable person.
I am honor bound to report violations of the Honor Code committed by others or myself.
My signature on any ASMSA document, including schoolwork, represents my affirmation of the Honor Code.
I understand and agree that my attendance at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts is a privilege, not a right, that is conditioned upon my being an honorable person, and that any direct violation of the Honor Code may result in mybeing required to leave ASMSA.
Readings on Plagiarism
"'Patchwriting' is more common than plagiarism, just as dishonest" by Kelly McBride, in Poynter (ps. 'patchwriting' has now come to be considered a form of plagiarism at many universities and at ASMSA)