Academic Policy

Empowering Possibilities International Charter Middle School

- Academic Honesty Policy -

EPIC Mission and Vision Statement - All Empowering Possibilities International Charter School (EPIC) students will acquire knowledge, concepts, and skills to succeed in their choice of college and career to positively contribute to both their local and global communities.

To prepare our students for the competitive global economy, EPIC Charter School will provide a safe learning environment that fosters student risk-taking, inquiry, and independent thinking skills.

Academic Honesty at EPIC - At EPIC, we believe the academic honesty policy is the foundation that directly connects scholars to the values and skills promoted by the IB learner profile. Scholars develop the attributes of the IB learner profile and clear competencies by creating original, academically honest work, properly citing sources, and through practicing self-management, research, and collaboration. We believe that the required academic honesty policy promotes scholars being fair and honest to others and themselves.

According to the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), Academic Honesty is “a set of values and skills that promote personal integrity and good practice in teaching, learning, and assessment” (IB. 2007).

What is Academic Misconduct? - At EPIC, we define academic misconduct as plagiarism, collusion, duplication of work, improper citing of others’ work, and cheating. Examples include copying off another scholar, allowing others to copy or cut and paste someone’s original work, failing to cite sources, or any other act that gives an unfair advantage. The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) defines academic dishonesty as plagiarism, collusion, and misrepresenting one’s work.

Roles and Responsibilities

Scholar responsibilities – At EPIC, scholars will adhere to the attributes of the IB Learner profile and academic honesty in promoting the development of clear competencies in creating original work and appropriate MLA style citing of work. Scholars will ask clarifying questions regarding the academic honesty policy and its provision. Scholars will hold themselves and peers to high behavioral and academic standards to inform the school or teacher if they know of academic dishonesty.

Teacher responsibilities – At EPIC, teachers will clearly define, teach and reteach the academic honesty policy to scholars through individual and group work. Teachers will support scholars in developing their responsibility for learning through supervision and mentoring to prevent academic misconduct. Teachers will educate scholars on properly citing work according to the MLA format. Teachers will inform parents of the academic honesty policy and swiftly report misconduct for appropriate consequences.

Family Responsibilities – At EPIC, families and students will review and sign the Three – Way Pledge at the start of the academic year. The pledge outlines “the importance of families and schools working together to help students achieve high academic standards” for behavioral and academic honesty. Families will help their scholars understand the importance of being an independent thinker, researcher, and collaborator.

Consequences of Academic Dishonesty – At EPIC, we believe scholars are responsible for their actions and are expected to adhere to the classroom Social Contract as well as the school rules and policies. Consequences for scholars involved in academic dishonesty will be based on teacher and administration discretion after reviewing the type and severity of the academic dishonesty violation. Consequences could include a violation notice, loss of points or no grade for the assignment, new assignment, detention, or suspension.

Communicating the Academic Honesty Policy – At EPIC, the academic honesty policy is regularly communicated to all staff, families, scholars and the school community. The policy will be posted on the EPIC website,

Reviewing the Academic Honesty Policy – At EPIC, the academic honesty policy will be reviewed and revised every two years by the MYP Coordinator and approved by the administration and staff to ensure it meets the current needs of the scholar population and technological advances.

Works Cited:

  • Academic Honesty in the IB educational context International Baccalaureate (2014)

  • Carroll, Jude (2012). “Academic Honesty in the IB” A Position Paper. International Baccalaureate Organization

  • Middle Years Programme. MYP: From principles into practice. (May 2014)

  • Plagiarism.org (2018)

  • Dictionary.com (2018)

  • EPIC Student handbook (2018-2019)

  • Merriam-webster.com (2018)