Academic integrity is an essential part of the learning environment at Southside High School. Students are expected to complete their work honestly and produce work that is their own and reflects their individual level of content knowledge and skill mastery. There are many forms of academic misconduct, including, but not limited to:

• Plagiarism: the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as original.

• Self-plagiarism: resubmitting the same work for different courses or assignments without specific permission from the instructor.

• Purchasing work from another person or online, even if you paid for it.

• Using any aid that is not specifically approved by the instructor. Even if you are permitted to use an aid, assistive technology, or device in one class or by one instructor, that does not mean you can use it for all classes or assignments. When in doubt, check with your teacher.

• Providing other students with information regarding the content of an assessment.

• Looking at another student’s work or viewing work from a teacher’s materials when not specifically permitted.

• Referring to notes during an assessment without being given SPECIFIC permission to do so.

• Working with other students on an assignment that was intended to be completed individually.

• Consulting other students or adults on assignments that were intended to be completed individually.

• Knowingly allowing another student to copy your work.

• Providing electronic copies of assessment questions or schoolwork without the permission of the instructor.

AI is becoming a common part of our lives, much like a calculator or spell checker. AI tools may be useful for learning and completing certain tasks; however, their use in this classroom must follow the specific expectations established by the teacher for each assignment.

• AI-generated work is not considered a student’s own work. If an assignment is intended for students to demonstrate their individual knowledge, understanding, or skills, students may not use AI to generate all or substantial portions of the work unless the teacher has specifically given permission to do so.

• When AI use is permitted, students are responsible for following the teacher’s directions regarding how the AI tool may be used and whether its use must be identified or referenced. Using AI in a manner that is not specifically permitted by the teacher may be considered academic misconduct.

• AI parameters may be different depending on the assignment. When in doubt, ask your teacher before using AI. Students are ultimately responsible for the work they submit and should be able to explain and demonstrate their own understanding of the material.