Academic Honesty Policy

Academic Honesty Policy

This Academic Honesty Policy covers all school-related exams, tests, quizzes, reports, class assignments, and projects, both in and out of class. Its purpose is to prepare students for the real world of college and beyond, where cheating and plagiarism have dire consequences. NIS expects all students to abide by ethical academic standards. Academic dishonesty — including plagiarism, cheating or unauthorized helping, copying the work of another, using technology for illicit purposes, or any unauthorized communication between students to gain advantage during an examination — is strictly prohibited.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Plagiarism: The presenting of other peoples’ words, ideas, or work as one’s own.

• Cheating: The use of aids to do tests, class work, or homework that is not sanctioned by the teacher. This can include but is not limited to “cheat sheets”, copying from another student’s test or homework, having others do your work, taking photos of answer keys, etc.

• Falsifying Documents: Using fake signatures on school forms or other documents.

• Assisting Academic Dishonesty: Helping other students to do any of the above-listed areas. This includes letting someone copy your test/quiz/homework, doing another student’s work for them, etc.

Plagiarism and cheating are not the same as cooperation or collaboration. Teachers often expect and encourage students to work on assignments in collaboration with others. Collaboration is to work together (with permission) in a joint intellectual effort.

The determination that a student has engaged in academic dishonesty will be based on specific evidence provided by the classroom teacher or other school staff, taking into consideration written materials, observation, or information from others. Evidence will be presented to the appropriate Administrator.

The academic penalty for students found to have engaged in academic dishonesty includes no credit awarded for affected assignments or exams. Further disciplinary consequences will also result according to the Student Behavior Code.