Academic Integrity is one of our core values and one of the most important areas of focus as a learning organization. Students with Academic Integrity make decisions based on ethics and values that will prepare them to be productive and ethical citizens.

An Overview

Academic integrity is the foundation for learning at Horizon Charter School (HCS). Because of its importance in all of our instruction, there are a variety of tools that we use in ensuring the integrity of student work.

Among these tools are:

Academic Integrity "Database"

HCS maintains its own database of student integrity incidences or violations. This database is used to monitor the number of student integrity issues.  Turnitin is an online service that stores millions of student papers and catalogs websites to compare student writing highlight sections of plagiarized writing.  HCS uses this service to help student learn about and correct plagiarism.

Teacher Expertise

HCS instructors have extensive classroom experience. Their expertise is often a guide in identifying the level of originality in student work.

Discussion Based/Authentic Assessments

Each teacher regularly conducts discussion based/authentic assessments with his or her students. These conversations/projects/presentations occur at specific intervals as well as randomly in a course and are included in the assessment component of each course.  The teacher discusses individual student work and extends the conversation to allow the student to demonstrate mastery of the content and to verify the authenticity of the student’s work.

Proctored Exams

Each faculty member can request a proctored exam at any time for a student.  All students agree to take at least one proctored exam (at the end of the semester) when they register to take a course.  In order to complete the course the student must pass the proctored segment exam with a 60% or greater on the first attempt.

Academic Integrity: A Student’s Guide

Academic integrity is the cornerstone of learning at Horizon Charter School (HCS).

What is academic integrity?

Academic integrity means that all work you submit is created by you and is an original representation of your work. It means that what you submit as your work is your work.

Why is academic integrity important?

When you submit an assignment that is not your own original work, you represent something incorrectly.  There are two issues involved:

1. 1. You are earning credit for learning material for which you have not demonstrated mastery.

   2. You may be violating the law.

What are some examples of academic integrity violations?

There are two kinds of academic integrity violations. One is “plagiarism” and the other is “cheating.”

Plagiarism

According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, plagiarism is “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own: use (another’s production) without crediting the source.”

Some examples are, but not limited to the following:

• Copying and pasting a report from the Internet and representing it as your own work

• Copying any other work and not properly citing authorship

Cheating

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, cheating is defined in multiple ways. But for the purposes of HCS, two definitions are particularly relevant:

• To influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice

• To practice fraud or trickery

• To violate rules dishonestly <cheat at cards> <cheating on a test>

Some examples are, but not limited to the following:

• Providing questions/answers/ work to another student

• Receiving questions/answers/work from another student

• Copying or sharing work then submitting it as original or personal work

What will happen to me if I plagiarize or cheat?

A variety of consequences will be administered when you are caught cheating or plagiarizing. These consequences range from resubmission of an assignment up to possible suspension from HCS courses, or even expulsion. Additionally, final grades may be rescinded if you are found to have cheated or plagiarized after the grade has been posted to your transcript. This means your otherwise passing grade will be changed to a "F."

• • Failure to identify an academic integrity violation early in a course does not excuse

  • the student from advanced consequences.

Roles and Responsibilities

Academic integrity is the cornerstone of learning at Horizon Charter School (HCS). Because of its importance in all of our instruction, each stakeholder has certain rights and responsibilities.

Students

HCS Belief: Students are responsible for submitting their own, original work.

• • Will read and sign the academic integrity statement

  • Will participate in a welcome call or email or a course orientation that includes components of our academic integrity program

  • Will participate in assigned assessments, following the required teacher's protocol, as part of each course

  • Are responsible for asking any questions about plagiarism or cheating if they are not sure

  • Will take a proctored exam when asked to do so

Parents

HCS Belief: Parents are our partners in supporting student learning.

• • Will review and sign the academic integrity statement as part of the enrollment process

  • Will participate in a welcome call or email, or a course orientation that includes components of our academic integrity program

  • Will ensure that their student’s work is authentic and original

  • Will ensure HCS protocol regarding any assessments is adhered to

  • Will understand the student’s proctored exam requirements. Failure of a student to take and pass an exam with a proctor will result in removal of course with a failing grade

  • Will receive, via their parent account, various academic integrity tips

  • Will be encouraged to participate in “Open Houses” to learn more about academic integrity

Instructional and Supervising Teachers

HCS Belief: Each staff member has a stake in ensuring the highest standards of academic integrity. Teachers synchronize various aspects of the curriculum to ensure the best possible experience for their students.

• • Will act as a resource for student questions

  • Will submit various assignments in the Turnitin.com database (when ready and appropriate)

  • Will coordinate any academic integrity issues with the Supervising Teacher or Administrator

  • Will verify student mastery of content through various assessments, including authentic, proctored and discussion based assessments

  • Will participate in any mandated trainings or staff development such as “coffee chats,” focus groups, or other opportunities

  • Will include academic integrity information on announcement pages and on welcome emails

Program Administrator

• Will act as a resource for student, teacher, or parent questions

• Will support teacher efforts in investigating academic integrity concerns

• Will coordinate with the various support positions to demonstrate, model, and coach teachers on discussion based assessments

• Will coordinate any discipline efforts of an academic integrity issue or concern

• Will coordinate the administration of proctored exams

• Will monitor any academic integrity situations

• Will coordinate and host “Open Houses”

• Will develop parent academic integrity information and tips to be sent to parent accounts

Reporting

If you need to report an academic integrity situation please call the following number or send an email to the address below. Please discuss as much of the following information as you are able: Student Name, Course Name, Teacher Name and situation. We appreciate you taking the time to report this situation and assisting HCS  with Academic Integrity.

• Computer Coding (for all students)

• Keyboarding/Mouse Practice

• Microsoft Educator Network

• Rosetta Stone Resources

• 7-12 Interactive Web Sites all Subjects