Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity at BIS HCMC

Principles

Integrity is one of the fundamental characteristics we value as a school. To support the development of knowledge and understanding of academic integrity, students at BIS are provided with education and support in a number of ways. From a young age, students are taught the concept of referencing, and explicitly taught the skills of referencing by their teachers. They are given opportunities to practise these skills throughout the Key Stages. In Year 12, students take a short course in research, referencing and academic writing during their IBDP Core lessons to prepare them for longer pieces of academic writing such as the Extended Essay. They are also offered individual support, if requested, by the Sixth Form Team, the librarian and the Academic English department. Students and teachers have access to students' Google Docs and Turnitin reports to check for issues of academic misconduct during the writing process.

The librarian is a valuable source of guidance for both teachers and students regarding issues of academic integrity and is available to assist individual students with their referencing, to provide in-class support during project work, to provide technical guidance for the use of Turnitin, and support the research process and use of the BIS referencing guides (see here and here) .  For examples and further guidance, see here.

In the case of academic misconduct, students will be offered optional or mandatory support sessions depending on the nature of the incident. These may include education about misconduct, support with finding and keeping track of sources, ethical use of AI, or exercises to develop their ability to paraphrase effectively and to appropriately structure their extended writing.

All issues of academic integrity will be dealt with in line with the age-specific guidance below. All cases of academic misconduct will be logged. This record will allow relevant teachers to monitor individual students over a period of time.

Monitoring and Consequences

All students are well-supported to display academic integrity at all times, and are well-aware of the consequences should they not demonstrate this. These consequences will depend on the year group of the student, their history as regards to academic integrity, and the context in which the incident has occurred. 

The Behaviour for Learning policy will be followed at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Cases of academic misconduct in Key Stage 4 and the Sixth Form can have severe consequences, including failure of IGCSEs and the IB Diploma. As such, all incidences of academic misconduct are taken seriously. In all cases at IB, the IBDPC must be informed. There are four levels of consequences depending on the nature of the piece of work.

Consequences and support for issues of academic misconduct are outlined for Key Stage 3 and 4 here and during the IBDP here.

If a student is suspected of a breach of academic integrity, the student has the right to ask for their  Form Tutor, Head of Year and/or parent to be present during the discussion of the incident. If a student is found to be in breach of academic honesty and a consequence is imposed, the student has the right of appeal and can do so in writing to the Head Teacher.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma and Academic Honesty

All work submitted for assessment must be the authentic work of the student. Both teacher and student must sign the coversheets for all types of coursework that are externally marked or moderated to indicate the authenticity of the work.  All work must be appropriately and comprehensively referenced. If a student is found to have not followed an appropriate referencing methodology, the student will not receive a grade.

The level of guidance given to students when undertaking internally assessed work must follow the guidelines as detailed in the appropriate subject guides. The work submitted must be that of the student.

All students are made aware of the importance of ensuring the authenticity of their work. This is done when introducing Internal Assessments and the Extended Essay. During the introduction of the Extended Essay all students undergo a refresher course in the importance academic honesty and how to reference. All work is submitted to Turnitin for appraisal. If a student submits work that is suspected of not being authentic the matter is immediately referred to the IB coordinator and DHT (Curriculum & Learning) who may decide, following an investigation, to inform IBO.

Artificial Intelligence Uses

While Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool, it is important that students are using it appropriately. For work set, an appropriate level of Artificial Intelligence usage may be shared, using the BIS HCMC AI usage guidelines. If the level of usage is not shared, students should assume that the work is 'AI free'.