ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (HS)

Academic Integrity Policy at AIS West

Purpose

Academic integrity ensures that every student’s achievements reflect their own effort and learning. AIS West requires honesty, accountability, and ethical behavior in all coursework. Dishonesty in any form undermines education, fairness, and trust. This policy defines academic dishonesty, regulates the ethical use of technology (including Artificial Intelligence), and establishes clear consequences.

Academic Dishonesty Defined

The following actions are violations of academic integrity. This list is not all-inclusive; Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage in academic work will be considered a violation of this policy.

1. Cheating

• Using unauthorized materials (notes, devices, websites, AI tools) during tests or assignments

• Copying from another student or allowing others to copy

• Receiving unauthorized help on assignments, quizzes, projects, or exams

2. Plagiarism

• Presenting another person’s or AI’s words, ideas, images, data, or creative work as one’s own

• Failing to cite or acknowledge sources, including AI outputs

• Paraphrasing or rewording content without attribution

• For IB courses, the threshold is 15% and for AD courses, it is 25%

3. Unauthorized Use of AI Tools and Technology

• AI use is permitted only when a teacher provides explicit permission and guidance for a specific assignment. When unsure, ask

• Any use of AI tools whether for brainstorming, outlining, generating text, solving problems, creating images, or editing must be acknowledged in writing

• Students remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and ethical use of any AI-assisted work

• Any use of AI tools without clear teacher authorization will be considered academic dishonesty

4. Fabrication & Falsification

• Inventing, altering, or misrepresenting data, sources, or citations

• Forging signatures, documents, or academic records
  
  

5. Self-Plagiarism

• Submitting work, even one’s own from a prior course or assignment, without teacher approval
  
  

6. Academic Theft & Unauthorized Access

• Stealing, photographing, sharing, or circulating exam or assignment materials.

• Accessing, altering, or destroying school academic files or records

Responsibilities

Teachers: Define expectations for assignments, including acceptable resources and AI use. Maintain consistent enforcement of this policy.

Students: Submit work that reflects their own effort and acknowledge all sources, including AI. Seek clarification when unsure about what is permitted.

Students are responsible for understanding the instructor's expectations regarding AI use in each course.

• Students are responsible for the content and originality of their work, even when using AI tools.

Parents/Guardians: Reinforce the importance of honesty and integrity.

Administrators: Ensure violations are recorded and consequences are applied fairly.

Consequences of Violations

Violations of this policy are serious and cumulative throughout a student’s high school career.

First Offense

• Zero credit on the assignment/assessment

• Parent/guardian notification

• Notation in academic record in PowerSchool (not college transcript, but internal record)

Second Offense

• Zero credit on assignment/assessment

• Parent/guardian meeting

• Academic Probation

  • Suspension from extracurricular leadership roles, honor societies, or privileges

Third Offense or Severe Violations

• Suspension or expulsion from extracurricular activities.

• Possible suspension or expulsion from school for severe acts (e.g., stealing or distributing exams or repeated dishonesty).

Implementation

This policy will be disseminated to all faculty, students, and staff through the school website, academic handbook, and relevant training sessions. Faculty will be using Google Doc Plagiarism or Turnitin for detecting AI-generated content in student work.

Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect evolving technologies and best practices.

Conclusion

By promoting responsible AI use, this policy fosters a learning environment that prioritizes intellectual integrity,  human intelligence, critical thinking skills, and student ownership of their academic work.

Student Name: _____________________________________ Graduating Year: ___________